Karatsareas, P. 2025. Forthcoming. περίττου σαν τους Έλληνες ‘more like the Greeks’: linguistic cleavages and authenticity in London’s Greek Cypriot diaspora. in: Hadodo, M., Karatsareas, P. and Ioannidoui, E. (ed.) Greek in minoritized contexts: identities, authenticities, and institutions London Routledge.
| Chapter title | περίττου σαν τους Έλληνες ‘more like the Greeks’: linguistic cleavages and authenticity in London’s Greek Cypriot diaspora |
|---|---|
| Authors | Karatsareas, P. |
| Editors | Hadodo, M., Karatsareas, P. and Ioannidoui, E. |
| Abstract | In this chapter, I explore linguistic differences between London’s Greek Cypriot diaspora and the homeland of Cyprus, foregrounding the emic perspectives of London-born Greek Cypriots. The thematic analysis of interview transcripts reveals deep linguistic and cultural divides between the two groups. London-born Greek Cypriots perceive the Greek spoken in Cyprus as having lost distinctive Cypriot elements, favouring Standard Greek features. This perception is rooted in sociopolitical and cultural factors, including improved economic conditions in Cyprus, Europeanization, and the abandonment of traditional (or ‘villagey’) ways. In contrast, the diaspora is constructed as a stronghold of authentic Cypriot identity, resisting change and modernisation against changes in Cyprus, with participants, however, downplaying their own linguistic and cultural innovations. The chapter, therefore, contributes nuanced insights into the complex dynamics between diasporic communities and their originating homelands, highlighting the impact of sociohistorical conditions on identity transformations. |
| Book title | Greek in minoritized contexts: identities, authenticities, and institutions |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 05 Dec 2024 |
| Published in print | 2025 |
| Place of publication | London |
| Series | Critical Studies in Multilingualism |
| ISBN | 9781032217147 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003269694-7 |
| File | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |