DOCSLIB.ORG

SAINTS Spatial Identities of the Citizens of Saint Helena

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
SAINTS Spatial Identities of the Citizens of Saint Helena SAINTS Spatial identities of the citizens of Saint Helena Master’s thesis Human Geography University of Utrecht – the Netherlands By Maarten Hogenstijn Daniël van Middelkoop 1 SAINTS: SPATIAL IDENTITIES OF THE CITIZENS OF SAINT HELENA TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 Where? ............................................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 Why? ............................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Central question .............................................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 2 Theoretical framework ............................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Insularity ......................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.1 Insularity and economy .............................................................................................................. 8 2.1.2 Insularity and peripherality......................................................................................................... 9 2.1.3 Insularity and social structure................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Scale.............................................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.1 Hierarchy of scales ................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.2 Scale as size, level and relation ................................................................................................ 13 2.3 Spatial identity .............................................................................................................................. 14 2.3.1 Social identity........................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.2 Territorialisation of identity ..................................................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Scale and spatial identities........................................................................................................ 15 2.3.4 National identity....................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.5 Home ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Part I: Saint Helena now .................................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 3 Saint Helena in the wider world ............................................................................................... 22 3.1 The historical position of Saint Helena ......................................................................................... 22 3.1.1 Discovery and early exploration............................................................................................... 22 3.1.2 East India Company ................................................................................................................. 23 3.1.3 Napoleon Bonaparte ................................................................................................................. 26 3.1.4 Crown dependency................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.5 Conclusion................................................................................................................................ 32 3.2 Saint Helena’s current political position ....................................................................................... 32 3.2.1 The last colonies....................................................................................................................... 33 3.2.2 Colonial Saint Helena............................................................................................................... 35 3.3 Saint Helena’s economic place in the wider world ....................................................................... 36 3.3.1 Historical legacy....................................................................................................................... 37 3.3.2 Aid recipient............................................................................................................................. 39 3.3.3 Contributions to the global economy........................................................................................ 40 3.3.4 MIRAB..................................................................................................................................... 45 3.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 47 Chapter 4 Saint Helena Island................................................................................................................... 49 4.1 Landscape...................................................................................................................................... 49 4.1.1 Geology .................................................................................................................................... 49 4.1.2 Physical Geography.................................................................................................................. 50 4.1.3 Climate ..................................................................................................................................... 51 4.1.4 Flora ......................................................................................................................................... 52 4.1.5 Fauna ........................................................................................................................................ 53 4.1.6 Land(scape) as resource ........................................................................................................... 54 4.2 Population ..................................................................................................................................... 58 4.3 Social structure.............................................................................................................................. 61 4.3.1 Personal experience.................................................................................................................. 61 4.3.2 Family life ................................................................................................................................ 63 2 4.3.3 Religion .................................................................................................................................... 66 4.3.4 Education.................................................................................................................................. 67 4.3.5 Other social issues.................................................................................................................... 70 4.3.6 Resourcefulness vs. dependency .............................................................................................. 72 4.4 Local economic structure .............................................................................................................. 73 4.4.1 Large percentage of the workforce offshore............................................................................. 74 4.4.2 Large public sector, small private sector .................................................................................. 78 4.4.3 Small market............................................................................................................................. 80 4.4.4 Lack of commercial bank ......................................................................................................... 81 4.4.5 Lack of entrepreneurship.......................................................................................................... 82 4.4.6 Conclusion................................................................................................................................ 83 4.5 Political structure .......................................................................................................................... 83 4.6 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 85 Chapter 5 Regional differentiation............................................................................................................ 87 5.1 Town and country ......................................................................................................................... 87 5.2 Districts ......................................................................................................................................... 88 5.2.1 Jamestown ................................................................................................................................ 89 5.2.2 Half Tree Hollow.....................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Political Change in Dominica, the Commonwealth West Indies. Cuthbert J
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 1-1-1973 From crown colony to associate statehood : political change in Dominica, the Commonwealth West Indies. Cuthbert J. Thomas University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1 Recommended Citation Thomas, Cuthbert J., "From crown colony to associate statehood : political change in Dominica, the Commonwealth West Indies." (1973). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 1879. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/1879 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ^^^^^^^ ^0 ASSOCIATE STATEHOOD: CHANGE POLITICAL IN DOMINICA, THE COMMONWEALTH WEST INDIES A Dissertation Presented By CUTHBERT J. THOMAS Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY May 1973 Major Subject Political Science C\ithbert J. Thomas 1973 All Rights Reserved FROM CROV/N COLONY TO ASSOCIATE STATEHOOD: POLITICAL CHANGE IN DOMINICA, THE COMMONWEALTH WEST INDIES A Dissertation By CUTHBERT J. THOMAS Approved as to stylq and content by; Dr. Harvey "T. Kline (Chairman of Committee) Dr. Glen Gorden (Head of Department) Dr» Gerard Braunthal^ (Member) C 1 Dro George E. Urch (Member) May 1973 To the Youth of Dominica who wi3.1 replace these colonials before long PREFACE My interest in Comparative Government dates back to ray days at McMaster University during the 1969-1970 academic year.
    [Show full text]
  • Telephone Directory 2019
    St Helena and Ascension Island Tel ephone Directory 2019 1 www.sure.co.sh [email protected] +290 22900 Contents: Residential Listing ……………….pg. 13 Customer Care Centre 22900 Government Listing …………….pg. 85 Directory Enquiries 22222 Business Listing …………………..pg. 98 Internet Helpline 24000 E-mail ……………………………….. pg. 119 Free SURE Service Numbers Emergency Planning…………..pg. 170 24/7 Faults 121 Ascension Island Listing ……. pg. 177 Mobile Helpline 111 (Mobile Helpline: can only be called from a mobile) Cover Photograph: © Craig Williams Emergency Numbers Police 999 Contacts: Fire Service 999 [email protected] Ambulance 911 www.sure.co.sh 1 About Us For over 114 years Sure South Atlantic (formally Cable and Wireless) has been providing connectivity to countries throughout the world via their national and internat ional telecoms networks. Today, Sure South Atlantic Limited is licensed by the St Helena Government to provide international public telecommunications services to the Island of St Helena. Our services include National & International Telephone, Public Internet and Television Re-Broadcast. Sure continues to invest in the network infrastructure on St Helena and our international satellite links, enabling us to offer robust, high quality communication services for both residential and business customers. In April 2013 the company was acquired by the Batelco Group, a leading telecommunications provider to 16 markets spanning the Middle East & Northern Africa, Europe and the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean. This marks the start of an exciting new phase for our business, as we join an international organization which is committed to delivering value and unsurpassed customer service. To underpin the important changes to our business, with effect from 15th July 2013 we changed our name from Cable & Wireless South Atlantic Ltd to Sure South Atlantic Limited.
    [Show full text]
  • St Helena Celebrates Cultural Diversity on St Helena's
    www.sams.sh THE South Atlantic Media Services, Ltd. Vol. 9,SENTINEL Issue 10 - Price: £1 “serving St Helena and her community worldwide” Thursday 27 May 2021 St Helena celebrates Cultural Diversity on St Helena’s Day Proposals to allow wealthy people purchase Permanent Residency “well received” say SHG The Global Saint Community New Burial Ground identified for Map by Saint Cooks “Liberated Africans” 2 www.sams.sh Thursday 27 May 2021 | THE SENTINEL THE SENTINEL | Thursday 27 May 2021 www.sams.sh 3 OPINION YOUR LETTERS ST HELENA NEWS SENTINEL Quiet Magistrate’s Court £2m under spend in SHG budget session predicted COMMENT Andrew Turner, SAMS Andrew Turner, SAMS Andrew Turner, SAMS overseas medical referral budget St Helena’s future is now resting and the TC budget not being fully in the hands of the UK Governments utilised. Privy Council who will decide on There was also an over collection the constitutional amendments of customs duties and an under needed to change St Helena from its collection in revenue in the Children current system of Governance to the and Adults Social Care Directorate Ministerial System. of £54k because fewer individuals Amendments to St Helena’s are eligible/able to pay for care constitution can only be made by services. a UK Order in Council which is an Order made by the Queen acting on According to the report of the the advice of the Privy Council. meeting, “Deputy Financial But what is the Privy Council and Secretary explained that there is this really the right group to be might be further changes to the deciding our fate? It was a comparatively quiet Thomas “in a hostile manner.” SHG is predicting an under spend of £2m was indicated, which was final outturn position as year-end Essentially the Privy Council is an session of the St Helena Magistrates According to the Magistrates of £2m for this financial year.
    [Show full text]
  • Deconstructing Windhoek: the Urban Morphology of a Post-Apartheid City
    No. 111 DECONSTRUCTING WINDHOEK: THE URBAN MORPHOLOGY OF A POST-APARTHEID CITY Fatima Friedman August 2000 Working Paper No. 111 DECONSTRUCTING WINDHOEK: THE URBAN MORPHOLOGY OF A POST-APARTHEID CITY Fatima Friedman August 2000 DECONSTRUCTING WINDHOEK: THE URBAN MORPHOLOGY OF A POST-APARTHEID CITY Contents PREFACE 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 2. WINDHOEK CONTEXTUALISED ....................................................................... 2 2.1 Colonising the City ......................................................................................... 3 2.2 The Apartheid Legacy in an Independent Windhoek ..................................... 7 2.2.1 "People There Don't Even Know What Poverty Is" .............................. 8 2.2.2 "They Have a Different Culture and Lifestyle" ...................................... 10 3. ON SEGREGATION AND EXCLUSION: A WINDHOEK PROBLEMATIC ........ 11 3.1 Re-Segregating Windhoek ............................................................................. 12 3.2 Race vs. Socio-Economics: Two Sides of the Segragation Coin ................... 13 3.3 Problematising De/Segregation ...................................................................... 16 3.3.1 Segregation and the Excluders ............................................................. 16 3.3.2 Segregation and the Excluded: Beyond Desegregation ....................... 17 4. SUBURBANISING WINDHOEK: TOWARDS GREATER INTEGRATION? ....... 19 4.1 The Municipality's
    [Show full text]
  • (EIA) Undertaken for the 3-Dimensional (3D) Marine Seismic Survey Programme Proposed by GALP Through Its Namibian Subsidiary Windhoek PEL 23 B.V
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This document presents the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken for the 3-dimensional (3D) marine seismic survey programme proposed by GALP through its Namibian subsidiary Windhoek PEL 23 B.V. in the PEL82, in Namibia. This document has been prepared by Environmental Resources Management Iberia S.A (ERM). The proposed survey area lies 100 km west of the closest point in the Namibian coast and 190 km Northwest from Walvis Bay, in water depths varying between 200 and 1,800 meters. Windhoek PEL 23 B.V. intends to acquire approximately 3,000 full fold km 2 of seismic area (see Figure 0.1 ). Figure 0.1 Location of PEL82 Source: ERM, 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT WI NDHOEK PEL 23 B.V. 8 Legislation, legal and institutional framework standards In Namibia, the main environmental institution is the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). It is the competent body responsible for aspects related with natural resources management, conservation and environment, including environmental management of in-country resources and approval of all sector EIAs. Key regulations, legislation, as well as international conventions and standards relevant to the Project, are summarized in Table 0.1. Table 0.1 Key Namibian regulations and international conventions relevant to the Project Thematic Reference National Environment Environmental Management Act (Act 7 of 2007 Framework Nature Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance 4 of 1975), Nature Conservation Amendment Act (Act 5 of 1996) Marine Resources Act (Act 27 of 2000) Hydrocarbons Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. Act 2 of 1991. Amended by the Petroleum Laws Amendment Act, 1998 Petroleum Act Regulations, 1991.
    [Show full text]
  • Köppen Signatures” of Fossil Plant Assemblages for Effective Heat Transport of Gulf Stream to Subarctic North Atlantic During Miocene Cooling
    Biogeosciences, 10, 7927–7942, 2013 Open Access www.biogeosciences.net/10/7927/2013/ doi:10.5194/bg-10-7927-2013 Biogeosciences © Author(s) 2013. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Evidence from “Köppen signatures” of fossil plant assemblages for effective heat transport of Gulf Stream to subarctic North Atlantic during Miocene cooling T. Denk1, G. W. Grimm1, F. Grímsson2, and R. Zetter2 1Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Palaeobiology, Box 50007, 10405 Stockholm, Sweden 2University of Vienna, Department of Palaeontology, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria Correspondence to: T. Denk ([email protected]) Received: 8 July 2013 – Published in Biogeosciences Discuss.: 15 August 2013 Revised: 29 October 2013 – Accepted: 2 November 2013 – Published: 6 December 2013 Abstract. Shallowing of the Panama Sill and the closure 1 Introduction of the Central American Seaway initiated the modern Loop Current–Gulf Stream circulation pattern during the Miocene, The Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO) at 17–15 but no direct evidence has yet been provided for effec- million years (Myr) was the last phase of markedly warm cli- tive heat transport to the northern North Atlantic during mate in the Cenozoic (Zachos et al., 2001). The MMCO was that time. Climatic signals from 11 precisely dated plant- followed by the Mid-Miocene Climate Transition (MMCT) bearing sedimentary rock formations in Iceland, spanning at 14.2–13.8 Myr correlated with the growth of the East 15–0.8 million years (Myr), resolve the impacts of the devel- Antarctic Ice Sheet (Shevenell et al., 2004). In the Northern oping Miocene global thermohaline circulation on terrestrial Hemisphere this cooling is reflected by continuous sea ice in vegetation in the subarctic North Atlantic region.
    [Show full text]
  • CISO Alliances Windhoek 2018 Results
    Windhoek Chapter 13th November 2018 Results // 1 Alliance - ‘A union formed for mutual benefit’ 08:30 – 09:00 Registration 09:00 – 09:20 Housekeeping, purpose driver and format reminder Russell Nel – Director Southern Africa – CISO Alliances Tom Williams – Director Namibia – CISO Alliances Session 1 9:20 - 9:35 - Use Case Overview 9:35 - 10:00 - Open Forum Does the Namibian IT climate understand what InfoSec is? Russell Nel – Director Southern Africa – CISO Alliances Session 2 10:00 - 10:15 - Use Case Overview 10:15 - 10:45 - Open Forum What are we missing with regard to InfoSec within our business’? Russell Nel – Director Southern Africa – CISO Alliances 10:45 - 11:10 Networking Break Session 3 11:10 - 11:35 - Use Case Overview 11:35 - 12:00 - Open Forum Molecular Security Sonja Coetzer – Solutions Advocate – Salt Essential IT 12:00 - 13:00 Networking Lunch Session 4 13:00 - 13:15 - Use Case Overview 13:15 - 14:00 - Open Forum Unconference Russell Nel – Director Southern Africa – CISO Alliances Tom Williams – Director Namibia – CISO Alliances Session 5 14:00 - 14:15 - Use Case Overview 14:15 - 14:45 - Open Forum Go your own way Russell Nel – Director Southern Africa – CISO Alliances Richard Bastiaans Tiaan Bazuin Holger Bössow Derick Briers Head Information CEO Head IT Security CEO Communication Namibian Stock Standard Bank inTouch Technology Exchange Interactive Nedbank Namibia Marketing Shaun Fobian Valerie Garises Martin Hamukwaya Marsorry Ickua Manager: CTO Information System Director: IT Security Officer Information And Namibia Institute
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan Da Cunha
    Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha NON-INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES NO ADVANCEMENT (formerly called Saint Helena) In 2013, Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan de Cunha made no advancement in efforts to prevent the worst forms of child labor. Although no information suggests that the worst forms of child labor are a problem, gaps exist in the legal framework to prevent children from involvement in the worst forms of child labor. The Government lacks legislation prescribing a minimum age for work, and it is unclear whether a list of hazardous occupations exists for children. It also is unclear whether laws exist regarding the use of children for drug trafficking or other illicit activities. These gaps may make children vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor. I. PREVALENCE AND SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD LABOR Research found no evidence that child labor exists in Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.(1) II. LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR British Overseas Territories (OTs) are territories under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom (UK), but they do not form part of the UK. They are self-governing, except in the areas of foreign affairs and defense. Domestic UK Law does not generally apply to OTs, unless explicitly extended.(2) The following conventions have been extended to Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha (Table 1). Table 1. Ratification of International Conventions on Child Labor Convention Ratification ILO C. 138, Minimum Age ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor UN CRC UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons The Government has established a few relevant laws and regulations related to child labor, including its worst forms (Table 2).
    [Show full text]
  • Immigrant Visa Issuances by Post June 2021 (FY 2021)
    Immigrant Visa Issuances by Post June 2021 (FY 2021) Post Visa Class Issuances Abidjan CR1 10 Abidjan DV 8 Abidjan F1 5 Abidjan F2B 1 Abidjan F4 8 Abidjan FX 33 Abidjan IR1 10 Abidjan IR2 18 Abidjan IR5 14 Abu Dhabi CR1 39 Abu Dhabi DV 29 Abu Dhabi E1 1 Abu Dhabi E3 81 Abu Dhabi F1 14 Abu Dhabi F2B 7 Abu Dhabi F3 12 Abu Dhabi F4 60 Abu Dhabi FX 16 Abu Dhabi I5 3 Abu Dhabi IR1 89 Abu Dhabi IR2 17 Abu Dhabi IR5 84 Abu Dhabi SB1 9 Abu Dhabi SE 4 Accra CR1 1 Accra E3 15 Accra F1 15 Accra F2B 4 Accra F3 22 Accra F4 13 Accra FX 23 Accra IR1 35 Accra IR2 48 Accra IR5 41 Accra SB1 9 Accra SE 32 Addis Ababa CR1 17 Addis Ababa DV 9 Addis Ababa E1 1 Addis Ababa F1 12 Addis Ababa F2B 13 Addis Ababa F3 5 Page 1 of 34 Immigrant Visa Issuances by Post June 2021 (FY 2021) Post Visa Class Issuances Addis Ababa FX 125 Addis Ababa IR1 90 Addis Ababa IR2 83 Addis Ababa IR5 47 Addis Ababa SB1 4 Addis Ababa SE 57 AIT Taipei DV 2 AIT Taipei E1 6 AIT Taipei E2 18 AIT Taipei E3 5 AIT Taipei EW 1 AIT Taipei F1 15 AIT Taipei F2B 1 AIT Taipei F3 12 AIT Taipei F4 92 AIT Taipei FX 36 AIT Taipei I5 33 AIT Taipei IR1 11 AIT Taipei IR2 6 AIT Taipei IR3 7 AIT Taipei IR5 30 AIT Taipei SB1 30 Algiers CR1 26 Algiers DV 45 Algiers F4 2 Algiers FX 23 Algiers IR1 42 Algiers IR2 9 Algiers IR5 30 Algiers SE 5 Almaty CR1 1 Almaty DV 134 Almaty E3 4 Almaty F1 1 Almaty F2B 1 Almaty FX 49 Almaty IB1 1 Almaty IR1 4 Almaty IR2 6 Almaty IR5 58 Amman CR1 8 Amman CR2 1 Page 2 of 34 Immigrant Visa Issuances by Post June 2021 (FY 2021) Post Visa Class Issuances Amman DV 57 Amman E2 6 Amman
    [Show full text]
  • Anguilla: a Tourism Success Story?
    Visions in Leisure and Business Volume 14 Number 4 Article 4 1996 Anguilla: A Tourism Success Story? Paul F. Wilkinson York University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/visions Recommended Citation Wilkinson, Paul F. (1996) "Anguilla: A Tourism Success Story?," Visions in Leisure and Business: Vol. 14 : No. 4 , Article 4. Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/visions/vol14/iss4/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at ScholarWorks@BGSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Visions in Leisure and Business by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@BGSU. ANGUILLA: A TOURISM SUCCESS STORY? BY DR. PAUL F. WILKINSON, PROFESSOR FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES YORK UNIVERSITY 4700KEELE STREET NORTH YORK, ONTARIO CANADA MJJ 1P3 ABSTRACT More than any other Caribbean community, the Anguillans [sic )1 have Anguilla is a Caribbean island microstate the sense of home. The land has been that has undergone dramatic tourism growth, theirs immemorially; no humiliation passing through the early stages of Butler's attaches to it. There are no Great tourist cycle model to the "development" houses2 ; there arenot even ruins. (32) stage. This pattern is related to deliberate government policy and planning decisions, including a policy of not having a limit to INTRODUCTION tourism growth. The resulting economic dependence on tourism has led to positive Anguilla is a Caribbean island microstate economic benefits (e.g., high GDP per that has undergone dramatic tourism growth, capita, low unemployment, and significant passing through the early stages of Butler's localinvolvement in the industry). (3) tourist cycle model to the "development" stage.
    [Show full text]
  • Geologists' Experience of St Helena
    www.sams.sh THE South Atlantic Media Services, Ltd. RMS COUNTDOWN Vol. 6,SENTINEL Issue 42 - Price: £1 “serving St Helena and her community worldwide” ThursdayL 25 January 2018 Geologists’ Experience of St Helena Researchers discuss their ‘ground- breaking’ work, and the significance of our island, as sampling concludes “The people on the island were all so very nice to us[...] the fact that everyone we spoke to was so interested in what we were doing, and so many people were really cooperating with us to make this fieldwork the very best possible, that is something that I couldn't have dreamed of.” ... page 7 Creative Also Inside... Saint Helena This Week’s One-off Extra Book Flight Lands Now on 5 Same day SEABED WORKER arrives in Bay Amazon Kindle World ARC Rally Stops Off ... page 11 at St Helena 6 Stays at James Bay 72 hours The RMS: From Beginning to End ... page 9 (25, 28) Remembering The Doctor 10 “St Helena’s greatest friend” Around the World in 80 Saints 12 Luke Stroud: Swindon Stand a chance to win a VALENTINE’S BALL TICKET from the GOD FATHERS ROCK CLUB, by buying and retaining this Sentinel. ... details on page 32 2 www.sams.sh Thursday 25 January 2018 | THE SENTINEL OPINION YOUR LETTERS Son Leroy and daughter Gemma of Hello sams, the late Deborah Ann Green would SENTINEL like to sincerely thank everyone who I would like to request an email contributed in anyway at the time of her friend resident on St Helena through death and the funeral service.
    [Show full text]
  • An Overlooked Colonial English of Europe: the Case of Gibraltar
    .............................................................................................................................................................................................................WORK IN PROGESS WORK IN PROGRESS TOMASZ PACIORKOWSKI DOI: 10.15290/CR.2018.23.4.05 Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań An Overlooked Colonial English of Europe: the Case of Gibraltar Abstract. Gibraltar, popularly known as “The Rock”, has been a British overseas territory since the Treaty of Utrecht was signed in 1713. The demographics of this unique colony reflect its turbulent past, with most of the population being of Spanish, Portuguese or Italian origin (Garcia 1994). Additionally, there are prominent minorities of Indians, Maltese, Moroccans and Jews, who have also continued to influence both the culture and the languages spoken in Gibraltar (Kellermann 2001). Despite its status as the only English overseas territory in continental Europe, Gibraltar has so far remained relatively neglected by scholars of sociolinguistics, new dialect formation, and World Englishes. The paper provides a summary of the current state of sociolinguistic research in Gibraltar, focusing on such aspects as identity formation, code-switching, language awareness, language attitudes, and norms. It also delineates a plan for further research on code-switching and national identity following the 2016 Brexit referendum. Keywords: Gibraltar, code-switching, sociolinguistics, New Englishes, dialect formation, Brexit. 1. Introduction Gibraltar is located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and measures just about 6 square kilometres. This small size, however, belies an extraordinarily complex political history and social fabric. In the Brexit referendum of 23rd of June 2016, the inhabitants of Gibraltar overwhelmingly expressed their willingness to continue belonging to the European Union, yet at the moment it appears that they will be forced to follow the decision of the British govern- ment and leave the EU (Garcia 2016).
    [Show full text]