This sociolinguistic study addresses the relationship between religion, language and ethnicity in Belarus. We are currently observing the transition of religion from the social to the private sphere, as well as the disappearance of its significance for national identity. Language plays an important role in these processes.

The book discusses the sociolinguistic status and prestige of the Polish language and the changes in the national identity of Catholics in Belarus due to the switch from Polish to Belarusian in the Catholic Church. The research shows that the national identification of Catholics in Belarus is changing. The oldest generations most often self-identify as Polish. For those from the middle and youngest generations, the link between nationality and their religion is not obvious as being a Catholic does not exclude a Belarusian self-identity. Belonging to the Catholic Church results from being baptized in the Catholic rite, while national identity can be defined in many ways and re-defined by various life experiences. Catholicism has proven to be a less debated and more durable category than nationality.

Autorentext

Ewa Golachowska is a linguist and Professor at the Institute of Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences. Her research interests include sociolinguistics and the relations among religion, languages and identity. She is the author of numerous sociolinguistic articles.

Inhalt

Linguistic problems of the Catholic Church in Belarus in the twentieth century in secondary sources - Functioning of Polish in Catholic Communities in Belarus - Symbolic importance of Belarusian - Multilingualism in the sacred sphere - Languages in the sacred sphere and their communicative function - Changes since the Second Vatican Council - Polish and Belarusian in the practice of the Catholic Church in Belarus in the twenty-first century - Language of catechesis - Language of sermons - Language of the liturgy - Language of prayer - National identity of Catholics in Belarus at the beginning of the twenty-first century