| Publication |
2010.
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| Summary/Abstract |
This article explores the performance of ethno-linguistic representation in the national parliament of India, analyzing language practices in debates and ceremonies. Despite a policy of official multilingualism, strong institutional norms prioritize English or Hindi as the two official languages of parliament. However, regional languages are more popular in some forms of debate and ceremonies than others, particularly in the oath/affirmation as a means of affirming cultural identity. I identify three narratives-functional, instrumental, and affective-that Members of Parliament employ to explain language practices in parliament and to show how parliamentary multilingualism is associated with some ethno-linguistic communities more than others.
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