Events

TAPSA: Half-Castes and Parts: Labels and Language Use for Constructions of Mixedness in Fiji

Thursday, November 21, 2024 – 5pm, Foster 103 

Steven Castro, PhD Candidate, Department of Linguistics, University of Chicago

This project investigates the utilization of linguistic labels to reflect how race and by extension, mixedness, are conceptualized in Fiji. Looking primarily at individuals who are racially mixed variations of Indian, Fijian, and European, this study shows how linguistic labels are used not only to reflect the performance and understanding of mixedness, but how mixed individuals are able to fluidly use these terms in ways that imbue them with layers of additional social and raciolinguistic meaning.