TY  - JOUR
A1  - Deffa, Oromiya-Jalata
T1  - The impact of homogeneity on intra-group cohesion: a macro-level comparison of minority communities in a Western diaspora
JF  - Journal of multilingual and multicultural development
N2  - Contrary to earlier studies dealing with the cultural identity development of diasporic minorities, this paper assesses the impact of homogeneity on intra-group cohesion and ethnic orientation. To this end, Oromo-Americans, an ethnic group originally located within the national borders of Ethiopia, will be compared to Armenian-Americans, British-Pakistanis and Somali-Americans. Despite different circumstances, all four groups share the experience of displacement owing to war and destitution. Additionally, all groups are confronted with the ramifications of a visible minority status. In the process of comparing these groups, their degrees of homogeneity in regard to language and religion - central aspects of culture and cultural identity - will be examined and juxtaposed at a macro level. Based on the correlative relationship of group homogeneity and social cohesion, I argue that the more homogeneous a group is in terms of language and religion, the more close-knit it will be. Consequently, exiled minorities who share the same language and religion are more likely to develop and retain a strong ethnic orientation than groups who are heterogeneous with regard to language and/or religion.
KW  - minority groups
KW  - Homogeneity
KW  - ethnic orientation
KW  - group cohesion
KW  - religion
KW  - language
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2015.1072203
SN  - 0143-4632
SN  - 1747-7557
VL  - 37
SP  - 343
EP  - 356
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Abingdon
ER  - 
TY  - THES
A1  - Deffa, Oromiya-Jalata
T1  - Discursive Construction of Bicultural Identity
BT  - a cross-generational sociolinguistic study on Oromo-Americans in Minnesota
T2  - Duisburger Arbeiten zur Sprach- und Kulturwissenschaft ; 113
N2  - The author examines the cultural identity development of Oromo-Americans in Minnesota, an ethnic group originally located within the national borders of Ethiopia. Earlier studies on language and cultural identity have shown that the degree of ethnic orientation of minorities commonly decreases from generation to generation. Yet oppression and a visible minority status were identified as factors delaying the process of de-ethnicization. Given that Oromos fled persecution in Ethiopia and are confronted with the ramifications of a visible minority status in the U.S., it can be expected that they have retained strong ties to their ethnic culture. This study, however, came to a more complex and theory-building result.
Y1  - 2016
SN  - 978-3-631-67312-6
PB  - Lang
CY  - Frankfurt am Main
ER  -