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  -