4 Eating at the border. Gastronomy, regional identity and the Alsatian dialect
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Katharina Vajta
Abstract
In Alsace, the German dialect Alsatian has been spoken for centuries and serves as a significant marker of cultural identity. However, it is now in decline, raising the question of what might replace it as a regional identity marker. Emerging evidence suggests that food may take on this role, particularly following the recent branding initiatives of the Marque Alsace.
Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that combines linguistic landscape studies with food and tourism studies, this article explores the interplay between dialect and food heritage within the Alsatian foodscape. Specifically, it investigates how food and dialect interact in constructing identity and how both language and food function as markers of regional identity.
The study builds on material collected from restaurants in the historic centre of Strasbourg, including their websites and menus. The findings reveal that the dialect is used to name emblematic regional dishes on menus and as decorative elements in some restaurant spaces. Ultimately, the use of Alsatian in naming regional dishes contributes to the authentication of food as rooted in regional tradition, enhancing the experience of dining and adding value to the culinary encounter.
Abstract
In Alsace, the German dialect Alsatian has been spoken for centuries and serves as a significant marker of cultural identity. However, it is now in decline, raising the question of what might replace it as a regional identity marker. Emerging evidence suggests that food may take on this role, particularly following the recent branding initiatives of the Marque Alsace.
Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that combines linguistic landscape studies with food and tourism studies, this article explores the interplay between dialect and food heritage within the Alsatian foodscape. Specifically, it investigates how food and dialect interact in constructing identity and how both language and food function as markers of regional identity.
The study builds on material collected from restaurants in the historic centre of Strasbourg, including their websites and menus. The findings reveal that the dialect is used to name emblematic regional dishes on menus and as decorative elements in some restaurant spaces. Ultimately, the use of Alsatian in naming regional dishes contributes to the authentication of food as rooted in regional tradition, enhancing the experience of dining and adding value to the culinary encounter.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- About this book V
- Table of Contents VII
- List of Authors IX
- Towards non-unidisciplinary European Studies 1
-
Part I: Thinking about the “How’s” and “Why’s” of Non-unidisciplinary European Studies
- 1 What is European Studies? 17
- 2 A conceptual guide to non-unidisciplinary research in European Studies 35
- 3 European Studies as an interdisciplinary research field? A comprehensive empirical analysis of interdisciplinarity in European Studies 61
-
Part II: Doing Non-unidisciplinary European Studies
- 4 Eating at the border. Gastronomy, regional identity and the Alsatian dialect 83
- 5 Ernesto Dethorey, a cultural mediator from the exile. Journalism, translation and networking 107
- 6 Exploring the potential of comics-based research: Concepts, examples and considerations 127
- 7 European research at the University of Gothenburg: Multi- and interdisciplinarity 157
- Index
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- About this book V
- Table of Contents VII
- List of Authors IX
- Towards non-unidisciplinary European Studies 1
-
Part I: Thinking about the “How’s” and “Why’s” of Non-unidisciplinary European Studies
- 1 What is European Studies? 17
- 2 A conceptual guide to non-unidisciplinary research in European Studies 35
- 3 European Studies as an interdisciplinary research field? A comprehensive empirical analysis of interdisciplinarity in European Studies 61
-
Part II: Doing Non-unidisciplinary European Studies
- 4 Eating at the border. Gastronomy, regional identity and the Alsatian dialect 83
- 5 Ernesto Dethorey, a cultural mediator from the exile. Journalism, translation and networking 107
- 6 Exploring the potential of comics-based research: Concepts, examples and considerations 127
- 7 European research at the University of Gothenburg: Multi- and interdisciplinarity 157
- Index
