The New Political Discourse of Roma Activism: The International Romani Movement and the Language of National Self-Determination

Abstract

Language and discourse are basic tools in political mobilization, interaction, negotiation, and legitimization. This article discusses discourse as a form of social action in the processes of politicization of Romani ethnogenesis and in the construction of Romani nationhood. The main research questions focus on the political language that the International Romani Movement (IRM) has been seeking to forge (mainly in the last two decades), on the alternative frames it can provide, and its unifying potential, serving as the basis for collective national identity. This new political discourse is viewed as performing several functions: creating a sense of homogeneity, devising strategies for interaction and self-reflexivity, providing collective coping mechanisms against internal divisions or external threats, and aiming at positive representation through normative transformation. Answers are sought to questions regarding how old and new values, meanings and traditions should be embodied in the language of Romani ethnonationalism, or when dealing with taboo and sensitive issues. A multiperspectival framework has been applied to analyse interviews, field data, and selected texts from Roma policy documents, media publications, and public speeches. Conclusions have been made regarding the choice of power relations Roma resolve to engage in and the contextual factors for achieving legitimacy.