In this Hebrew language learning setting, students' backgrounds and histories are
diverse: some were born and raised in Canada, the United States, or South Africa and
studied Hebrew at Jewish day schools; others were born in the former USSR, immigrated
to Israel as children, and moved to Canada with their families as teenagers; others were
children of Israeli emigrants who learned Hebrew at home. This ethnographic qualitative
study examines two conflicting camps within the Hebrew class, defined by themselves
and Othered by opposing sub-groups as "Canadians" and "Israelis". As the students and
the author negotiate their strong ties to the language with Othering and exclusion by other
sub-groups from the dominant speech community, the sentiment of the Israeli emigrant
professor regarding her students hangs overhead: "None of them are Israelis. None of
them are native speakers of Hebrew." Who does this language belong to? Which subgroup
can declare authenticity as real, rightful owners of the language and its indelible
culture and identity?
As language programs worldwide deal with a diverse and heterogeneous student population who enter the classroom
categorized as heritage, second, bilingual, foreign, or native language speakers, this book addresses clashing and Othering
between sub-groups over the authenticity of the variety of the language and its speakers, and who can rightfully claim the
language as their own.