Representations de la communaute linguistique dans une famillie francophone de Suisse romande (Representations of the Linguistic Community in a Francophone Family in French-Speaking Switzerland).

Representations of speakers cannot be reduced to categories pre-established by the researcher, whether these correspond to the norm, theory, or common sense. The representational content is organized and works within the interview. Its analysis can allow one to trace different levels of community integration of the speakers that do not necessarily coincide with geopolitical limits. Thus, while the definition of the French-speaking part of Switzerland is necessarily in reference to the Germanic world on one hand, it also brings into play the whole European French-speaking community, not only France. In terms of the system, the existence of a regional French is valid as a symbol, but the notion does not seem to have real significance. Finally, the linguistic border with the German-speaking part of Switzerland is not clear cut; rather, it is characterized by a zone of transition. (Author/VWL)