Issues of Identity in Minority Language Media Production in Colombia and Wales

This paper addresses how different media production teams negotiate the use of their minority languages in their practice. After a brief discussion of the concepts of language and description of a linguistic minority, a short review of similar research in the area of Minority Language Media is presented. Within this area, radio producers from three linguistic and ethnic minorities in Colombia--Wayuu, Nasa and Creole--and four television and multimedia producers from the Welsh-speaking minority in Wales are taken as examples of negotiations of identity that take place in multilingual settings. The information gathered comes from interviews and participant observation of production practices. The research shows that the groups express their multi-layered identity and how they struggle to maintain the language and culture, simultaneously upholding professionalism and contesting negative stereotypes.