I Am What You Are Not: The Otherness in the Definition of the Andalusian Identity

Abstract

In this article, we present the results of an empirical research where we explore the impact of emigration, as an experience of contrast with a “cultural other” in the construction of the Andalusian identity (South of Spain). For this, we have analyzed the use of comparisons in identity narratives (Bruner, 1991) of people with different migratory experiences in discussion groups about the Andalusian identity. The discursive data was  analyzed using a system of self-developed categories. The results showed that the use of comparisons as a strategy for constructing identity in the debate was differentially used by the three groups (emigrants, non-migrants and returned migrants), with emigrants being the most using this resource. The nature and degree of explicitness of the objects and references of comparison also varied. In conclusion, we argue that the experience of emigration, as an experience of contrast with a culture other, affects the way in which we build our identities, being the comparison with this one of the most used resources for this process.

Keywords: Identity, otherness, narratives, migration.