Research

In this paper, I advance a theory of `everyday language imposition`: a nation-building strategy employed by state elites to promote a national language through routine interactions with citizens. I argue that the resulting hierarchical ordering of languages has significant consequences for citizens belonging to subnational language groups. I present evidence from two studies that trace the phenomenon and consequences of everyday imposition in the case of India, where the state has undertaken efforts to promote Hindi as the national language. Study 1, an in-person audit experiment with public banks (n=1,080), establishes that the Indian state prioritizes Hindi in daily interactions with citizens, leading to a hierarchical ordering of languages, with the local language at the bottom. I demonstrate that this language hierarchy produces more immediate affective than material consequences: service is provided irrespective of language, but the use of the national language leads to a better affective experience of service. Study 2, a survey experiment (n=4,578) with individuals from subnational language groups, shows that exposure to the national language, even in non-political contexts, leads to greater support for Indian identity as well as Hindu nationalism. However, contrary to expectation, it also fosters an increase in nativist sentiments against co-national internal migrants. Thus, I provide evidence that the everyday imposition of the national language serves as a potent tool for nation-building, albeit at the expense of simultaneously promoting nativism..