Alliances, oppositions and the nature of ephemeral identities in ethnically diversified Basque education

Abstract

This study is part of a broader ethnographically based research project analysing interethnic student interactions in the Basque education system. It focuses on the nature of interethnic student alliances and oppositions within Basque education, which act as identity producers. The research methods include documentary analysis, participant observation, 36 semi-structured interviews and four focus groups. Results indicate that students who had a migrant background allied to oppose learning Basque. Alliances were often transitory and constituted ephemeral identities that were dissolved after such opposition took place. This paper points to the constitutive momentum that leads to the creation of transitory alliances, and its discussion contributes to the theory of identity, in line with the results of the case study.