Identity Norms (1) Belgitude The concept of belgitude can be described as “a popular culture centered around beer, fat food and folk parties [...]; a use of French distinguishing itself by the use of “tu”, idiomatic expressions, and accents borrowing from Flemish or different patois; and, more fundamentally an attitude characterized by compromise-seeking, hostility to any form of pretentiousness, a sense of hospitality, and of course humor – an offbeat, irreverent, sly humor. […] many Belgians like to essentialize their culture […] and to claim it as an integral part of their experience and collective identity.” (Petit & Rubers 2013: 12). Several elements mentioned in the above definition are recurrent in the comment streams: the great importance given to beer (a), fat food (b), the fact alcohol together with parties can trigger the use of Walloon (c), some comments recognized an influence of Germanic languages to Walloon (d) (note that in the definition this peculiarity is meant for French but its existence in Walloon is not incidental), the hostility to pretentiousness (e), and a sense of humor (f) (even though the type of humor is matter of discussion). The following …show more content…
Indeed, in French-speaking Belgium, Brussels has been elevated to the rank of cultural and political center, therefore Walloons tend not to make a difference between the capital and Wallonia, one being the extension of the other depending from the perspective (Pirotte 1994: 34-39). Therefore, the ability for an individual to speak Walloon has become a mean to create this difference and claim a regional identity within Belgium. Contrary to the feelings France generated, the relationship to Brussels seem to be more benevolent, for instance where it seems that speaking Walloon in Brussels might be a source of confusion for its inhabitants, which in turns could be comical for the