Indexical borders: the sociolinguistic scales of the shibboleth

Abstract This paper engages with the notion of shibboleth, an indexically loaded, usually referentially indifferent set (ideologically constructed) minimal pairs that is used in order to mark and perform social differentiation. We argue shibboleth be considered interpretive (metapragmatic) phenomenon operates on different sociolinguistic scales, notably discursive scale (ideologies communication), performative (performance metapragmatic stance-taking), subjective (lived experience). propose a scalar theory as “indexical border” takes into account how shibboleths emerge (are enregistered) they depend contextualisation (or indexical field). As case point, we present analyses biographical construals displacement context remigration from German-speaking countries Bosnia Herzegovina. Specifically, focus are connected (mis-)performances phonologically rather subtle but highly salient Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian affricate (<?/dž> <?/?>).