Subjective ethnolinguistic vitality viewed as a belief system

Abstract Proceeding on the assumption that inter‐ethnic behaviour is mediated by perceptions of ethnolinguistic vitality, it is postulated that the prediction of inter‐ethnic behaviour should rely on a cognitive theory framework. In this article, cognitive orientation theory is used as a basis for the development of a model of subjective ethnolinguistic vitality viewed as a belief system. Following a discussion of possible limitations for the prediction of inter‐ethnic behaviour of an existing measure of subjective ethnolinguistic vitality, the results of an exploratory study on the relationship between beliefs pertaining to ethnolinguistic vitality and self‐reports of assimilative linguistic behaviour are presented. A questionnaire based on four types of beliefs originating from cognitive orientation theory was effective in discriminating between two subgroups of a francophone ethnic minority. Scores on this questionnaire were also highly related to self‐reported assimilative linguistic behaviour.