Abstract
This paper discusses whether Texas Germans can be viewed through the lens of transnationalism. As a group, Texas Germans exhibit a rich linguistic and cultural heritage, both of which have significantly contributed to the formation of a strong sense of “Texas‐Germanness.” My goal is to investigate this particular instance of “Germanness beyond Germany” (Maxwell and Davis, German Studies Review, 39, 1–15, 2016) and to determine if Texas Germans represent a previously unidentified form of linguistic transmigrant. The study utilizes a mixed‐methods approach, consulting both quantitative (surveys) and qualitative data (open‐ended interviews; semi‐structured phone interviews). The results indicate the presence of various transnational elements and confirm that both linguistic and cultural heritage are defining elements in the construction and maintenance of Texas German identity. Language, moreover, appears as an important connector and mediator between these concepts.