A War of Words
A War of Words
Yasir Suleiman's 2004 book considers national identity in relation to language, the way in which language can be manipulated to signal political, cultural or even historical difference. As a language with a long-recorded heritage and one spoken by the majority of those in the Middle East in a variety of dialects, Arabic is a particularly appropriate vehicle for such an investigation. It is also a penetrating device for exploring the conflicts of the Middle East, the diversity of its peoples and the diversity of their viewpoints. Suleiman's book offers a wealth of empirical material, and intriguing, often poignant illustrations of antagonisms articulated through pun or double entendre.
- Pathbreaking book which considers the relationship of language to conflict in the Middle East
- Theoretically informed and multi-disciplinary with appeal to students of Arabic language, Middle East Studies, sociology, politics and anthropology
- Author is well known and highly regarded: one of the only scholars working in this field
Reviews & endorsements
"This is a well-crafted, well organized, and eloquent book." Karin Ryding, Georgetown University
"The book is interesting and valuable for its attempt to elaborate a sociolinguistic approach to political and social conflicts." The International History Review Eliezer Ben-Rafael, Tel-Aviv University
"Suleiman does make a fine, well-reasoned, and yet passionate case for the emotion and commitment with which language communities defend their language use...A highlight of the book is his fascinating analysis of the implications of the specific language forms used on multilingual street signs in Jerusalem." - William O. Beeman
"It is a contribution to Suleiman's continued explorations of the linguistic conflicts produced by the religious and military conquests of Islam and the continuing tensions in seeking resolutions...The potential is huge, and Suleiman is one of the few scholars who are daring to tackle it." anthropological linguistics Bernard Spolsky, Bar-Ilan University
Product details
June 2004Paperback
9780521546560
286 pages
229 × 152 × 15 mm
0.461kg
18 b/w illus. 13 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Language, power and conflict in the Middle East
- 3. When language and dialects collide: standard Arabic and its 'opponents'
- 4. When dialects collide: on the banks of the River Jordan
- 5. When languages collide: between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean sea
- 6. Language and conflict in the Middle East: a conclusion.
