The debate on truth and reconciliation
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Annelies Verdoolaege
Abstract
This article gives an overview of a large part of contemporary TRC literature. Hundreds of publications have appeared on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. With a view to proper academic reflection it would be useful to classify this literature. Various classificatory criteria could be used. In this text a topical perspective is taken, so the TRC literature is subdivided on the basis of the thematic focus of the author. Perspectives on the SA Truth Commission have many different thematic interests, such as legal, religious, political, psychological, anthropological and linguistic. This paper tries to bring some cohesion and meaningful organization to this multitude of books, articles and dissertations. Within each thematic category representative examples are pointed out. Finally, reference is made to some lacunae and overlaps which are evident from looking at the body of TRC literature. As a result, this article can be seen as an investigation into the characterizing features of the debate on the TRC.
Abstract
This article gives an overview of a large part of contemporary TRC literature. Hundreds of publications have appeared on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. With a view to proper academic reflection it would be useful to classify this literature. Various classificatory criteria could be used. In this text a topical perspective is taken, so the TRC literature is subdivided on the basis of the thematic focus of the author. Perspectives on the SA Truth Commission have many different thematic interests, such as legal, religious, political, psychological, anthropological and linguistic. This paper tries to bring some cohesion and meaningful organization to this multitude of books, articles and dissertations. Within each thematic category representative examples are pointed out. Finally, reference is made to some lacunae and overlaps which are evident from looking at the body of TRC literature. As a result, this article can be seen as an investigation into the characterizing features of the debate on the TRC.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- About the Authors vii
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Articles
- The language of remembering and forgetting 1
- The debate on truth and reconciliation 13
- Narrative inequality in the TRC hearings 33
- Critical discourse analysis as an analytic tool in considering selected, prominent features of TRC testimonies 65
- South African Novelists and the Grand Narrative of Apartheid 89
- Linguistic Bearings and Testimonial Practices 101
- History in the making/The making of history 115
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- About the Authors vii
-
Articles
- The language of remembering and forgetting 1
- The debate on truth and reconciliation 13
- Narrative inequality in the TRC hearings 33
- Critical discourse analysis as an analytic tool in considering selected, prominent features of TRC testimonies 65
- South African Novelists and the Grand Narrative of Apartheid 89
- Linguistic Bearings and Testimonial Practices 101
- History in the making/The making of history 115
