Language, Politics and Society in the Middle East

Explores the dynamic relationships between language, politics and society in the Middle East

Published in honour of Professor Yasir Suleiman, this collection acknowledges his contribution to the field of language and society in general, and to that of language analysis of socio-political realities in the Middle East in particular. Presenting a range of case studies relating to the role of language in the Middle East, each shows that the study of language unearths deeper processes relating to political affiliations, social behaviour and transnational as well as religious and sectarian identities. It also explores questions related to the power of language as a socio-political instrument, and addresses current issues that facilitate an understanding of the evolving intersections in the areas of language and politics in the modern Middle East. This includes how language forms and is shaped by its social and political surroundings, the language manifestations of social, religious and political identifications, as well as groupings, divisions and polarisations in the encounter between language, conflict and politics in contemporary Middle Eastern communities. Looking at language as a proxy for social and political struggles, the volume gives prominence to the long-lasting legacy and great contribution of Professor Yasir Suleiman to the field.

Key Features

• Brings together scholars from the fields of sociology, political science, Middle Eastern history, linguistics, sociolinguistics, political communication and media studies
• Includes chapters on identity changes via literary creations and word choice, code-switching and its importance in understanding political realities; Arabic studies in Jewish schools in Israel; the influence of the dominant Hebrew on Arabic spoken by Palestinians in Israel, and ‘the language of the revolution’ with case studies from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya

Contributors

• Ashraf Abdelhay, Clare Hall College, Cambridge
• Mariam Aboelezz, Lancaster University
• Muhammad Amara, Beit Berl Academic College
• Reem Bassiouney, The American University of Cairo
• Maisalon Dallashi, Tel Aviv University
• Eirlys E. Davies, King Fahd School of Translation, Tangier
• Carole Hillenbrand, University of St Andrews and University of Edinburgh
• Rana Issa, University of Oslo
• John E. Joseph, University of Edinburgh
• Chaoqun Lian, Peking University and University of Cambridge
• Sinfree Makoni, Pennsylvania State University
• Karin Christina Ryding, Georgetown University
• Sonia Shiri, University of Arizona