A War of Words
Language and Conflict in the Middle East
Published on 10. June 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
286 pages
978-0-521-54656-0 (ISBN)
Description
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.
Reviews / Votes
'Yasir Suleiman's book is a seminal work on the linguistic situation in the Middle East, its socio-political and cultural roots, and its implications for nationhood and the study of conflict. This is a well-crafted, well organized, and eloquent book. ' Karin Ryding, Georgetown University ' ... the book is a good read also for non-linguists, offering possible new perspectives on conflict dynamics.' Journal of Peace ResearchMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
13 Tables, unspecified; 18 Halftones, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
418 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-54656-0 (9780521546560)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2004
Cambridge University Press
€38.49
Available for download
Person
Yasir Suleiman is Professor of Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, and Director of the Edinburgh Institute for the Advanced Study of the Arab World and Islam at the University of Edinburgh. His publications include The Arabic Language and National Identity: A Study in Ideology (2003) and The Arabic Grammatical Tradition: a Study in Ta'liil (1999).
Content
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.