A War of Words
Language and Conflict in the Middle East

The 2004 book investigates how language articulates socio-political conflicts in the Middle East.

Yasir Suleiman (Author)

9780521837439, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 June 2004

286 pages, 18 b/w illus. 13 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.55 kg

' … the book is a good read also for non-linguists, offering possible new perspectives on conflict dynamics.' Journal of Peace Research

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Sociology & anthropology [JH], Asian history [HBJF], Regional studies [GTB]