A Semiotics of Muslimness in China

This Element explores the semiotics of Sino-Muslim heritage literacy by examining how signs of Muslimness are displayed and manipulated in different contexts. It demonstrates how language and materiality can inspire meanings and identifications for Sino-Muslims and understanding of their heritage literacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 90 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element delves into the intricate semiotics of Sino-Muslim heritage literacy, seamlessly blending its Perso-Arabic textual characteristics with broader cultural semiotic forms. Through a comprehensive analysis of data derived from images of the linguistic landscape of Sino-Muslim life, coupled with in-depth interviews with Sino-Muslim individuals, the author explores how signs of Muslimness are both overtly and covertly displayed and manipulated in various contexts. By undertaking this exploration, the author presents a semiotics of Muslimness in China, shedding light on how language and materiality wield the potential to evoke meanings and foster identifications among Sino-Muslims, as well as enhance their understanding of heritage literacy.

Utilizing theoretical frameworks from linguistic anthropology and a deep understanding of semiotic assemblage, the author adeptly demonstrates how signifiers of Chinese Muslimness are invoked to substantiate heritage and Sino-Muslim identity constructions, even when their expression must be subtle, marginal, and unconventional. This insightful examination underscores the dynamic interplay between language, culture, and identity, offering valuable insights into the complex tapestry of Sino-Muslim heritage and its significance in shaping the lives of its practitioners.

Weight: 144g
ISBN-13: 9781009415897