Arabic in Modern Hebrew Texts: The Stylistics of Exophonic Writing

In the late 1950s, Iraqi Jewish novelists faced the literary challenge of switching to Hebrew. This book examines their use of their native Iraqi Arabic in their Hebrew works, exploring the influence of Arabic language and culture and questions of language, place, and belonging. It also applies stylistics as a framework to investigate linguistic phenomena such as code-switching, borrowing, and language and translation strategies. The social and political implications of this dilemma are relevant in a range of linguistic contexts.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 200 pages
\n Publication date: 31 August 2021
\n Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
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In the late 1950s, a significant number of Iraqi Jews were compelled to leave their homeland for Israel, driven by various factors such as persecution and economic hardship. Upon arriving in Israel, many Iraqi Jewish novelists encountered a challenging literary predicament: they found it impossible to continue writing in Arabic, their native language. As a result, they had to adapt and transition to writing in Hebrew, a language unfamiliar to them. This book delves into the literary works of three prominent Iraqi Jewish authors: Shimon Ballas, Sami Michael, and Eli Amir. Through a comprehensive examination of their Hebrew writings, the book explores the intricate interplay between Arabic language and culture and examines the themes of language, place, and belonging from the perspective of sociolinguistics and multilingualism.

Moreover, the author employs stylistics as a framework to analyze the diverse linguistic phenomena present in these exophonic texts, including code-switching, borrowing, language and translation strategies. By adopting this new stylistic approach, the book offers a valuable model for the study of other languages and their unique linguistic characteristics.

Furthermore, the social and political implications of this dilemma are explored in depth within the book. In an era characterized by mass migration and population displacement, the conflicts of loyalty examined through the lens of Arabic and Hebrew have broader relevance in various linguistic contexts. The book sheds light on the complexities of identity, culture, and language as they intertwine in the lives of individuals navigating the complexities of exile and resettlement.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies by exploring the literary works of Iraqi Jewish authors who transitioned from Arabic to Hebrew. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it sheds light on the complex relationship between language, culture, and identity, offering insights into the experiences of immigrants and their struggle to adapt and thrive in new environments.

\n Weight: 302g\n
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781474444446\n \n