Archaeology of Babel: The Colonial Foundation of the Humanities

This book argues that philology has always reinforced a colonial hierarchy, serving British rule in India and beyond. It reveals the extent to which postcolonial studies, European philosophy, and discourses such as Islamic fundamentalism, Hindu nationalism, and global environmentalism are the progeny of colonial rule. It also unearths alternate concepts of language and literature lost along the way and calls for humanists to reckon with the politics of the philological practices to which they now return.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 280 pages
\n Publication date: 12 December 2017
\n Publisher: Stanford University Press
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For over three decades, esteemed scholars in comparative literature and postcolonial studies have fervently advocated for a revival of philology as the cornerstone of critical methodology in the humanities. However, this book contends that the longstanding privilege accorded to philology within the modern humanities inadvertently perpetuates a colonial hierarchy. In reality, each of philology's foundational innovations originally served the interests of British rule in India.

Archaeology of Babel uncovers an unrecognized history that spans from the pioneering work of British Orientalist Sir William Jones to the intellectual contributions of Palestinian American scholar Edward Said and beyond. Through this comprehensive exploration, the book reveals the profound epistemic transformation that occurred on a global scale as a result of the colonial reconstruction of native languages, literatures, and legal systems. Moreover, it exposes the extent to which even postcolonial studies and European philosophy, as well as diverse discourses such as Islamic fundamentalism, Hindu nationalism, and global environmentalism, can be traced back to the legacy of colonial rule.

Furthermore, the book delves into the alternative notions of language and literature that were obscured along the way and raises a compelling call for humanists to engage with the political implications of the philological practices they now embrace. By undertaking this critical examination, the book aims to inspire a reevaluation of the role of philology in shaping our understanding of the world and to encourage humanists to confront the enduring legacies of colonialism in their scholarly pursuits.

\n Weight: 432g\n
Dimension: 229 x 151 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781503604025\n \n