Framing Hijab in the European Mind: Press Discourse, Social Categorization and Stereotypes

This book compares how British and Spanish media have covered the French ban on hijab wearing in public schools, using interdisciplinary approaches to explain how the hijab is interpreted as a sign by the mainstream culture and the hijab-wearing Muslim sub-culture. It combines Critical Discourse Analysis, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, and Cognitive Linguistics to provide a novel analysis methodology for social and linguistic sciences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 275 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This captivating book delves into a comprehensive comparison of how British and Spanish media have approached the issue of the French ban on hijab wearing in public schools. Employing an interdisciplinary approach encompassing social psychology, semiotics, cognitive linguistics, and sociology, it aims to unravel the intricate interpretation of the hijab as a sign within both the mainstream culture and the hijab-wearing Muslim sub-culture. Through an extensive analysis of 108 articles published in the national newspapers from each context, this comparative study operates on two interconnected levels: a micro-level examination of within-culture variations between mainstream culture and hijab-wearing women, and a macro-level exploration of the cross-cultural differences between the British and Spanish contexts. The outcome is a profound revelation into the varying degrees of social integration experienced by hijab-wearing women in these distinct cultural settings.

The analytical methodology employed in this study combines critical discourse analysis (CDA), conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), and cognitive linguistics (CL). This innovative approach, known as cognitive critical discourse analysis (CCDA), offers a novel framework for social and linguistic sciences. The book introduces this groundbreaking methodology, providing scholars with a valuable tool for understanding the complexities of language and discourse in diverse cultural contexts.

In the chapters that follow, the book explores the historical, social, and cultural factors that have shaped the media coverage of the hijab ban in both the British and Spanish contexts. It examines the ways in which the media narratives have framed the issue, the dominant ideologies and discourses employed, and the impact of these narratives on public perception and attitudes. Through a rigorous analysis of news articles, opinion pieces, and social media posts, the book sheds light on the ways in which the media has contributed to the construction of the hijab as a symbol of religious devotion, cultural identity, or political resistance.

Furthermore, the book delves into the experiences of hijab-wearing women in these two contexts. It explores the challenges they face, the discrimination they encounter, and the strategies they employ to navigate the social and cultural landscape. By examining the voices and perspectives of hijab-wearing women, the book provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities and nuances of their experiences and challenges the dominant narratives that often portray them as victims or objects of debate.

In conclusion, this book offers a groundbreaking exploration of the media coverage of the hijab ban in British and Spanish contexts. Through an interdisciplinary approach, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the ways in which the hijab is interpreted, the media narratives that shape public perception, and the experiences of hijab-wearing women in these two different cultural contexts. By offering a novel analysis methodology, the book contributes to the growing body of research on language, culture, and identity and provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of social integration and discrimination.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811616556
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021