Hyphen

The book "Hyphen" explores the history and politics of the hyphen, tracing its origins from ancient Greece to the present and examining its role in creating identities. The author, a hyphenated Iranian-American, shares her own experiences and considers how to navigate and empower new identities. The book is published in partnership with an essay series in "The Atlantic."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Object Lessons is a captivating series of short books that delves into the hidden lives of ordinary things. The debate over whether to hyphenate or not has been a central issue since the printing of the first Gutenberg Bible. Despite this, the hyphen has persisted, creating and connecting new words and concepts. Hyphen takes readers on a journey from antiquity to the present, exploring the politics of the hyphen and its role in shaping identities. The journey of this humble connective punctuation reveals the profound impact of orthographic concepts on the experiences of hyphenated individuals worldwide.

At its core, Hyphen is a compelling tale about the intricate interplay between language and identity. Author Mahdavi, a hyphenated Iranian-American, weaves her personal experiences of navigating between cultures into the narrative. Through the stories of the author and three other individuals, Hyphen collectively examines how to navigate, articulate, and empower new identities.

Published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic, Object Lessons offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of identity and the power of language to shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 164g
Dimension: 120 x 165 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501373909