Politics of Palestinian Multilingualism: Speaking for Citizenship

The Politics of Palestinian Multilingualism: Speaking for Citizenship explores the politics of Israel/Palestine through the lens of sociolinguistics and discourse analysis, highlighting how Arabic-speakers use communicative strategies to resist Israeli institutional suppression and challenge existing political structures. It also examines how language skills are commodified in the late capitalist market.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 20 May 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into the complex dynamics of Palestinian multilingualism, exploring how Arabic-speaking individuals navigate the political landscape while advocating for their citizenship rights. Through a comprehensive sociolinguistic and discourse analysis, the author sheds light on the strategies employed by Arabic-speakers who also know Hebrew to express their political ideas and mobilize discursive power.

On political and cultural stages, multilingual Palestinian politicians and artists challenge the existing political structures, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society. Moreover, the book highlights the commodification of language skills in the late capitalist market, where proficiency in multiple languages is seen as a valuable asset.

Drawing on new evidence from recent and historical discourse, the book explores how speakers of a marginalized, contained language engage with the political system in the idioms at their disposal. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities faced by these individuals as they strive to assert their identity and voice in a context of political marginalization.

The Politics of Palestinian Multilingualism: Speaking for Citizenship is a valuable contribution to the field of multilingualism, language contact, ideology, and policy. It provides insights into the complex interplay between language, power, and identity, and offers valuable perspectives on the ongoing struggle for Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination.

This book is highly recommended for advanced students and scholars of multilingualism, language contact, ideology, and policy, as well as those interested in Middle Eastern studies. Its comprehensive analysis and rich empirical evidence make it an essential resource for understanding the politics of Palestinian multilingualism and its implications for the broader region.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 227 x 157 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138563315