Language Conflict in Algeria: From Colonialism to Post-Independence (154) (Multilingual Matters (154))

Synopsis

This Is A Book About The Use Of Languages As A Proxy For Conflict. It Traces The History Of Algeria From Colonization By The French In 1830 To The Celebration Of 50 Years Of Independence In 2012, And Examines The Linguistic Issues That Have Accompanied This Turbulent Period. The Book Begins With An Examination Of 'language Conflict' And Related Concepts, And Then Applies Them To Both The French Colonists' Language Policies And The Arabization Campaigns Which Followed Independence. This Is Followed By An Analysis Of The Rivalry Between The English And French Languages In Independent Algeria. The Book Concludes With A Study Of The Language Choices Made By Algerian Writers And The Complex Tensions Which Arose From These Choices Among Intellectuals In The Colonial And Post-colonial Periods. -- Publisher's Website. Prologue : Two Cultural Wars In 50 Years -- Circumnavigating A Term : 'language Conflict' And Related Concepts -- Language Contact And Domination -- Linguistic Consequences Of Colonialism : Ireland, A Case Study -- Language Planning And Conflict -- Resistance And Peace Sociolinguistics -- Frenchification : Annihilating Indigenous Language -- Pre-colonial Period -- Local Languages And Cultures Under Siege -- 'instruct To Conquer' -- Language Superiority -- Rejection Of Cultural Subordination -- The Legacy -- Arabization : At War With Diversity -- Cautious Implementation -- Politicizing Language -- Ever More Radical Measures -- Oppositional Identities -- Planned And Unplanned Developments -- The Anachronism Of Arabization : Multiple Voices -- Geopolitics And Language Rivalry : French Versus English -- Empires And Languages In Competition -- Language Without A Political Past -- Top-down Intervention : Unsuccessful Penetration Of English -- Maintenance Of French, Uncertain Future -- Recycling Old Colonial Ideologies -- The Possibility Of Alternative Voices -- Future Prospects -- Writers And Language As A Battlefield : 'authenticity' Versus 'hybridity' -- Colonials Write Back -- Some Effects Of Colonial Bilingualism -- Hybridity And Long-term Prospects -- 'silence Will Slowly Become His Empire' -- The Triumph Of Unanism And 'authenticity' -- Creativity And Resistance -- Writing In Troubled Times -- Epilogue : The Language Question As A 'lightning Rod' -- Cultural Marginalization Breeds Radicalism -- Language And Identity As Distractors -- What Can We Do? Mohamed Benrabah. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.