Language and Identity in Modern Egypt

This book examines language and identity in modern Egypt using theories from discourse analysis and sociolinguistics. How is language used in Egyptian public discourse to illuminate the collective identity of Egyptians? How does this identity relate to language form and content? These questions are explored in this book, using a broad selection of data, including newspaper articles, caricatures, blogs, patriotic songs, films, school textbooks, TV talk shows, poetry and novels. As well as furthering our understanding of the relationship between identity and language in general, Language and Identity in Modern Egypt also yields insights about the intricate ways in which media and public discourse help shape and outline identity through linguistic processes. Offers an in depth study of identity in modern Egyptian public discourse; focuses on nationalist discourse before, during and after the Egyptian revolution of 2011; based on a broad and representative selection of data and helps us to decode and understand the messages put forward by the competing factions in Egyptian politics.