Panel at Middle East Studies Association 2011 conference on language in the Arab revolts

From Dr. Muhamed Osman Al Khalil, Director of Arabic Studies, New York University Abu Dhabi


The Fresh Language Scene Attending the Current Arab Revolts



The ongoing popular revolts in the Arab World have not only disrupted and upturned the long-stagnant political scene in the region, but have of a sudden disrupted and energized the lethargic linguistic scene as well. The revolts in Tunisia and Egypt, and the popular bestirrings in other Arab countries, have exposed the hollowness of defunct official discourses (of regimes and their symbiotic traditional oppositions alike) contrasting them with new young and lively discourses arising in the street. Examples of this could be seen in the use of new catchy slogans in both Arabic Standard and Colloquials (e.g.إذا الشعب يوما أراد الحياة , تونس حرّة حرّة بن علي برّه برّه , الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام , مش عايزينك etc. ), the formulaic Arabic used by the presidents and their old guard, the use of “Facebook” Arabic, the effective marrying of Standard to regional colloquials on Satellite TV stations, the confused prevaricating English of the White House, the variety of rhetorics adopted by regional and international media (unequivocally pro-street on Aljazeera, regimes-friendly on Al-Arabia, editorial enthusiasm on Al-Hurra that often conflicts with official US positions, angry tones of CNN crews beaten by pro-regime thugs, Israeli newsmen torn between enthusiasm and trepidation, etc.).



This panel seeks to explore and understand the various manifestations of this new linguistic scene forming around the popular Arab revolts and the various discourses and language phenomena at work in it. If you are interested in presenting a paper in this panel, please email an abstract of about 300-400 words to Dr. Muhamed Al Khalil (muhamed.alkhalil@nyu.edu) by February 14 . You can also email me to discuss your thoughts before you submit your abstract. I myself plan to present a paper on the reinvigorated use of Arabic poetry in the revolts and the implications for the art and its future.



For more information contact,



Muhamed Osman Al Khalil, Ph.D.
Director of Arabic Studies
New York University Abu Dhabi
Work: +97126284112
Mobile: +971501145502

email: muhamed.alkhalil@nyu.edu