ABSTRACT
Broadly speaking, language serves two main functions in society. The first is an instrumental function: to serve as an effective means of communication. The second is a symbolic function, which includes the capacity of language to act both as a symbol and as an index. Understanding the complex relationship between language and politics in the Arab world can shed light on some of the deep-seated political ideologies in the region. The chapter provides the reader with an appreciation of the important symbolic role that Arabic has played politically in the Arab world. It focuses on standard language ideology and the linguistic nationalism and addresses the inherently political nature of language standardisation, drawing on Bourdieu's ideas. The chapter presents research evidence from Egypt to demonstrate how standard language ideology is challenged. It focuses on the role of Arabic in identity politics, and how it has been deployed in a range of nationalisms in the Arab world.
