ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the relationships among language, identity and conflict, initially in the wider Arab context and then in the Israeli context. It discusses the concept of social identity in the context of contemporary studies as well as its relation to language. The chapter highlights the unique relationship between the Arabic language and Arab identity. It aims to investigate the significance of language in Israel in general and of the Arabic language in particular. The chapter discusses the relationship between the Arabic language and identity on the one hand and the conflict-ridden Israeli context on the other. It explains the relationship between language and conflict in general, then linguistic imperialism as a form of language conflict, and finally, the role of language in the Arab-Israeli conflict. In situations of conflict, language acts as a boundary, separating people from each other and defining the meaning of belonging to ethnic and national collectives.