ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the experiences of Arab American language brokers, and explores the historical presence and the sociopolitical contexts of Arab and Muslim Americans. A larger and more diverse sample is crucial for arriving at a more comprehensive picture about Arab American language brokering experiences. Electing the designated language broker seems to be based on linguistic proficiency, availability or favoritism. The macro-level of language brokering proved to be governed by the distressed sociopolitical context which the Arab American community in the United States negotiates. The chapter introduces language brokering narratives and actual statements from the four Arab American college students who participated in the study: Ali, Huda, Leila, and Salma. It explores sociopolitical context as it is manifested during the practice of language brokering. In places within a public domain, avoidance, defiance, or socializing strategies are adopted in order to minimize or counteract the effect of stereotypes and discrimination.
