The study of identity within a given discourse is one of the significant topics in the field of critical discourse analysis. Iraqi Christian identity has undergone various political and social changes during different historical periods leading to the emergence of the Christian identity as a minority in society. The present study investigates the representation of the identity of Iraqi Christian minority in the narrative discourse of selected English and Arabic novels. More precisely, the present study is a critical discourse analysis of the Christian identity as a minority in selected English and Arabic novels, namely; the English novel “Abducted in Iraq” by Saa’d Hanna (2017), and the Arabic Novel “الحفيدة الامريكية” (The American Granddaughter) by Inaa’m Kachachi (2009).
The study aims at: first, identifying the identity representation of Iraqi Christian minority in the narrative discourse of selected English and Arabic novels before and after 2003 war; second, investigating the textual resources and their role in the identity construction of Iraqi Christian minority in the narrative discourse of selected English and Arabic novels before and after 2003 war; third, identifying the discursive resources and their role in the identity construction of Iraqi Christian minority in the narrative discourse of selected English and Arabic novels before and after 2003 war; fourth, examining the social resources and their role in the identity construction of Iraqi Christian minority in the narrative discourse of selected English and Arabic novels before and after 2003 war. That is, it examines the role played by power and social dynamisms in the identity construction under analysis; and fifth, investigating similarities and differences in the identity construction of Iraqi Christian minority in the narrative discourse of selected English and Arabic novels before and after 2003 war at the textual, discursive and social levels of analysis. For achieving the afore-mentioned aims, a purposive sampling technique is used to choose the most representative data from the selected English and Arabic novels. The data is analysed according to a synthesised theoretical framework based on Wodak et al. (2009), Fairclough (2015), Wortham (2001), and Graumann (1999). The data are analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Table of Contents
1. CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
2. CHAPTER TWO
2.1 A REVIEW OF LITERATURE
3. CHAPTER THREE
3.1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4. CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 AN ANALYSIS OF THE ENGLISH NOVEL
5. CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 THE ANALYSIS OF THE ARABIC NOVEL
6. CHAPTER SIX
6.1 A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH AND ARABIC NOVELS
7. CHAPTER SEVEN
7.1 CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this study is to conduct a critical discourse analysis regarding the representation of the Iraqi Christian minority within the narrative discourse of selected English and Arabic novels. The study explores how these texts construct the minority identity before and after the 2003 war, while examining the role of linguistic, discursive, and social resources in this construction process.
- Identity construction and representation of the Iraqi Christian minority.
- The influence of power dynamics and social structures on narrative depiction.
- Comparative analysis of linguistic tools in English and Arabic literary narratives.
- The impact of historical and political contexts, specifically the 2003 war.
- The use of discursive strategies such as constructive, transformative, and dismantling approaches.
Excerpt from the Book
The Problem of the Study
The study of identity construction and reproduction of minorities in the narrative discourse is one of the important topics in the domain of critical discourse analysis nowadays. The term “identity” is “crucially, about conveying to one another what kind of people we are; which geographical, ethnic, social communities, we belong to; where we stand in relation to ethical and moral questions; or where our loyalties are in political terms” (De Fina et al., 2006, p. 263). Discourse performs a significant role in the public representation of unequal social relations and power associated with given ethno-religious groups. Such groups are often referred to as minorities. Minority can be viewed as “a group of people who are small in number having their own practices such as race, religion, or ethnicity” (du Toit & Theron, 1988, p. 52).
The identity of a minority, like Christians, greatly contributes to the construction of the Iraqi national identity as a whole. Iraq, as a country popular with its diversity in religion and ethnicity, has changed dramatically during the past few decades, particularly after 2003 war. Christians are but one minority among many who have experienced drastic social and political shifts that Iraq has gone through. Historically speaking, Christians are an indigenous minority group who live in Iraq since the 1st century A.C. They live in Baghdad, Mosul, and Kurdistan Region, but have mostly left Mosul due to the threat posed by the presence of ISIS. Christians have performed a great role in the development of Iraq both historically and in the modern time (Salloum, 2014, p. 77). The vast majority of Iraqi Christians belongs to Eastern Catholic Churches (Armenian, Chaldean and Syriac Catholics), with some notable exceptions (the Assyrians, who are Nestorians, members of the Syriac Orthodox Church) (IRIS, 2016, p. 7).
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: This chapter outlines the research problem regarding identity construction, specifies the aims and hypotheses of the study, and identifies the scope and significance of the research.
A REVIEW OF LITERATURE: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation by reviewing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approaches and existing theories of identity, including social, communication, and cultural identity theories.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This chapter describes the data selection process, the synthesized analytical framework based on Wodak and Fairclough, and the specific procedures used for micro, meso, and macro-level analysis.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE ENGLISH NOVEL: This chapter applies the established CDA framework to the English novel "Abducted in Iraq" to examine the linguistic and social construction of Christian identity.
THE ANALYSIS OF THE ARABIC NOVEL: This chapter performs a detailed analysis of the Arabic novel "The American Granddaughter" using the same critical framework to observe identity representation in a different linguistic context.
A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH AND ARABIC NOVELS: This chapter compares the findings from both novels to identify points of convergence and divergence in how they construct minority identity.
CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: This final chapter summarizes the primary findings, discusses the theoretical and practical implications, and offers suggestions for future academic research in this field.
Keywords
Critical Discourse Analysis, Identity Construction, Iraqi Christian Minority, Narrative Discourse, Power Dynamics, Social Constructionism, Political Context, Sectarianism, Representation, CDA, Identity Politics, Minorities, Iraq War, Linguistic Analysis, Positioning Theory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The study focuses on the critical discourse analysis of how the Iraqi Christian minority is represented in selected English and Arabic novels, emphasizing identity construction before and after the 2003 war.
Which thematic fields are central to the research?
Central themes include the construction of minority identity, socio-political shifts in Iraq, the interplay of power and ideology in discourse, and the role of language in creating representations of the "other."
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to identify how Iraqi Christian identity is represented, how power dynamics influence this construction, and to compare these portrayals across different linguistic and cultural narratives.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The research employs a qualitative and quantitative Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework, synthesizing models from Wodak et al., Fairclough, Wortham, and Graumann.
What topics are explored in the analytical chapters?
The analytical chapters examine lexical and syntactic choices like metaphor, transitivity, modality, and nominalization, alongside intertextual contexts and societal power structures.
How is the work characterized by keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as identity construction, critical discourse analysis, and minority representation, reflecting its interdisciplinary nature (linguistics, social sciences, and literary studies).
How does the 2003 war influence the identity construction in these novels?
The war acts as a critical turning point; the narrative discourse reflects the dramatic social and political instability, which leads to changes in how the Christian minority perceives itself and is perceived by others.
Does the language of the novel affect the representation of the Christian minority?
Yes, the comparative analysis demonstrates that the identity is portrayed differently in English and Arabic based on the main character's social position (e.g., priest vs. American translator) and the respective institutional influences found in each text.
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- Prof. Dr. Nassier Al-Zubaidi (Autor:in), Marwa Al-Bazzaz (Autor:in), 2022, Iraqi Christian Minority and Identity: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Selected English and Arabic Novels, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1343327
