Language and Politics in Pakistan - Hardcover

Rahman, Tariq

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195776925 ISBN 13: 9780195776928

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1997

Synopsis

In this book, Tariq Rahman describes the inextricable link between language and politics in Pakistan. Conflict about language, the author argues, is really about political dominance. He examines the history of British language policies, the Urdu-Hindi controversy, and the role in identity formation of the Bengali, Pasato, Balochi, Sindhi, Punjabi, and Siraiki language movements.

About this title

About the Author

Tariq Rahman is at University of Texas.

Review

`it is a relief to see the whole subject discussed in one place in the detail it had always deserved ... He has put together what is clearly the first authoritative account of languages in Pakistan. It is properly pegged to sources within the text and has an impressive bibliography and index
that are truly helpful to anyone wanting to uncover the truth. Tariq Rahman has earned the gratitude of Pakistani readers for having written this extremely well researched book. It contains chapters on Balochi, Pashto and Punjabi too, which are no less informative. The author has done some real good
work on the politics of Balochi and has also covered the extraordinary greenhouse of languages in the Northern Areas. The book easily qualifies as the best book written in Pakistan in the year 1996.'
Khaled Ahmed, Friday Times

Despite the complexities of the topic and the widespan of history, the author maintains a clear focus: the association of language with power and the implications for group identity. His treatment is exhaustive and painstaking. The narrative remains absorbing and the reader is reassured by the
empirical evidence on which the case is constructed. His progressive, imginative proposals deserve serious consideration. The book's organization makes for readability, with its summaries and conclusions at strategic points. An informed and nonpartisan study, this is an important work even for those
with a general interest in Pakistan's fortunes. However, it will be particularly welcomed by socio-linguists with a special interest in issues of identity, language planning and English-language hegemony. Filling a gap too long empty, its value lies in the systematic collation and analysis of
historical events surrounding language movements and language manipulation in British india and in modern day Pakistan.

`attempts to cover a vast span of time and space within one volume, drawing upon a massive body of mostly published evidence and also some new materials from each of the major linguistic units ... meticulous research ...'
Ayesha Jalal, Harvard University, The Journal of Asian Studies

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0195776925
• ISBN 13: 9780195776928
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 340