Title: A Semiotics of Muslimness in China
Series Title: Elements in Applied Linguistics
Publication Year: 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
http://www.cambridge.org/linguistics
Book URL: https://www.cambridge.org/universitypress/subjects/languages-linguistics/applied-linguistics-and-second-language-acquisition/semiotics-muslimness-china?format=PB

Author: Ibrar Bhatt
Hardback: ISBN: 9781009462679 Pages: 90 Price: U.S. $ 64.99
Hardback: ISBN: 9781009462679 Pages: 90 Price: U.K. £ 49.99
Hardback: ISBN: 9781009462679 Pages: 90 Price: Europe EURO 58.34
Paperback: ISBN: 9781009415897 Pages: 90 Price: U.S. $ 22.00
Paperback: ISBN: 9781009415897 Pages: 90 Price: U.K. £ 17.00
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Abstract:

This Element examines the semiotics of Sino-Muslim heritage literacy in a way that integrates its Perso-Arabic textual qualities with broader cultural semiotic forms. Using data from images of the linguistic landscape of Sino-Muslim life alongside interviews with Sino-Muslims about their heritage, the author examines how signs of 'Muslimness' are displayed and manipulated in both covert and overt means in different contexts. In so doing the author offers a 'semiotics of Muslimness' in China and considers how forms of language and materiality have the power to inspire meanings and identifications for Sino-Muslims and understanding of their heritage literacy. The author employs theoretical tools from linguistic anthropology and an understanding of semiotic assemblage to demonstrate how signifiers of Chinese Muslimness are invoked to substantiate heritage and Sino-Muslim identity constructions even when its expression must be covert, liminal, and unconventional.

1. Introduction; 2. The semiotics of sini calligraphy; 3. The semiotics of food heritage; 4. Heritage literacy in liminal spaces; 5. Conclusions: a semiotics of muslimness; References.

Linguistic Field(s): Applied Linguistics

Written In: English (eng)