FOREIGNISMS IN “THE BOOK OF KHALID” BY AMEEN RIHANI AS A MEANS OF SELF-IDENTIFICATION AND SELF-REPRESENTATION

Abstract

Te article focuses on the foreignisms used in the multicultural novel “Te Book of Khalid” by Ameen Rihani. Foreign words in literature possess certain attractive power as well as produce esthetic and artistic effects. Along with creative force and meaning foreignisms may as well give the reader some notion of the author’s self-identifcation and self-representation as member of the literary intellectual community of Syrian and Lebanese frst emigrants in the frst half of the XX-th century. Te novel in question is characteristic of typical features related to Arab-American literature of that period. Stylistic and literary analysis of foreign words in the book gave the desired self-image of the author as a representative of the Arab community in the USA. Tis image comprises certain philosophical and religious principles, authentic social and cultural features, literary and stylistic uniqueness. Close analysis of foreignisms as a linguistic and stylistic means adds to the overall understanding of the novel including the underlying messages and conceptual implications.