Language Conflict in Algeria: From Colonialism to Post-Independence by Mohamed Benrabah

Abstract

classmates, when responding in class, he merely repeats what he has read in books that others have written.Wolf lets us enter into the innermost thoughts of his protagonist, thereby permitting the readers to be in the moment as this sensitive young boy makes his way in the world. There are numerous and highly touching moments, although much less appealing are the scenes that depict the youngster’s sexual fantasies. For example , he does not find any one girl in particular to be attractive but becomes easily excited when, in his imagination, he constructs his ideal female from the various parts of his female schoolmates. Especially moving is how he wants to be able to help his parents, whose appearance is so aged that they give the impression of being his grandparents despite their ‘jeunesse d’esprit.’ They are struggling financially to keep the family business afloat. Having built up a sizable amount of money by winning online contests from around the world, he manages to pay the family’s bills when his parents are not and thus prevents the closing of the family business or the selling of the family home. He learns that paying the bills is a better option than offering expensive gifts (such as a luxury watch for his father and a designer dress by Valentino for his mother), often received with fear and apprehension by his parents. Nonetheless, he does find another outlet for his generosity: “Il aimait tellement faire des cadeaux qu’il lui arrivait de choisir une personne au hasard dans l’annuaire et de lui envoyer un chèque de quelques centaines de dollars pour la remercier” (26). Wolf adeptly allows the reader to penetrate the inner workings of the young protagonist’s intelligence and unique behaviors, which had previously been diagnosed as autism or a mental illness by a pediatrician . When in front of his computer, “ce garçon maladroit” transforms himself into a master capable of putting an end to world poverty, hunger, and war. The reader can therefore appreciate the beauties and intricacies of exceptional minds as clearly and uniquely presented by Wolf, a psychiatrist with superb literary talent. Canisius College (NY) Eileen M. Angelini Linguistics edited by Stacey Katz Bourns Benrabah, Mohamed. Language Conflict in Algeria: From Colonialism to PostIndependence .Bristol: Multilingual Matters,2011.ISBN 978-1-847-69964-0.Pp.199. $119.95. This book, coming at a critical moment in North Africa’s history, is “about the use of languages as proxy for conflict” (xiv). Its purpose is to explore the complex linguistic context of Algeria, its past as a French colony, its educational system, and its political evolution. After a well-documented exposé on language contact and the 224 FRENCH REVIEW 87.3 Reviews 225 theoretical framework that he has employed to study the use of languages as proxy for conflict, Benrabah provides us with several case studies outside North Africa to illustrate the linguistic consequences of colonialism. He then examines language planning as a theory, its dimensions, its development, and its impact on the communities where it is applied. Language planning “may [...] give rise to conflicts” (15) instead of encouraging cohesion and peace. In addition, the author discusses the effects globalization has had on the spread of languages and how some languages, like English, are ‘inclusive’while others, like French, are‘exclusive.’Inclusive languages are appropriated by their speakers and can spread easily; exclusive ones, which are equated with national identity, may exclude nonnative speakers and deny them the opportunity to enrich them. This study shows that for French, North Africa is a case in point. The author delves into the pre-colonial era of Algeria and shows how, during the colonization period, the exploration of languages and cultures was under siege. He demonstrates how the French used Algeria’s ‘backwardness’ to advance France’s ‘civilizing mission.’ Moreover, he examines with great insight the tapestry of ethnic groups and cultures that make up the population of Algeria and analyzes how French colonialism has disrupted the foundation of Algerian society and infused a spirit of divisiveness and conflict among Algerians. The study describes in great detail the tragic consequences of the program of ‘Frenchification’ implemented...