Language and Politics in Pakistan [Hardcover]

Tariq Rahman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0195776925 | ISBN-13: 978-0195776928

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

About the Author

Tariq Rahman is at University of Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 344 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195776925
• ISBN-13: 978-0195776928
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,823,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars First book in Pakistan about its topics, May 1, 2004

By 

Aslam Rasoolpuri (Pakistan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Language and Politics in Pakistan (Hardcover)

Tarq Rehman is wellknown socio-linguist of Pakistan . It is his famous book about languages' movement in Pakistan . These movements are semi- political,therefore we we can't say that all these movements are for the promotion of languages, because author is government servant therefore sometimes he take plea according policies of government

I dont feel fear to say that this is only book on this topic therefor it is very useful and informative for those people who want to know about languages'movements in Pakistan .I recmend this book for kind study of those people who want to know about Pakistani languages