Language and ideology in the contemporary Algerian narratives: the experience of integration as in Wāsīnī al-A‘raŷ´s Works

Abstract

This contribution highlights, through the personality and works of the algerian writer Wāsīnī al-A‘raŷ, one of the most eminent intellectuals of the Arab World, the issue of the national language in Algeria and the attitudes and opinions of a number of Algerian intellectuals on it. Al-A‘raŷ has shown up from the beginning of his career an authentic engagement to arabic language as he has long strived for the harmonious integration of the islamic component into the algerian contemporary culture, without putting aside the amazigh ingredient and the influx of French culture. He has firmly refuted the ongoing theories about the Clash of Civilizations and the incompatibility between the Islamic east and the Christian west. We should stress the singularity of his production and the clearity of his postulates on the Algerian identity, which is based on three basic elements (arabiness, berberiness and modern french values). This continuous research of “algeriness” reveals itself throughout his books as long as he staunchly advocates the co-existence of different and antagonistic points of view.