Semiotics of Muslimness in China

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.

List of contents

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.

Summary

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. The author examines how signs of 'Muslimness' are displayed and manipulated in both covert and overt means in different contexts.

Foreword

This Element shows how semiotics of Muslimness with material culture, and society, imbue spaces and products of heritage.

Product details

• Authors: Ibrar Bhatt, Ibrar (Queens University Belfast) Bhatt, Bhatt Ibrar
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2024
• EAN: 9781009415897
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0941589-7
• No. of pages: 90
• Series: Elements in Applied Linguistics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; Islam, China, Literacy, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Islamic Studies, Social and cultural anthropology, Semiotics / semiology, Museology & heritage studies, Museology and heritage studies, Relating to Islamic / Muslim people and groups