Linguoimagological Approach to Multicultural Literature (Based on the Novels “Habibi” by Naomi Shihab Nye, “Where the Streets Had a Name” by Randa Abdel-Fattah and “Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood” by Ibtisam Barakat)

Abstract

The article considers the phenomenon of multiculturalism in its connection with linguistic imagology. The author describes the differences between the liberal model of multiculturalism, recognized as utopian, and the polycentric model, rooted in postcolonial theory. The novelty of the research is seen in the fact that the ideas of multiculturalism are considered in comparison with the ideas of imagology, which also focuses on the issues of identity and otherness. Points of contact of two scientific directions are designated. The author shows that the phenomenon of multiculturalism is reflected in multicultural literature, the study of which has become particularly relevant with the acceleration of globalization. The article provides the views of both Russian and foreign scientists on the concept of multicultural literature, for the study of which a linguoimagological approach is proposed, implying linguo-stylistic analysis with an emphasis on the representation of the image of “others,” “strangers” in comparison with the image of “self”. Based on the material of English-language works devoted to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the author analyzes the methods of presenting the tragic events of confrontation through the eyes of the authors- bearers of Palestinian culture: the inclusion of deictic means, symbolic images, militaristic vocabulary, means of imitating broken English speech, etc. in the narration. The author concludes that the studied works provide an opportunity to look at one of the longest conflicts in modern history through the eyes of people constantly living in the conditions of a real military-political confrontation.

Keywords

• multiculturalism
• multicultural literature
• imagology
• linguistic imagology
• israeli-palestinian conflict