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Book: The Reality of Arabic in Israel

Chapter: Language Policy: The Intersection of Politics and Culture

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.46242

Blurb:

Chapter three delves into Israel's language policies and their societal ramifications. It traces the evolution of Hebrew dominance, from its revival as a national language to its central role in Israeli formation. The chapter also scrutinizes the marginalization of Arabic and other minority languages, critiquing governmental priorities favoring Hebrew over linguistic diversity. Furthermore, it explores the IDF's role in promoting Hebrew proficiency and shaping national identity through compulsory military service. The text also delves into Hebrew and Arabic in the Arab sector, delineating historical and contemporary language education strategies, including obligatory Hebrew instruction for Arab students to foster integration and allegiance to the Jewish state. Additionally, it examines the distinctive status of English in Israel, its escalating significance, and its impact on language education and societal dynamics, underscoring disparities in language perception and proficiency between Jewish and Arab communities.

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