Olga Verlato

New York University, Departments of History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies

2024 Winner (Humanities)

Languages of Power and People: Multilingualism, Politics, and Resistance in Modern Egypt and the Mediterranean

Olga Verlato’s dissertation offers a new perspective on the history of modern Egypt by focusing on the complex relationship between multilingualism and the rise of linguistic nationalism. Verlato’s study of the Egyptian press, for example, demonstrates how, since its very inception in the early 19th century, Arabic-language newspapers strategically resorted to European languages and scripts to promote their message and attract readers and advertisers. Her investigation of the role of the Arabic language in the 1919 nationalist revolution, moreover, shows how the Arabic language was explicitly connected to the revolution through the metaphor of the “voice” (al-sawt), a symbol of unity and national protest. By tracing the intricate interactions between state policies, intellectual debates, and popular practices, Verlato challenges the prevailing notion of linguistic nationalism as a linear and teleological process. Instead, she argues that it was a contested and contingent process shaped by competing visions of national identity and language.  Verlato’s nuanced analysis and innovative approach make a significant contribution to the field of Middle East studies and offer valuable insights into the global history of nationalism and language.

The dissertation was completed at New York University in the Departments of History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies under the supervision of Zachary Lockman.

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