A keyhole look at words in the post-9/11 world

Jun 15, 2007

A University of Wollongong academic has written a groundbreaking exploration of the way that everyday language use in the post September 11 2001 world has instilled a state of fear and war in our minds and communities.

Dr Mary Zournazi’s new book, “Keywords to War: Reviving language in an age of terror”, shows how key words such as freedom, justice and trust have been misused, abused and misappropriated for narrow political ends draining them of meaning and seriously diminishing public life in the process. Dr Zournazi teaches in UOW’s School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication.

Her intent is simply not to analyse language but to revitalise it.

By tracing the threads of historical meaning and the competing values and ideas contained within words, Dr Zournazi believes it is possible to replenish their deeper meaning, to restore the link between language and moral conscience, and to evoke a compassionate and hopeful alternative to the current political environment.

Inspired by Raymond Williams’ Keywords (1983) and Don Watson’s Death Sentence (2003), Keywords to War is about the making and remaking of the world through language, and is itself a small step towards renewing that world and that language.

Dr Zournazi is the author of several other books including Hope – New Philosophies for Change (2002). She also works as a freelance radio producer and cultural commentator for ABC Radio National.

She will be producing a radio series to accompany the launch of the book for ABC Radio National. Dr Zournazi recently participated at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Keywords to War is published by Scribe, paperback, RRP: $27.95.

MEDIA PLEASE NOTE

Dr Zournazi is currently on sabbatical leave but she can be reached via her home phone number (02) 9550 5956 or by contacting her publicist at Scribe, Susan Hornbeck, on (03) 9349 5955. Susan can also provide review copies. On Wednesday 20 June at 6.30pm, Dr Zournazi will be appearing at Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, to discuss her new book. To book for this event contact (02) 9660 2333.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128