2009

A Linguistic Turn of Terrorism Studies

This paper discusses the prominence of language in terrorism studies, arguing that terror first and foremost is what is defined as being terror. The author argues that terror is a mode of communication which, again, has its roots in cultural patterns. The analysis suggests that a theory of communication – or more specifically a theory of how meaning is constructed and constituted within a linguistic process – that is semiotics – should be employed in order better to structure our understanding of how this act of communication, which is such a basic element in terrorism, actually works.

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