(Mis) Representing the 'Other': 'Honour Killing' in the British Press

This study aims to explore how the phenomenon of honour killing is reported in British newspapers by looking at the different linguistic and discursive strategies used in the news coverage of two victims among Muslim immigrants in the UK. The multidisciplinary approach of Critical Discourse Analysis; in particular van Dijks framework (1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009) provides the theoretical backdrop for the study. The description, interpretation and explanation of the linguistic and discursive mechanisms - lexical choice, implicit meanings, semantic strategies, sources and quotations - unveil the ideological constructions underlying the texts. The study also addresses questions such as whether or not the press associates honour killings with Islam and Muslims or with cultural tribal custom, whether or not news reports reinforce the reproduction of popular stereotypes, and whether or not they express a reinforcement of prejudice against immigrant Muslim communities. The study thus intends to assess how the British press tackles the concepts of identity and difference in the UKs growing multicultural and multifaith society.

Habiba Chafai was a former lecturer of Arabic Language and Cultures at the University of Minho, Portugal. She has received her PhD in Language Sciences and completed an MA in Sociolinguistics from the same university. Her research interests focus on exploring gender issues, Islam and the West as well as immigration in media discourse.