NeMLA: Genocides and Language
In the aftermath of the man-made catastrophes, such as genocides, the artistic production does not only seek to grasp the reality behind the atrocities, but also to convey that reality as it is experienced. Language functions as medium for deconstructing this brutal reality that exceeds meaning. Thus, language could be situated among the most crucial components of the communication process since it functions both as catalyzer and obstacle for the embodiment of the historical reality. This panel explores the diverse discourses in which genocides are understood and represented in contemporary artistic production. What are the linguistic, moral, political, and sociological functions of language during and/or in the aftermath of the genocides?