Aarushi Chatterjee
Research Mentor: Sophia Mo
Mentor Department: Romance Languages and Literatures, LSA
Author(s): Sophia Mo
Session: Session 1 (9:00 AM – 9:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 101
Abstract
This project studies Arabic and French language periodicals published in Algeria as important sources for understanding postcolonial national identity and wider Third World connections. Although postcolonial movements have been widely researched, the print materials that supported these ideas are often scattered, hard to access, or not digitized. Scholars have shown that periodicals were key spaces for debate and cultural expression, yet many of these publications remain unavailable for systematic study. The main aim of this project is to create a searchable digital database of selected periodicals. Transnational periodicals, meaning publications that circulated across linguistic and national boundaries, provide a useful way to study postcolonial nationalism, understood as the process of building political and cultural identity after colonial rule. By collecting, transcribing, and organizing these sources, the project makes them easier to access and compare across languages. The project also includes close reading of selected texts to show how the database can be used for analysis. By combining archival work with digital tools, it preserves fragile materials and creates a resource for future research. This database supports new work on media, history, and cross cultural exchange.
