This collection of essays brings to Jewish Language Studies the conceptual frameworks that have become increasingly important to Jewish Studies more generally: transnationalism, multiculturalism, globalization, hybrid cultures, multilingualism, and interlingual contexts. Languages of Modern Jewish Cultures collects work from prominent scholars in the field, bringing world literary and linguistic perspectives to generate distinctively new historical, cultural, theoretical, and scientific approaches to this topic of ongoing interest. Chapters of this edited volume consider from multiple angles the cultural politics of myths, fantasies, and anxieties of linguistic multiplicity in the history, cultures, folkways, and politics of global Jewry. Methodological range is as important to this project as linguistic range. Thus, in addition to approaches that highlight influence, borrowings, or acculturation, the volume represents those that highlight syncretism, the material conditions of Jewish life, and comparatist perspectives.

Joshua L. Miller is Associate Professor of English at the University of Michigan.
 
Anita Norich is Tikva Frymer-Kensky Collegiate Professor of English and Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan.
 

“Absolutely enlightening! [This book] will surely establish itself as a landmark edition on the fascinating and complex questions of Jewish languages and cultures in comparative perspective.”
—James E. Young, University of Massachusetts–Amherst

“A rich and heartening presentation of some of the best voices on Jewish language—scholarly, poetic, passionate, and learned—and a compelling reminder of the complex range of idioms of Jewish life and thought."
—Jonathan Boyarin, Cornell University

"Language of Modern Jewish Cultures makes an important contribution toward an elusive goal, often posited but rarely achieved: conversation between language scholars across disciplines."
—Journal of Jewish Languages