Arabic-L:LING:MEMRI

[Dilworth Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Mon 18 Feb 2008
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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-------------------------Directory------------------------------------

1) Subject:MEMRI
2) Subject:MEMRI

-------------------------Messages-----------------------------------
1)
Date: 18 Feb 2008
From:Chris H <kaix04holmanski77 at hotmail.com>
Subject:MEMRI

Hello everyone.

Forgive me for my thoughts on the matter, but it seems to me that any  
source we use is going to have an inherent bias or other issue.  Given  
the way that Arabic-speaking regions are often covered by all forms of  
media, I find it hard to think of a source that offers up material in  
a way that is devoid of bias, agenda, or even plain old ignorance.  I  
may be wrong, but I doubt that those who decry the use of MEMRI would  
offer the same level of critique for other sources that they use.   
That is, while pointing out MEMRI's bias and intent with its work is  
something I agree with, I have yet to see anyone personally or hear  
anyone comment about how they vet all other sources that they use for  
their students and then pass on that information to the students prior  
to using any source.

Surely, many of us exercise neutrality in picking out source material  
and our texts tend to find generic material that is apolitical.   
However, I think that by not using MEMRI or other sources that have  
similar (valid) criticisms, we are not giving our students an  
introduction to the reality of the media scene in Arabic-speaking  
regions and around the globe.  We are not teaching classes on the  
ethics of journalism, but to think that our students will not one day  
run across MEMRI, et al. on their own is naive.  It's also a  
disservice to our students that we do not provide them with exposure  
to these and all other sources that we can find so that they are  
exposed to situations with the language in the media that are not  
uncommon.  I guess my point is that while many of us have visceral  
feelings about one source or another, using them to help our students  
use Arabic and to think critically while doing so is only something  
that can benefit them as they venture beyond our mostly apolitical  
texts and the typically sterile classroom environment.  It also equips  
them to be active participants in important conversations on matters  
such as MEMRI's biases.  After all, will some of them not be posting  
on here about the same topic some day in the near future?

If you cannot tell, I use MEMRI in my classes from time to time.  I do  
point out that I am not using it as a source because I support what is  
being said, and I ensure that my students know that MEMRI (as well as  
other sources) write from a point of view.  I feel that with few  
exceptions, most of my students are mature enough to think for  
themselves and to take the MEMRI videos I have used as source material  
that is definitely biased but also a good source for training in  
second-language acquisition.  So far, none have changed their  
ideological stances one way or another based upon one source or  
another that I have used in class.  They are, however, more informed  
students of Arabic.

One last caveat on this matter, is that I do not use MEMRI until the  
2nd year and even then it is not my regular source.  I use Al-Jazeera,  
a variety of Arabic newspapers, BBC Online, CNN Arabic, my own  
writings, the opinions of my students and whatever else I can get a  
hand on that I think will expand my students experience through a  
critical use of the language.

Cheers!

Chris Holman
Arabic Instructor
University of Oregon

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2)
Date: 18 Feb 2008
From:"Haroon Shirwani" <arabictutor at hotmail.com>
Subject:MEMRI

Mike is definitely right about one thing regarding MEMRI TV: nowhere  
else is there such a large and eminently useable set of short clips in  
Arabic, with translation. MEMRI TV is a goldmine for Arabic teachers,  
albeit one that requires qualification and contextualisation. My  
students understood pretty quickly that this is not a source for  
balanced coverage of the Middle East, and that anything they hear must  
be taken with a fairly large pinch of Dead Sea salt. Even then, I  
managed to pick out clips that showed a broad range of opinions.

If a teacher has a fairly bright set of students with a critical  
approach to news media (and in my case, thought I don't think this is  
the preserve of British classrooms, a deep love of irony), then I  
think MEMRI TV is a good resource. That is, until lovers of the Arab  
world get their act together and produce a viable alternative.

Best wishes,
Haroon

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End of Arabic-L:  18 Feb 2008