Globalization and identities : effect of globalization on self

Abstract EN

The accelerating pace of globalization, the buzzword since 1990, is the cause of many socio-cultural complexities.

Owing to globalization, literary texts became more vital to students communicative and critical awareness of the world around them; however, a resistance to literary works may occur when conflicting cultural codes exist.

In fact, alienation and even self effacement may take place as a consequence of creating homogeneity and global solidarity.

To postmodernists, meaning is no more inherent in the text but involve the reader in the process of interpretation.

In other words, intertextuality and deconstruction are more affirmed since the text is a series of markings, and language is an open system equipped with an endless play of signifiers that undermines words authority.

With postmodernism, the reader should not be a mere consumer but rather a free producer of text; therefore, the writerly text is preferable because it is open to a variety of interpretations.

Nevertheless, the most frequent argument remains: Does globalization, that cast a blanket of uniformity over the world, suffocate the cultures of the marginalized, and threat everything that determines cultural identity? What is the role of education in the global era? Does reading about the Other efface or affirm the Self?