Interdisciplinary workshop on the reception of Hitler's 'Mein Kampf'

The Institute for the Study of Language and Society at Aston University is organising a one-day workshop on the reception of Hitler's ‘Mein Kampf’ in the Anglo-American world. The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, 4 October 2003. Please forward this information to colleagues with research expertise or interest in this field. One of the main objectives of this workshop is to discuss possible misinterpretations of the book’s underlying ideology on the part of an English-speaking readership. The workshop will focus on the book’s reception between 1926 to 1945, and the following issues will be addressed:

• the origins of the book’s misinterpretations in relation to key political events (e.g. the underestimation of the book’s significance, its content and rhetorical force by contemporary observers)
• the role of language and translation in the book’s reception and (mis)interpretation as a corollary of this general underestimation

This workshop will bring together scholars from a variety of disciplines to discuss how the ideological implications of the English translations may have caused misinterpretations in political/intellectual circles and the general public. We plan to have several presentations to be followed by general discussions. Contributions are invited from scholars from such diverse fields as Political/Social Theory, Literary Theory, History, Sociology, German Studies, or (Critical) Linguistics with an interest in this topic.

If you would like to present a paper, please send an abstract of max 300 words via e-mail. DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS: Friday, 22 August 2003

Alternatively, if you would like to attend the workshop, please contact us at one of the addresses below. The fee, which includes a buffet lunch and refreshments, will be £10.