Abstract
THE SEMANTIC FIELDS OF UMMA ARABIYYA (ARAB NATION) IN NASSER'S SPEECHES (1952-1970) The notion of umma arabiyya (Arab nation) is central to Nasser's discourse. In order to examine this notion M.N. noted, classified and analysed the contexts in which it was used, according to the system of relations with the words qualifying it, those with which it was associated, those to which it was opposed or equivalent and those which describe the ways in which umma arabiyya establishes itself. A table listing the attributes of the umma arabiyya highlights Nasser's need for unity (wahida,) over and above its divisions (mumazzaquaj. His objectives were also centred on a conception of freedom and of socialism more concerned with ideology than with sociology. Certain usages reinforced this action : Nasser began by referring to the « Arab peoples », then to the « Popular army », and finally to « workers », « masses », « we ». Other forces are in conflict with the umma : « enemies » generally, « British invaders » particularly, but also « colonialism », « Zionism », « Israel ». Nasser clearly favoured a state both non-racist and non- fanatical. The umma arabiyya was never considered as a umma islâmiyya (Islamic nation).