Abd Al Latif Mahfouz
Abd Al Latif Mahfouz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Morocco |
| Occupation(s) | Scholar, intellectual, literary critic, professor |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Known for | Semiotics, narrative discourse analysis, Arabic literary criticism |
Abd Al Latif Mahfouz (Arabic: عبد اللطيف محفوظ) is a Moroccan scholar, intellectual, and faculty member at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Ben M'sik – Hassan II University in Casablanca. He leads the semiotics laboratory dedicated to the study and interpretation of literary and artistic discourses within the same institution.
Mahfouz's initial critical publication, released in 1989, was titled Wadifat Al Wasef Fi Al Riwaya (The Role of Description in the Novel). His scholarly approach is grounded in pragmatic epistemology and semiotics, emphasizing semiotic narrative techniques to broaden the horizons of Arab storytelling by examining how the Arabic narrative text is constructed both linguistically and structurally. Over a span exceeding 25 years, he has authored numerous significant works that merge theoretical frameworks with practical analysis, including Aliat Intaj Al Nas Al Riwayi (Mechanisms of Narrative Text Production), Al Maenaa wa Fardiaat Al Iintaj: Muqaraba Simiayiya (Meaning and Production Hypotheses: A Semiotic Perspective), Simyayiyaat Al Tazhir (The Semiotics of Endorsement), and Albinae wa Aldalala fi Al Riwaya: Muqaraba min Manzur Simiayiyat Al Sard (Construction and Significance in the Novel: A Narrative Semiotics Approach).
In addition to his contributions to semiotics and literary critique, Mahfouz has ventured into creative writing. His autobiography, Rohab Mutaeadid (Multiple Phobias), was published in January 2019 by Dar Al-Fasla in Tangiers, quickly necessitating a second edition due to popular demand. Subsequently, in 2021, he issued the novel Wadi Al Laban (Valley of Milk) through the same publishing house.
Regarding his autobiography Rohab Mutaeadid, Mahfouz characterized it as an exploration of societal values during the 1960s and 1970s in Fez, depicted through seemingly mundane incidents whose ensuing reactions unveil underlying social norms. He also noted transformations in public sentiment shaped by emerging entertainment mediums such as television and cinema, which significantly influenced Morocco’s social evolution and cultural openness.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Arabic Language and Literature from the Faculty of Arts, Rabat, earned in 1982.
- Certificate of Advanced Studies obtained at the Faculty of Arts, Rabat, in 1984.
- Postgraduate Diploma awarded by the Faculty of Arts, Rabat, in 1987.
- State Doctorate completed at the Faculty of Arts, Rabat, in 2000.
Professional career
- Served as Professor of Higher Education at Ben M'sik Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Casablanca (Hassan II University) from 2004 until 2021.
- Held the title of Qualified Professor between 2000 and 2004.
- Worked as Assistant Professor of Higher Education from 1987 through 2000.
- Directed the Department of Arabic Language and Literature between 2002 and 2011.
- Led the PhD program "In Reading Theories and Curricula" from 2002 to 2008.
- Coordinated Arabic Studies courses during the period from 2002 to 2006.
- Has been overseeing Ph.D. training focused on "Narrative Discourse Analysis" since 2009.
- Managed the Master’s program in Semiotics and Discourse Analysis between 2015 and 2019.
- Directed the Laboratory for Semiotics and Analysis of Literary and Artistic Discourses from 2016 to 2021.
- Acted as a national expert for the National Committee responsible for accrediting Master's and Doctoral programs during 2009–2010.
- Supervised numerous doctoral theses across Moroccan and Arab universities covering topics such as reading theories, narrative discourse analysis, advertising, and media professions.
Critical works
- Wazifat Alwasf fi Alriwaya (The Function of Description in the Novel), Dar Al-Yusr, Casablanca, 1989; subsequent editions by Saroud Publications (2009), Dar Al-Uloom Beirut & Al-Ikhtifaf Algeria (2009), Dar Al-Naya (2014).
- Aliat Intaj Al Nas Al Riwa (Mechanisms for Producing Narrative Texts), Moroccan Qalam Publications (2006); Dar Al-Uloom Beirut & Al-Tikhrif Algeria (2008); Dar Al-Naya (2014).
- Al maenaa wa Fardiaat al'iintaj (Meaning and Production Hypotheses), Dar Al Uloom Beirut & Al-Tikhrif Algeria (2008); Dar Al-Naya Damascus Beirut (2014); Semiotics Lab Casablanca publications (2021).
- Simyayiyaat Al Tazhiri (Semiotics of Endorsement), Dar Al Uloom Beirut & Al Ikhtilaf Algeria (2009); Dar Al-Naya Damascus (2014); Dar Al-Hiwar Lattakia (2021).
- Al Binae wa Al Dalal fi Al Riwaya (Structure and Meaning in the Novel), Dar Al-Uloom Beirut & Al-Ikhtilaf Algeria (2010); Dar Al-Naya (2014).
- Siagh Al Tazhir Al Riway (Forms of Narrative Endorsement), Faculty of Letters Ben M'sik publications (2011); Dar Al-Naya (2014).
- Forthcoming: Mmahafil binae Al Riwayat: Muqaraba Simyayiya (Novel Construction Forums: A Semiotic Approach), Fasila Publications, 2021.
Creative writing
- Rohab mutaeadid (Multiple Phobias), Fassa Publishing House, Tangiers, 2019.
- Wadi Al-Laban (Valley of Milk), Dar Fasla, Tangiers, 2021.
Collaborative volumes
- Alamahu Al Bayan (Teach Him Expression), Association of Moroccan Writers, 2003.
- Al Adab Al Maghribi Al Hadith: Alamat wa Maqasid (Modern Moroccan Literature: Signs and Objectives), Association of Moroccan Writers, 2006.
- Al Adab Al Magharibi Al Yawm (Contemporary Maghreb Literature), Moroccan Writers Union, 2006.
- Al Mashrue Al Naqdi Al Maftuh (The Open Critical Project), edited by Mahfouz, Dar Al Uloom Beirut & Al-Ikhtilaf Algeria, 2009.
- Al Adab Al Imarati Al Hadith (Contemporary Emirati Literature) featuring Moroccan authors, Assila Forum, 2010.
- Al Hikaya Al Shaebia (Folktale Studies), Philadelphia University Press, 2011.
- Al Riwaya wa Al Taarikh (Novel and History), Dar Al-Intishar Publishing House, 2013.
- Simyayiyaat Al Nas AlThaqafii Al Eumany (Semiotics of Omani Cultural Texts), Qaboos University Press, 2014.
- Nabil Ayouch, Moroccan Association of Film Critics publications, 2015.
- Al Kitaba wa Al Tajruba (Writing and Experience), Approaches Publications Axe., 2017.
- Fi Al Haja Ila Al Taawil (In Need for Interpretation), Faculty of Arts Tetouan publications, 2018.
- Dirasat Adabiat wa Lisaniat (Literary and Linguistic Studies), Faculty of Arts Ben M'sik publications, 2019.
- Al Jasad wa Al Muqadas fi Al Cenema (The Body and Sacredness in Cinema), Faculty of Arts Ben M'sik publications, 2021.
| Title | Language | Publisher | Year | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wazifat Alwasf Fi Alriwaya
(The Role of Description in the Novel) |
Arabic | Al Dar Al Arabya li Al Ulum | 2014 | 76 | Not available |
| Albina' wa Aldalal fi Al Riwaya: Muqaraba min Manzur Simyayiyat al Sard
(Construction and Meaning in the Novel; Narrative Semiotics Approach) |
Arabic | Al Dar Al Arabya li Al Ulum | 2010 | 432 | Not available |
| Aliat Intaj Al Nas Al Riwayi: Nahw Tasawur Simyayi
(Mechanisms for Producing Narrative Texts; Semiotic Conception) |
Arabic | Al Dar Al Arabya li Al Ulum | Not specified | 268 | Not available |
| Aliat Intaj Al Nas Al Riwayi: Nahw Tasawur Simyayi
(Mechanisms for Producing Narrative Texts; Semiotic Conception) |
Arabic | Al Ikhtilaf | 2008 | 230 | 9789953873114 |
| Al Mana wa Faradyat Aal Intaj
(Meaning and Production Hypotheses) |
Arabic | Al Ikhtilaf | Not specified | Not specified | 9789953873961 |
| Simyaiyat Al Tazhir
(Semiotics of Endorsement) |
Arabic | Al Naya li Dirasat | 2009 | Not specified | Not available |
| Mohammad Meftah – Al Mashrue Al Naqdi al Maftuh (Al Simyaiyat – Al Tadawolyat)
(The Open Critical Project - Semiotics & Pragmatics) |
Arabic | Al Dar Al Arabya li Al Ulum | 2009 | 239 | Not available |
| Rohab Motaedid
(Multiple Phobias) |
Arabic | Dar Fasila | 2019 | 122 | 9789920701174 |
| Siagh Al Tamazhur al Riwayi Bahth fi Dalat al Ashkal
(Forms of Narrative Appearance; Meaning Investigation) |
Arabic | Dar al Naya | 2014 | 208 | 9789933519056 |