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A phenomenology of islands
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 18:00 authored by Peter HayThe question is posed: is a coherent theory of islandness – nissology – possible? Faultlines within constructions of islands and islandness are noted. Some of these axes of contestation have remained latent but have the potential to be sharply divisive. Three of the identified faultlines are examined – the nature of the island ‘edge’, the import for questions of island memory and identity of massive inward and outward movements of people, and the appropriation of island ‘realness’ by those for whom ‘island’ best functions as metaphor. A case is made for the excision of the latter from the purview of island studies. Despite apparent irreconcilability within island studies’ emerging faultlines, it is argued that place theory does constitute a theoretical framing that can work for island studies. Following a brief overview of the faultlines that also exist within place studies, it is noted that the difference-respecting and identity focused nature of phenomenology of place is particularly apposite for island studies, and the paper concludes with a consideration of what a phenomenology of islands might look like.
History
Publication title
Island Studies JournalPagination
19-42ISSN
1715-2593Department/School
School of Geography, Planning and Spatial SciencesPublisher
Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward IslandPlace of publication
Charlottetown PE, CanadaRights statement
Copyright 2006 Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward IslandRepository Status
- Restricted