Abstract

This thesis offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the semantic and neurolinguistic development of Al-Mullalah, a traditional Palestinian "coded" song type. By combining metonymy, soundscape analysis, and functional neuroimaging, the study traces the evolution of Al-Mullalah from a localized, covert means of communication tied to historical struggle to a globally recognized auditory symbol of collective resilience. The research uses a multi-method approach. First, soundscape analysis demonstrates how Al-Mullalah functions within Palestinian aural counterpublics, strengthening communal memory through various uses. Second, a qualitative analysis of semantics and themes examines how the text's metonymic structures change over time. Lastly, a Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) experiment provides empirical data on how these coded songs are processed cognitively by Palestinian and non-Palestinian Arabic speakers. This neuroimaging component investigates whether Al-Mullalah acts as a neurologically embedded, culturally specific memory trigger, revealing different regional neural. The study findings reveal that the meaning of the cultural soundscape Al-Mullalah has transformed from past to present. This shift illustrates how sound serves as a tool for creating spaces to voice opinions and as a means of archiving. Not only are written and documented materials regarded as archives, but the cultural soundscape itself can also serve as a novel method for preserving history across generations. In addition, the semantic comparative analysis of Al-Mullalah highlights how the Palestinian coded song has undergone a metonymic shift in meaning and transitioned from serving as a linguistic communication code in historical songs to becoming an aesthetic marker of memory and resilience in modern poetry. This evolution is reflected neurologically. The data show a clear functional divergence: Palestinian listeners activated regions related to social and cultural evaluation, while non-Palestinian listeners tended to engage areas involved in semantic decoding and cognitive effort. Ultimately, this transition emphasizes a shift from a direct communication tool to a broader auditory symbol of identity, bridging historical auditory experiences with contemporary cultural resilience.

Degree

College and Department

Humanities; Linguistics

Rights

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