“Arabes”, “Algériens” et autres appellations dans le discours camusien

Abstract

This article takes issue with retrospectivist criticisms of Camus for his allegedly exclusive use of the term ‘Arabs’ to refer to indigenous Algerians, a term seen as denying them a distinct national identity. The term ‘Arabs’, however, was part of everyday usage for the European population of the time, who – before the term was reappropriated by Algerian nationalists – described themselves as ‘Algerians’ by contrast. In fact, Camus uses the term ‘Algerians’ to refer to the indigenous population on a number of occasions, while in other instances, his terminology is inconsistent, as it is in Camus’s descriptions of his own identity.