Vartan Matiossian's book is an erudite overview of the uses of the Armenian word Yeghern across the ages and an in-depth study of the systematic misuses of this same word in translation within the languages of the civilized world, especially in the last few decades, allegedly for the sake of reconciliation or for more obscure political reasons. The Politics of Naming the Armenian Genocide offers its readers a superb demonstration of the fact that, at least in the cases where genocidal will is at work, an event can acquire a historical existence only through its meaningful reception. This is yet another confirmation of the Hegelian law according to which there can be reality only there where some sense is involved, albeit retrospectively.

Marc Nichanian, author of The Historiographic Perversion (2009)

Matiossian offers an analytical narrative of the changing uses of “Medz Yeghern,” one
of several terms used by Armenians to denote the genocide they suffered a generation
before Lemkin invented that English term. Immersed in the historical record as well as
the contemporary archives of Armenian genocide memorialization, Turkish denial and
American collaboration with that effort, Matiossian offers a matchless analysis of texts
ranging from newspaper articles and books to 114 monuments and shows how diplomats
seeking to evade the moral and legal consequences of fully acknowledging the genocide
sought to use the Armenian term for shameful camouflage. His compelling analysis is a
unique contribution and its two lengthy Appendices offer a matchless record for future
investigations of the links between language and politics.

Khachig Tölölyan, Emeritus Professor of Letters, Wesleyan University, USA