Communication across Arabic dialects : code-switching and linguistic accommodation in informal conversational interactions /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1992.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The linguistic situation in Arabic is very complex, because several different varieties coexist-- the Standards, CLASSICAL ARABIC (CA), the language of the Qur'an, and MODERN STANDARD ARABIC (MSA), the written language of literature, journalism, and education; the colloquial spoken; varieties; and EDUCATED SPOKEN ARABIC (ESA), between the Standard and colloquial varieties. There is, therefore, a definite need for research into how speakers of Arabic cope with this complex linguistic situation. This study analyzes informal conversations of bilingual educated speakers of different urban varieties of Arabic, to investigate linguistic principles governing bilingual and diglossic code-switching, in terms of types, grammatical constraints, and function. ESA and CAIRENE ARABIC are investigated as to whether either is currently used as a LINGUA FRANCA common language used by speakers not sharing mutually intelligible languages or varieties) among Arabic speakers whose native varieties are different and may not be mutually intelligible. Also, differences in language and variety choice and code-switching strategies between genders are investigated. Linguistic perceptions and attitudes are also considered. The research used two educated, English-speaking, urban-dwelling informants, one of each gender, from Jordan, Iraq, Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Informal conversations, each lasting approximately 30 minutes, were arranged, to examine all combinations of informants, and then audio-taped. Mixed-gender groups were excluded due to cultural considerations. Afterwards, audio-taped telephone interviews were conducted. All taping was with the informants' advance written consent. The study suggests that in informal conversations, educated Arabic speakers do not necessarily use a particular variety of Arabic as a lingua franca, but rather employ other strategies such as switching between colloquial and Standard varieties of Arabic and into other languages. Cairene Arabic is widely understood throughout the Arab world, but is not used as a lingua franca. The study appears co confirm that code-switching is rule-governed. The females switched mostly into other colloquials; the males switched not only into other colloquials, but used more Standard forms also. Code-switching was sometimes found to be influenced by linguistic perceptions and attitudes. The study suggests that diglossic code-switching and bilingual code-switching are closely interrelated. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: English." |
| Physical Description: | xiv, 266 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |