Attitudes of Saudi students in the US towards Arabic diglossia | ||||
| حوليات أداب عين شمس | ||||
| Volume 53, Issue 7 - Serial Number 2, April 2025, Page 288-309 PDF (998.53 K) | ||||
| Document Type: المقالة الأصلية | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/aafu.2025.375498.1901 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
OBIED ALAQLOBI 
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| Department of English Language and Literature, College of Arts and Letters, University of Bisha, Bisha 67714, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| This study examines the perspectives of Saudi students in the United States regarding Arabic diglossia, particularly their preferences for Fusha Arabic (Standard Arabic) vs several colloquial Saudi dialects. The study used a meticulously crafted and tested questionnaire to investigate the impact of immersion in an English-centric academic and social milieu on these students' language practices and attitudes. The research seeks to ascertain the degree to which such exposure influences the utilisation of Arabic variants and to determine if regional dialectal backgrounds and demographic characteristics, including gender, contribute to the formation of these views. The study's findings indicate that, despite extended stay in the U.S., Arabic diglossia is predominantly maintained among the participants. Colloquial Arabic prevails in informal communication, although Fusha Arabic maintains its relevance in formal settings, including religious discussions, media, and education. The impact of English is apparent, especially among Najdi dialect speakers, whose sociolinguistic behaviour seems more prone to alteration. This trend illustrates wider societal processes and corresponds with sociolinguistic ideas on language contact and prestige. The study highlights the significance of promoting Arabic usage within expatriate populations, particularly in contexts where the original language contends with a prevailing foreign language. These findings enhance the broader discussion on diglossic sustainability and the negotiation of multilingual identity in global contexts. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| diglossia; Fusha Arabic; Colloquial Arabic | ||||
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