Linguistic transformation and preservation of the mother tongue of Saudi Postgraduate scholarship students and their children

Abstract

Experiences of linguistic shift (LS) and language maintenance (LM) among Saudi postgraduates who had returned home from studying internationally were investigated. Assessment of perspectives of their first language (L1) among the learners and their children was undertaken, in addition to efforts at advocating language maintenance adopted by educational facilities, cultural and religious associations, as well as the learners themselves. Furthermore, the strengthening of language maintenance in particular fields was examined. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to discuss with and observe Saudi postgraduate students, who possessed over five years of study experience in nations where the first language is English. Evidently, no robust ties to their L1 are felt by young learners, even though their language is appreciated by postgraduate learners and they exert themselves to maintain it. Thus, a decline in L1 writing capabilities occurs, while code reversals pervade their L1. The lack of impact on L1 from language shift has been established in recent studies, while the limited duration of the issue was identified in the existing literature. Maintaining one’s L1 is affected by numerous variables, challenging common perceptions. With postgraduate learners studying and working internationally, their instruction in Arabic and English has led to a multilingual society emerging when they return home. However, isolation from and eradication of cultural norms is just one of the various detrimental outcomes of linguicide which stems from language shifts. Accordingly, this study aimed to establish the extent to which a marked change in language ability occurs among Saudi postgraduate learners when they come home.