The Relationship between Age, Gender, Prestige, Social Media, Area of Origin, Level of English Proficiency and the Use of White Language in Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The present study is conducted in order to explore the use of white language, which is defined as an Arabic language which contains the use of English words while using Arabic and that lacks any particular regional accent, vocabulary, or any other regional characteristics. Furthermore, it examined the relationship between the white language and the following: age, gender, prestige, social media, area of origin and English level of proficiency. The study used a quantitative research approach. In order to provide the data needed, the current study used a questionnaire as its instrument. The study sample included 627 citizens of Riyadh city. The findings of the study revealed that the sample was neutral to the use of white language. That is, sometimes they use it, and they do not use it. Furthermore, the analysis of the data showed that there was a relationship between social media, prestige and white language; participants who used social media more and who perceived white language as a prestigious language tended to use it more. In addition, it was revealed that there was a relationship between age and white language; as age increases, white language usage decreases. From the analysis, it was found that there were no differences between different areas of origin in the use of white language; however, there were differences in the use of non-regional vocabulary between central and southern areas of origin. Moreover, the findings uncovered the relationship between white language and the level of English proficiency; participants with a high command of English tend to use white language more. However, the results showed that the level of English proficiency has no relationship with the use of non-regional vocabulary. Finally, the findings further indicated that there were no differences between males and females in the use of white language. However, the findings suggested that there were differences between males and females in their use of code-switching.