The Resurfacing of Arabic Qaf [q] in the Speech of Young Ammani Females: A Sociolinguistic Study

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to explore the factors that affect the absence of the glottal stop [ʔ] and as a result, the resurfacing of the standard Arabic Qaf variable [q], in certain lexical items of young Ammani females who associate themselves with the Jordanian Arabic madani ('urban') dialect of which [ʔ] is a predominant feature. In particular, the study explores why this absence occurs from the perspectives of the speakers themselves in relation to their own language choices. Empirical data are collected through the use of a closed questionnaire and a focus group discussion. The findings reveal that one of the major factors for the resurfacing of [q] is related to the influence of family dialect and social networks and not because the target words are of a religious or formal origin, as once they might have been attested in the speech of older generations.