The Impact of Arabic Diglossia on L2 Muslim Learners' Motivations in Learning Arabic: A Study on the Muslim Community in the UK

Abstract

Diglossia is one of the Arabic language features. Arabic diglossia refers to the existence of different varieties or levels (Al-Batal, 1995). It involves the use of two or more different levels of one language in a society for different purposes and functions. As Arabic is the language of Islam, it has become a required language for Muslims to perform Islamic practices and understanding Islamic beliefs. The diglossic nature of Arabic causes some barriers and challenges to nonnative Arabic speakers in terms of teaching and learning Arabic as a second language (Palmer, 2007; 2008). The variations between the written Arabic and the spoken Arabic, that they are used for different purposes and in different contexts, can confuse L2 learners of Arabic. As a result, it is assumed that Arabic may influence the learning process of nonnative Arabic speakers of Muslims. this enquiry aims to study whether the phenomenon of Arabic diglossia impacts on L2 Muslim learners’ motivation in learning Arabic as a second/foreign language. To investigate such situation more in-depth, a qualitative approach was adopted through using a semi-structured interview instrument with five British Muslim adults who have experienced learning Arabic as a second/foreign language. It has been found that the Arabic diglossia influence on L2 Muslim learners of Arabic who are interesting more in learning Arabic for communication. However, the participants, who believes that fus’ha is sufficient for communication, stated that Arabic diglossia motivates them to continue learning Arabic because it leads to understand the culture of Arabic language and Arabs. Additionally, it has been found that the Muslims’ primary purpose of learning Arabic is religious, and they are aware of the phenomenon of Arabic diglossia.