EXPLORING VARIATION AND CHANGE IN HUTHAIL ARABIC: THE CASE OF THE FIRST-PERSON PRONOUN

Abstract

This dissertation presents a variationist sociolinguistic investigation of the Huthail Arabic dialect spoken in Alshafa village, western Saudi Arabia. It investigates dialect leveling and the impact of social factors—age, education, and gender—on the evolution of the Huthail dialect, particularly focusing on the morphological variable of the first-person singular possessive and object pronoun. The research employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, utilizing sociolinguistic interviews with 24 Huthail native speakers across different age groups and genders alongside information about speaker attitudes assessed through identity questionnaires. Quantitatively, the study reveals that age, education, and gender significantly influence the use of the traditional [jah] variant, with a notable generational shift towards standard Arabic features among younger speakers, signifying dialectal change. Older and less-educated women exhibit a strong preference for [jah], symbolizing their role in preserving linguistic heritage. Conversely, educated older individuals and middle-aged speakers show a declining use of [jah], especially among men, indicating a transitional phase influenced by changing social dynamics and exposure to broader dialects. Qualitatively, the analysis of attitudes uncovers a complex interplay between tradition and modernity within the community. Older and uneducated women hold strong traditionalist views and a deep attachment to the dialect and village life, whereas younger generations adjust their speech in formal settings and express concerns over stereotypes associated with the 'Bedouin' dialect. Young women, in particular, are less inclined to defend village stereotypes, reflecting a change in social and cultural perspectives. Middle-aged individuals straddle these viewpoints, acknowledging both the benefits and challenges of traditional village life. This investigation fills a gap in sociolinguistic research on Bedouin dialects in Saudi Arabia, linking broader socio-economic transformations to language evolution in minority dialect communities. It underscores how education, age, and gender drive linguistic variation and change, and how community perceptions and attitudes shape dialectal evolution amidst rapid societal shifts. By tracking language change the Huthail community, the dissertation contributes valuable insights into the preservation of cultural identity and the adaptation to societal changes, offering a nuanced understanding of dialect leveling in the context of Saudi Arabia's rapid modernization.