Saudis’ Attitudes Towards Their Dialects: A Keyword Technique

Abstract

Language attitude research uncovers perceptions about the diversity of languages and dialects. It follows how such diversity is stereotypically perceived, which influences the usage of dialects among people. Therefore, diverse contexts, such as Saudi Arabia, necessitate research attention to reveal how stereotypes Saudis hold towards their dialects might affect their usage. Little research has focused on the broad language attitudes in Saudi Arabia, and none of the previous studies have identified the major language attitudes in the region using keyword technique. Using an open-ended questionnaire, the present study identifies the major attitudes regarding the main dialects in the country: Central, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western dialects. The names of the dialects were represented conceptually in the questionnaire. Seventy-eight participants were recruited for the study. First, they were asked to write down their first impressions of Saudi dialects. Second, they were asked to name the most dominant spoken dialect. Eight evaluative themes emerged from the study: affective positive, affective negative, linguistic features, awareness of language variation, cultural association, geographical association, tradition and modernity. Each of them reflects vivid stereotypical suppositions of the dialects. Furthermore, 68% of participants perceived Najdi as the most dominant dialect in Saudi Arabia. KEYWORDS Sociolinguistics, language attitudes, perceptions, stereotype, evaluative profiles, Saudi Arabia