The Differences in Consonantal Pronunciation Between Formal English and Saudi Hijazi English and Their Implications for Oral Intralingual Translation

Abstract

Based on Mahboob and Elyas (World Engl 33(1):128–142, 2014), who identified an expanding circle variety of Englishes, known as ‘Saudi English’, the present paper addresses the consonantal variations between Formal English and a sub-variety of Saudi English, termed as ‘Saudi Hijazi English’. The paper presents the specific consonants of Saudi Hijazi English through conducting an interview with five Hijazi linguists to obtain qualitative data concerning the consonants that constitute Saudi Hijazi English sound system. The paper argues that there are eighteen consonants constituting Saudi Hijazi English sound system. This sound system is partly influenced by the sound system of Urban Hijazi dialect only and partly by the sound system of both Urban Hijazi dialect and Modern Standard Arabic together. Finally, the paper claims that the consonantal variations between Formal English and Saudi Hijazi English have certain implications for oral intralingual translation, particularly if the latter is unknown to the formal English speaker.