Status and function of the English language in Qatar: a social semiotic perspective

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of the role(s) that the English language plays in the Qatari community. Firstly, it reviews the areas displaying the decisive role of the English language in Qatari society through a social semiotic analysis of a set of political cartoons published in the two best-selling Qatari newspapers, Al Sharq (The East) and Al Raya (The Banner), during the period of 2011-2014 in which a flurry of activity, in terms of both economic and linguistic changes, took place in Qatar. Secondly, it discusses the implications that the unequivocal priority given to the English language may have for Arab native speakers in the country by utilizing Foucault's concept of heterotopia. This paper concludes that English has occupied an influential role in Qatari society and has created a sense of estrangement among Arabic native residents of the country.