The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an Example
This study investigates the social and historical dynamics affecting the religion/sect-based linguistic distribution and associations of the Qaf variants, namely [q] and [ʔ]. The findings are based on the data gathered through interactions with 93 Arabic speakers from Tartus Center, Syria. The descr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Languages |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/8/3/167 |
| _version_ | 1797579207174258688 |
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| author | Tamam Mohamad |
| author_facet | Tamam Mohamad |
| author_sort | Tamam Mohamad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the social and historical dynamics affecting the religion/sect-based linguistic distribution and associations of the Qaf variants, namely [q] and [ʔ]. The findings are based on the data gathered through interactions with 93 Arabic speakers from Tartus Center, Syria. The descriptive analysis reveals the presence of religion/sect-based linguistic distribution, with [q] being dominant mainly among Alawites and [ʔ] being dominant among Sunnis and Christians and increasingly becoming popular among Alawites of the urban regions. The paper highlights the emergence of [q] as a religiously, socially, and symbolically marked Alawite variant during the war, contrary to the [ʔ], which became a supralocal and religiously neutral variant that speakers of marked [q] backgrounds can resort to at times of tension and social pressure. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:32:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-108c1e2a1c784e50a44e3ae3f9b734f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-471X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:32:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Languages |
| spelling | doaj.art-108c1e2a1c784e50a44e3ae3f9b734f52023-11-19T11:35:30ZengMDPI AGLanguages2226-471X2023-07-018316710.3390/languages8030167The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an ExampleTamam Mohamad0Department of Arabic Translation, Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, Tashkent 100173, UzbekistanThis study investigates the social and historical dynamics affecting the religion/sect-based linguistic distribution and associations of the Qaf variants, namely [q] and [ʔ]. The findings are based on the data gathered through interactions with 93 Arabic speakers from Tartus Center, Syria. The descriptive analysis reveals the presence of religion/sect-based linguistic distribution, with [q] being dominant mainly among Alawites and [ʔ] being dominant among Sunnis and Christians and increasingly becoming popular among Alawites of the urban regions. The paper highlights the emergence of [q] as a religiously, socially, and symbolically marked Alawite variant during the war, contrary to the [ʔ], which became a supralocal and religiously neutral variant that speakers of marked [q] backgrounds can resort to at times of tension and social pressure.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/8/3/167migrationvariationcontactmaintenancelevelingSyrian Arabic |
| spellingShingle | Tamam Mohamad The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an Example Languages migration variation contact maintenance leveling Syrian Arabic |
| title | The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an Example |
| title_full | The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an Example |
| title_fullStr | The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an Example |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an Example |
| title_short | The Status of Religion/Sect-Based Linguistic Variation in Tartus, Syria: Looking at the Nuances of Qaf as an Example |
| title_sort | status of religion sect based linguistic variation in tartus syria looking at the nuances of qaf as an example |
| topic | migration variation contact maintenance leveling Syrian Arabic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/8/3/167 |
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