| Тойм: | This paper analyzes linguistic transformations of the Arabic language that have been taking place since the start of the revolution in March 2011. Building on Basil Bernstein‟s sociolinguistic theory of language codes (2002), the paper starts by providing an analysis of the communication codes developed by several Syrian communities (in Damascus, Homs, and Hama) since the 1970s. In doing so, the paper argues that restricted codes were used by individuals across social classes and religious communities in the face of an oppressing regime. The paper then moves to the examination of the current impact of the political demonstrations and activism on the Arabic language in Syria, and argues that four significant changes are noticeable: a creativity process through which new words have been formed, while other existing words have undergone semantic changes (using Laurie Bauer‟s theory of naming needs); the rise of popular Syrian slogans adopted and quoted in the Arabic media in their dialectal form; a battle of words taking place between the anti-Assad demonstrators and the pro-Assad counterparts; and a symbolic use of language to show the unity of the Syrian people. These findings demonstrate both the changing nature of the Arabic language and the significant impact conflict situations may carry upon it. While these findings apply to Syria and its particular case in the Arab Spring, they may advance sociolinguistic studies of language creativity in zones of political repression and conflict.
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