Proceedings of The 6th International Academic Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences
Year: 2021
DOI:
Phonological variation in the repertoire of an Israeli-Palestinian city
Amani Jaber
ABSTRACT:
This study investigated the sociolinguistic reflexes of phonological variation in the repertoire of Ṭaibeh* community. Changes in the local community repertoire were examined by age, gender and education for the effects of globalization, modernization, and Hebraization.
Furthermore, the study provides a better understanding of the sociolinguistic process of Israeli Palestinian speakers of Arabic in Ṭaibeh and the new varieties of Arabic. These changes were analyzed by three specific variables: age, gender, education. In addition, factors including: social class, economic status, group solidarity, traditions, and parental influence are discussed.
The study presents a research-based perspective on several sociolinguistic aspects of language varieties in a community experiencing major cultural change. Ṭaibeh is geographically closer to Hebrew speaking cities than other Arab cities and villages that have been studied ((Amara and Spolsky, 1995, 1996; Spolsky and Amara, 1997), Zalafa (Amara, 1986; Amara and Spolsky, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1995), Silwan (Abdeen, 2002), and Bethlehem (Amara, Spolsky & Tushyeh, 1999)) which intensifies the language contact between Arabic and Hebrew. The exposure to varied linguistic and social realities (including the influence of the internet and the social media) might reveal prominent differences in language maintenance and shift among interlocutors.
Before the establishment of the State of Israel, Ṭaibeh was a village and the center of trade and education for Arabs of the area. Consequently, there was a considerable contact between the foreign and local repertoires, including exposure to foreign languages. In the past, Ṭaibeh was the place of much political activity. The social and economic context of Ṭaibeh allowed many Arabs from other places to visit and interact with the local citizens. The interface between the local citizenry and the outsiders both Arab and Israeli are analyzed in this study by the following variables: age, gender, and education and supported by specific examples of native Arabic speakers of Ṭaibeh.
keywords: phonological variation, repertoire, bilinguals.