Language attitudes in fast-growing societies

New insights in the dynamism dimension

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22233566
AutoresLaila Mobarak Alhazmi (0000-0002-2716-406X, King Abdulaziz University, autor correspondente)
Ano2023
Volume10
Fascículo1
Data de publicação2023-08-04
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoHumanities and Social Sciences Communications (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2662-9992 • E-ISSN: 2662-9992
EditoraSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1057/s41599-023-01988-1
OpenAlexW4385892012
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas6
Referências citadas46

This paper explores broad language attitudes in Saudi Arabia. Using a verbal guise technique in an online questionnaire, the study investigates 568 Saudi participants’ attitudes toward four main dialects in the country. The results revealed a three-dimensional model that includes a two-type dynamism dimension and a solidarity dimension. The model adds to the previous discussion on language attitudes research, particularly to the topic of the dynamism dimension. The dimensional model contributes to language attitudes theory by challenging the dominance and significance of the dynamism dimension instead of the status dimension in rapidly urbanised countries such as Saudi Arabia. The findings also indicate that attitudes are affected by the social factors of dialect, gender, place of birth, and level of education. Three patterns emerged from social background effects: in-group loyalty, female participants’ willingness and acceptance towards dialect variations in Saudi Arabia and the impact of education in fostering less biased attitudes. The paper discusses the implications for Saudi Arabia’s educational system, proposing the inclusion of an educational programme in schools to enhance understanding of the value of linguistic and cultural diversity. Additionally, it highlights the role of media in reducing prejudice towards specific dialects

Dynamism · Epistemology · Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory · Loyalty · Political science · Sociology · Solidarity · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology