Arabic Sociolinguistics

Written by four leading experts this book provides a comprehensive overview of sociolinguistic variation and linguistic change in Arabic. It introduces sociolinguistic theory methods and data step-by-step using accessible language and extensive examples throughout. Topics covered include sociolinguistic methodology social variables language change spatial variation and contact and diffusion. Each topic is explained and illustrated using empirical data drawn from a wide array of Arabic-speaking communities in the Middle East and North Africa as well as other parts of the world where Arabic is or was spoken to provide a rich resource of individual dialects as well as a comparative view of variation in Arabic. Each chapter also contains annotated suggestions for further reading and elaborate exercises. It is an essential resource for students studying Arabic in its social context as well as anyone wishing to expand their knowledge of variation in Arabic.