Influence of English and French on Arabic Dialects: A Sociolinguistic Study of Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, and the UAE

Abstract

This study investigates language borrowing with a specific focus on the incorporation of linguistic elements from French and English into Arabic dialects spoken in Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, and the UAE. These countries were selected due to their representative geographical distribution across the Arab world and their historical exposure to English and French. The research aims to identify the primary uses and functions of borrowed words and the reasons behind this linguistic phenomenon. A sociolinguistic perspective was employed to examine how speakers contribute to language change through borrowing. To achieve this, four groups of undergraduate students from the selected countries participated in an unstructured questionnaire, which they completed using their knowledge or through the top Arabic newspapers from their respective countries. Borrowed words were categorized by usage, function, source language, and reason for borrowing. The findings showed that most borrowed words from both French and English served technical or educational functions. The primary reasons for language borrowing were related to post-colonial linguistic influences and the need to adapt to globalization, especially in education and modern communication systems. This study underscores the role of language borrowing in shaping contemporary Arabic dialects.