English as a Lingua Franca: Evolution of Arab Linguistic and Cultural Identity
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Transcript of English as a Lingua Franca: Evolution of Arab Linguistic and Cultural Identity
English as a Lingua Franca: Evolution of ArabLinguistic Identity
23 January, 2012Foundation Program
Qatar Universityby Ozgur Pala
What?
• Dominance of English has challenged Gulf Arabs’ self-perceptions about their language and culture.
• No study has investigated how English as a lingua franca (ELF) affects and shapes cultural and linguistic identity of locals in Qatar.
• This research study replicates Seppala’s study (2011) conducted in China.
Overview
• Historical Perspective• Research Questions and Aim • Respondents • Methods of Data Collection • Conclusions and Implications• Limitations• Future Research
Qatar
• Ottoman Rule until 1916• British Protectorate between 1916-1971 • Strategic location = trade routes to India • Rich gas reserves• Incredible pace of economic growth
English in Qatar
• Geographical location = close contact with other languages and cultures
• Positive attitudes towards English = integration of English into public schools
• Globalization & economic growth = foreigners • Grand scale investments in education (in English)• English dominates every sphere of Qatari life • Arabic challenged & relegated• Concerns about Arabic L & Arab cultural identity
Research Questions
1. Has the increasing need for and use of English affected the Qataris, their linguistic and cultural identity?
2. Have the Qatari university students’ attitudes towards Arab (and Western) culture and Arabic language changed with increased knowledge of English and the Western culture(s)?
Aim
• The aim of the study is exploring: – how has ELF changed respondents’ attitudes
towards Arabic and Arab culture.– how those attitudes shape their cultural identity
as modern, educated Qatari Arabs.
Methods of Data Collection
• Questionnaire – online– 29 Qs, some semi-open
• follow-up Q such as “if yes, how?”, “if yes/no, why?”
– given one week to complete– 95 respondents – Arabic translation of some difficult concepts– not possible to leave and resume– Answers are personal, no help from classmates or
friends
Methods of Data Collection
• Interview– 2 weeks after the Q– A’s from whole class discussion and selected
respondents– Qs in advance; additional explanations provided– dictionary allowed – took 2 weeks
Methods of Data Collection
• Interview – semi-structured – Most Qs repeated in different ways– some Qs skipped according to previous answers – free conversation style– Qs moved from simple and personal to complex and
impersonal – No pre-set categories. Tried to include all
representative answers. No numbers/percentages used while analyzing open-ended Qs.
1. How old are you?
17 18 19 20 21 24 N/A0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2. What is your sex?
020406080
100
3. Where were you born?
020406080
4. What is your mother language?
Arabic Other0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
5. What other languages (other than Arabic) do you speak fluently?
English Farsi Urdu Bengali Balooshi 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
6. & 7. What is your father’s/mother’s most recent degree?
Elementary School
High School BA MA PhD0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
8. Which other members of your immediate family speak English fluently?
Father Mother Sister Brother No one0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
9. How many years have you studied the English language?
1-3 years 4-6 years 7-9 years 10-12 years0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
10. & 11. Do you think that every non-Arabic speaker who lives in Qatar should/need learn and
speak Arabic?
Yes No Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70SHOULDNEED TO
10. Do you think that everyone who lives in Qatar should learn and speak Arabic?
Yes, because…
We learn/speak E; they should learn/speak A
Q is an Arabic country
A is good for finding jobs, friends
Some ppl don’t understand E
Easy communication with locals
A is the official L in Qatar
5
10
11
13
17
21
10. Do you think that everyone who lives in Qatar should learn and speak Arabic?
No, because…
Everyone has own their own NL
Up to people's choice
E is more important than Arabic
A isn't needed for communication
Arabic is difficult
E is common language
3
4
9
15
17
19
12. Do you think that all Arabs should speak Classical Arabic (الفصحى) ?
Yes No Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
12. Do you think that all Arabs should speak Classical (الفصحى) Arabic?
Yes, because…
Classical A will unite all Arabs
Preserving (original) A is a must
Classical A is the L of Quran
9
19
25
12. Do you think that all Arabs should speak Classical (الفصحى) Arabic?
No, because…
Different dialects of A represent different identities
CA is for education only
CA isn't used in daily life/not practical
CA is boring
CA is difficult
5
25
30
35
55
13. Do you think that people living in Arabic-speaking countries should learn Arabic?
14. Do you think that all Arabs should learn the English language?
Yes No Skipped0
102030405060708090
Should learn ArabicShould learn English
15. Do you feel that the Arabic language is an important part of the Arab culture?
Yes No Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
15. Do you feel that the Arabic language is an important part of the Arab culture?
Yes, because…
Arabic words carry A culture
Customs, traditions conveyed with A
A is the L of Quran; Arabs are Muslims
15
35
42
16. The increasing use of the English language in Qatar has changed the cultural identity
( الثقافية ?of Qataris. Do you agree (الهوية
Yes No Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
17. In what areas do you feel the influence of English most in Qatar?
Education Business All areas Banking Sports Skipped0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
18. Do you think that learning English language has affected your cultural identity?
Yes No Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
19 & 20 Studying the English language and culture has changed your opinion about the
Western/Arab culture, people and the way of life.
Yes, positively Yes, negatively No Skipped 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
WESTERN
ARAB
21. Do you think that learning English in Qatar today is very important?
Yes Not sure No Skipped 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
22. In what ways do you think being fluent in English will affect your future?
Career Education Communication Travelling Skipped 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
23. When you travel outside Qatar, which L’s do you use to communicate there?
English Arabic Other Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
24. What would you say your way of life ( الحياة ?is (طريقة
Arabic A mixture of Western and
Arabic
Hard to say Western Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
25. Which culture/way of life do you find more attractive, the Arab or the Western?
Arab Western Equally appealing Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
26. Would you say you are the same as, or different from, most Qatari Arab people in terms of your way of life, likes, dislikes, dreams, etc.?
Same Different0
10
20
30
40
50
60
27. How do you feel about the introduction of Western customs (celebrating B-days,
decorating a X-mas tree) into the Arab way of life?
Very Good Good Doesn’t Matter
Bad Very Bad Skipped 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
28. Why?
• Bad:
Most Western traditions are against Islamic principles
Western traditons are part of Christianity
Blind imitation is wrong
14
19
29
28. Why?
• Good:
Every culture/religion has their celebrations
Some Western traditons are interesting
Some of these traditions increase our knowledge about the West
2
3
4
28. And 29 Compare yourself to your grandparents and parents. Would you say your life/identity is very
different from their life/identity?
Yes No Skipped0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80Your LifeYour Identity
28. If yes, how?
Differences:
Way of thinking
Clothing
Availability of different kinds of food
Availability of education
Availability of jobs
Availability of technology
11
14
17
25
30
37
INTERVIEW Qs & As
1. What does being Arab mean to you?
closed society
respect for elders
being proud
less opportunities for women
strict rules/attitudes
different way of thinking
different way of clothing
speaking Arabic
Islamic culture and being Muslim
7
10
15
18
21
23
25
30
50
2. In your opinion, what does ‘Arab identity’ comprise of?
dependence of family/relatives
being conservative
importance of having a good reputation
strong family relationships
having a great history
hospitality
Islamic traditions and customs
Arabic language
Islam
9
12
18
24
29
35
45
59
87
3. In your opinion, what does ‘Western identity’ comprise of?
straighforwardness in words
colonialism
weak/lack of family relationships
women enjoy more freedom
immoral acts/behaviors
independence/individuality
freedom to do whatever one wants
Christianity
6
12
14
16
19
20
24
32
4. What do you consider to be the biggest differences between the Arab and the
Western peoples and cultures?
level of education
generosity & hospitality
language
clothing
mentality
customs and traditions
religion
32
35
61
63
75
79
87
Arab culture and identity
1. Before you knew any English, how did you feel about being Arab?
– Proud of being an Arab and speaking Arabic language.
2. Did the meaning of being Arab change in any way for you while you were growing up?
– The older they get the more proud they become. Recent political tensions between the West and the Arab world made them more proud.
3. Do you think your ideas about the Arab culture and Arabness differ from those of your parents? What do you think causes the difference?– Yes, it differs a lot. – Parents know more about the past– Life is different: more opportunities for education,
more money, – The way Arabs raise children has changed
dramatically because of the financial power and opportunities money brought to the Gulf.
Western culture(s) and the English language
1. Before you were taught any English, did you have some idea about the English speaking, or the Western world? If so, what was it based on, i.e. where had you learned about it? – TV, movies, schools, travelling
Positive Negative
sociable, individualistic, hardworking, more straightforward, punctual, cultured and educated, care about environment,
some morals/behaviors, ideas about Arabs and Islam, no good relations with parents
2. Do you feel that learning English at school gave you a better idea about the Western world? – Yes. Easier to understand them with English.
3. Do you think your ideas about the Western culture(s) differ from those of your parents? Why do you think that is?
– Yes, different. New generation knows more about how Western people think. Therefore, they are more flexible with them.
4. Do you think that the pressure to learn English has somehow affected the Arab culture and/or the cultural identity of the Arabs? – Christmas trees, Christmas gifts, birthday
celebrations, Valentine’s Day, etc. are becoming part of everyday culture.
– These customs are portrayed as very attractive. – Most Arab children and teenagers find Western
ideas, customs and ways of life very cool and they imitate it more and more.
– Many Arab children can’t read/speak proper Arabic.
The relationship and the influences between the Arab and the Western cultures and identities
1. How would you describe the relationship between Qatar and the Western world?
– Stronger than any other culture or country in the region
– Distance needed– Commercial relations OK
2. Do you find globalization & internationalization to be positive or negative things for the
Qatari/Arab culture and people?
• Negative: many non-Islamic and non-Arab ideas, customs are candy-coated. One high-school teacher defined globalization as Amrekat al aa’lem: To make the whole world American.
• Positive: Al Jazeera Arabic all over the world. More people are exposed to Arabic and Islam.
Conclusions• Great pressure to learn English.• Although mostly positive, contradictory attitudes
towards English.• Anti-colonialism discourse not very prominent.• English is seen as an instrument towards better jobs and
more money. “Necessity may overpower attitude” (Edwards, 1985: 146).
• Positive views about freedom and independence = may implicate that young Qataris are already viewing their identity & culture partly through Western values.
Conclusions• Struggle with defining cultural identity through the
benefits of globalization, while trying to preserve Arabic and traditional Arab/Muslim values. – attracted to the ideas (freedom & independence) and
products (luxury items) of the West feel– alarmed about/criticize the gradual diminishing of Arabic &
Arab culture and loose family bonds or ‘perceived’ free sexual relations
• Reservations about the processes of globalization & internationalization.
Conclusions and Implications
• Generational gap is obvious.• While there is great pressure to learn new ways to
function in a global world, there is also pressure to represent/preserve the profound Arab/Muslim culture.
• Central cultural structures are being dismantled. Fragmentation of linguistic cultural identity = Identity-crisis
Limitations
• Respondents: conducted with only females. (The study will be done with males at the same place next semester and the results will be added to the present study.)
• Sampling: how representative are the respondents of the locals?
• Researcher’s presence: effect on the authenticity of the situation and the genuineness of the answers
• Language problems: numerous grammar and spelling errors• Terms used: offering a sufficient explanation of the term
cultural identity.• Analysis: Was difficult to tally semi-open Qs
• Thank you for your attendance.•Please feel free to ask questions.•Please e-mail me if you have any
questions: [email protected]
References• Abuhamdia, Z. (1988). “Speech Diversity and Language Unity: Arabic as an
Integrating Factor.” The Politics of Arab Integration. Eds. Giacomo Luciani and Ghassan Salame. New York, NY: Croom Helm. 33-53.
• Ahmed, M. (2010). We Arabs Are Killing Arabic. Emirates 7/24. Retrieved from: http://www.emirates247.com/columns/analysis/we-arabs-are-killing-arabic-2010-08-01-1.273429
• Al Buainain, Hassan & Madani, (2011). Use of English by Graduates of Qatar University in the Workplace: A Quantitative Analysis. Arab World English Journal. 2 (1): 140-185.
• Al Sharekh A. & Springborg, R. (eds) (2008), Popular Culture and Political Identity in the Arab Gulf States. London, Saqi.
• Charise, A. (2007). More English, Less Islam? An Overview of English Language Functions in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. Retrieved from:
• Edwards, J. (1985). Language, Society and Identity. Worcester: Billing & Sons Ltd.
References• Glasser, Susan B. “Qatar Reshapes its Schools, Putting English Over
Islam.” Washington Post Sunday February 2, 2003: A20.• Hundley, T. (2010) Is Arabic A Dying Language. Global Post.
Retrieved from http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/middle-east/100216/arabic-endangered-language
• Peel, Richard. (2004). “The Internet and Language Use: A Case Study in the United Arab Emirates. International Journal on Multicultural Societies 6 (1): 146-58.
• Seppälä, M. (2011). The Effects of the English Language on the Cultural Identity of Chinese University Students. Retrieved from: https://jyx.jyu.fi/dspace/bitstream/handle/123456789/26616/URN%3ANBN%3Afi%3Ajyu-201103011836.pdf?sequence=1