Arab peoples with different dialects understand each other shows Arab The Voice
Through analysis of the Arab The Voice, which is shown throughout the Arab world, Mona Farrag Attwa examined how Arabs from diverse communities, with their own dialect, history, politics and culture, communicate with each other. The dialects are very different, but written Arabic is the same everywhere. Mona Farrag Attwa will receive her doctorate on December 12.
Arab peoples are divided into five language groups. Standard Arabic is a unifying factor, but it is incorrect to conclude that peoples develop a unitary culture as a result, she argues. Each dialect reflects the values, meanings and identities of its own country, so there is great diversity in communication.
At the same time, Arabs also have a pan-Arab identity, stemming from a common history, culture and ideology. And they are also dealing with a global identity. Globalization causes not only major political, social and economic shifts in the region, but also major changes in communication through new contacts that transcend traditional boundaries. The study found that the meaning of an Arab is widened to embrace all these diversities.
Only a few participants misunderstood each other
Because many Arabs are proficient in different languages and dialects as well as standard Arabic they are flexible in communication. Media producers can augment or diminish those differences in ideology and identity by pointing to pan-Arab identity. The Voice plays with that, sometimes adding humor by using standard Arabic or dialects. Standard Arabic was used by the jury members to reflect objectivity and professionalism which basically anyone could understand and which exudes formality and objectivity.
Farrag Attwa examined the use of language between dialects in the show in the dimensions of identity, pragmatism and at the linguistic level. In order to build up a pan-Arab show, media producers avoided to show lack of understanding among Arabs from different countries. She concluded that there were very few instances in the show of participants not understanding each other.
More information
Mona Farrag Attwa will receive her doctorate on Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. in the university's auditorium with live stream. The title of her dissertation is: Arabic and Globalization: Understanding the Arab Voice. PhD Defense M. Farrag MA | Tilburg University. For questions, please contact science editor Tineke Bennema, tel. 013-4668998 or via e-mail: persvoorlichters@tilburguniversity.edu.