Abstract

Does the existence of different Arab communities formulate a challenge in understanding its Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) variations? The question remains open to analogy. This research attempts to answer this issue through the study of lexicon variation in Egypt, Lebanon & Morocco. Even though the lexical variation exists historically, researchers are still in contradiction whether the MSA is the one bridge of communication among the Arabs or does each and every community has its own lexicons? A concurrent design of mixed research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, is carried to investigate the extent of this lexical variation. So, upon running a questionnaire and an interview to Egyptian, Lebanese and Moroccan citizens, the lexical items were found to remain well understood as the basic means of communication. This research exhibits that lexical variation is a phenomenon in MSA used in Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco.

Department

Applied Linguistics Department

Degree Name

MA in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

Graduation Date

2-1-2017

Submission Date

July 2017

First Advisor

Taha, Zeinab

Committee Member 1

Kamel Hassan, Mona

Committee Member 2

Yassin Abu El Seoud, Dalal

Extent

120 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy. The author has granted the American University in Cairo or its agents a non-exclusive license to archive this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study, and to make it accessible, in whole or in part, in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Comments

This thesis is dedicated to my father, Eng. Saleh Atteya. I owe him a great debt of gratitude. He has done a lot for me.This thesis would never have been possible without the keen assistance, support and supervision of my very dear Dr. Zeinab Taha. Her act of heart in assisting and supporting me is beyond any description words may provide. I would also like to thank Dr. Mona Kamel for her kind and continuous assistance and supervision. Dr. Dalal A. El Seoud detailed advice and revision was critical to the completion of this research, Thank you. I am also very grateful to my colleagues for their support: Sarah A. Goukh, Sameh El Moghazy, Heba El Ramly and Hassanein Younis.

Download

Share

COinS