Abstract

This study explores the relationship between language, trauma, and emotional expression among bilingual Arabic-English speakers, focusing on code-switching patterns and euphemisms, and more broadly the emotional roles of native and non-native languages in trauma narratives. Through qualitative interviews with 20 Egyptian participants, the research reveals that code-switching serves as both a linguistic and emotional tool, allowing speakers to navigate trauma by creating distance or engaging more intimately. Such codeswitching patterns include the integration of English content words within Arabic structures, morphosyntactic innovations, and gender agreement applications, reflecting the creative adaptability of bilingual speakers in emotionally charged contexts, in line with Myers-Scotton’s (1993) Matrix Language Framework. Additionally, culturally embedded euphemisms highlight sensitivity in discussing difficult topics like death and loss, offering insight into how language reflects cultural values and emotional mediation. Arabic is perceived as a language of immediacy and intimacy, enabling profound personal expression, while English provides a neutral, protective buffer that facilitates cognitive distancing and emotional regulation. These findings potentially contribute to sociolinguistics and trauma studies, shedding light on how linguistic strategies intertwine with cultural and emotional contexts to help individuals process and articulate their trauma. Practical implications extend to teaching Arabic as a foreign language, emphasizing the importance of cultural and emotional perceptiveness to prepare learners for sensitive conversations. This research also offers insights for future therapeutic and humanitarian research, where understanding the emotional weight of language can improve communication with trauma survivors. Ultimately, the study underscores the transformative power of language in articulating, surviving, and healing from trauma, showcasing its critical role in navigating human resilience and recovery.

School

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

Applied Linguistics Department

Degree Name

MA in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

Graduation Date

Winter 2-19-2025

Submission Date

1-26-2025

First Advisor

Zeinab Taha

Committee Member 1

Nihal Nagi Sarhan

Committee Member 2

Shahira Yacout

Extent

145 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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