On The Social Use Of ‘Urban Ammani Arabic’ By Adult Female Speakers In The Amman Metropolitan Area
Abstract
This article examines the significant phenomenon of the use of what we term "Urban Ammani Arabic" (UAA) by most adult female speakers in the Amman metropolitan area, particularly when this dialect differs from the one they acquire or use in their domestic environments. To explore this, 132 adult female speakers were selected to participate in both sociolinguistic and semi-structured interviews. These interviews aimed to uncover the metapragmatic indexical values associated with UAA, focusing on the motivations behind its use by adult female speakers. The findings revealed five major factors driving the use of UAA: displaying softness and attractiveness (gender identity), achieving certain social goals (such as improving marriage prospects and enhancing job opportunities), fostering social bonds among female speakers, showcasing educational prestige, and projecting the appearance of belonging to a higher socioeconomic class. Additionally, the results highlighted that the preference for certain factors varies with age, as older females (>45) tend to have different motivations compared to younger ones (<35). This finding is crucial, as age not only influences females' linguistic choices but also shapes their attitudes toward these choices.
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