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The Saudi Arabian English

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Norjehan Macapanton Taha
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123 views3 pages

The Saudi Arabian English

The

Uploaded by

Norjehan Macapanton Taha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NORJEHAN TAHA & HANIERA SARIGIDAN ENG102- Gg

The Saudi Arabian English


Saudi Arabia
Is a country located in Western Asia, encompassing the majority of the Arabian
Peninsula. It is the fifth largest country in Aisa and the largest in the Middle East. It is a
predominantly Muslim country, with Islam being the state religion. The country is home to
Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, which attract millions of pilgrims annually for the
Hajj pilgrimage.
The history of Saudi Arabian English is closely tied to the Kingdom's political, social,
and economic development. While English has been present in Saudi Arabia for centuries, its
significance and evolution accelerated in the 20th century.

History/Origin
The origin of Saudi Arabian English, or Saudi English, is a relatively recent development,
rooted in the Kingdom's 20th-century economic and social transformation. While English has
been present in Saudi Arabia for centuries due to ancient trade routes and the spread of Islam, its
widespread use and evolution into a distinct variety are primarily linked to the discovery of oil
and the subsequent modernization of the country.
Early Influences:
Ancient Trade: Long before the discovery of oil, trade routes connecting Arabia with Africa,
Europe, and Asia exposed inhabitants to various languages, including early forms of English. [2]
Islamic Expansion: The rise of Islam in the 7th century brought Arabic to the forefront, but
some areas, like Mecca, retained Jewish and Christian communities, maintaining contact with
foreign languages and cultures.

The Oil Boom and English's Rise:


Economic Demand: The discovery of oil in the 1930s brought a surge of foreign oil
companies, creating a need for English as a language of business and communication.
Education System: English was introduced into Saudi schools in the 1920s, facing initial
resistance due to concerns about Western influence. However, its growing global importance led
to its gradual integration into the education system, becoming a fundamental component by the
21st century.
Saudi English as a Distinct Variety:
Formal and Informal Uses: Saudi English exists in both formal and informal settings,
reflecting the diverse levels of education and exposure to standard English.
Linguistic Influences: Saudi English exhibits features influenced by both Arabic and standard
English, particularly in pronunciation, spelling, and grammar.

VARIETIES

 Vocabulary
SPELLINGS
American English Saudi Arabian English
1. “or” vs. “our” Uses “or” Uses “our”
Ex: color, favor, honor Ex: colour, favour, honour
2. “ize” vs. “ise” Uses “ize” Uses “ise”
Ex: realize, organize, Ex: reaalise, organize,
apologize apologise
3. “re” vs. “er” Uses “er” Uses “re”
Ex: center, theater Ex: centre, theatre
4. “practice” (noun) vs. Uses “practice” for both the Uses “practice” for the noun
“practice” (verb) noun and verb. and “practice” for the verb.

 Pronunciation
Saudi English pronunciation is characterized by a unique blend of Arabic and English sounds,
often resulting in a distinct accent. Some notable features include:
 Dental Fricatives: Saudi speakers often pronounce the dental fricatives θ (as in "think")
and ð (as in "this") as t and z respectively. This results in words like "think" being
pronounced as "tink" and "this" as "zis."
 Alveolar Trill: The alveolar trill, a characteristic sound in Arabic, is often used in
English words by Saudi speakers. This results in a rolling "r" sound, as in "car" or
"bird."
 Vowel Sounds: Saudi English speakers may pronounce certain vowel sounds differently
than standard English speakers. For example, the vowel sound in "should" (ʃʊld) might
be pronounced as "ʃʊld" with a shorter, more clipped sound.
References:
 www.frontier.org
 https://core.ac.uk
 https://www.ncb1.nlm.nih.gov

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