Sociolinguistics in Saudi Arabia: Present situation and future directions

Abstract

This study provides a brief state-of-the-art overview of sociolinguistic research in Saudi Arabia. It begins with a historical review of the language situation in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to relate the past situation with current language use, focusing on studies that examine Arabic dialects of major tribes and urban centers in the Arabian Peninsula before and after the creation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It continues with a schematic survey of major trends in Saudi sociolinguistic works over the past few decades, including language variation and change, language contact, language attitudes, and code-switching. As such trends unfolded, researchers investigated the processes of dialect contact, mixing, and, ultimately, koineization and followed, in particular, the socioeconomic changes that Saudi Arabia has witnessed in terms of the spread of education, population movements, and urbanization patterns. Special attention is given to the various sociolinguistic methods employed in such works, as well as the linguistic features that are examined. This study concluded with future directions for Saudi sociolinguistic research in an effort to highlight topics and concerns that need further research, such as certain sociolects and ethnolects, and also new topics and trends associated with language use in social media, particularly by the younger generation.