The Linguistic Friction in Algeria
The Linguistic Friction in Algeria

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the current study is to compare Modern Standard Arabic and Algerian Arabic with Educated Spoken Arabic at the phonological level and check if there are differences between the three varieties of Arabic at the above level. It aims to describe some aspects of the sociolinguistic situation in Algeria, and to give an overall idea about the linguistic complexity from which Educated Spoken Arabic emerges. Today’s educated generation manifests an overt tendency towards the use of a third and intermediate level of Arabic in their daily speeches. This verbal behaviour is a clear evidence of the linguistic change undergone by my informants in the realm of phonology and lexis. The linguistic usage of one level of Arabic at the expense of other levels can be accounted for by socio-cultural phenomena such as Arabization, i.e. act of identity. The friction between Classic/Modern Standard Arabic and dialectal Arabic is supposed to be lessened by a third level of Arabic, commonly known as Educated Spoken Arabic. This study mainly focus on the defining characteristics of Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, Algerian Arabic and the impact of the Arabization policy on the Algerian social strata. This research also attempts to demonstrate the heterogeneity of Educated Spoken Arabic particularly at the phonological and lexical levels. Some morphological features will also be discussed in order to show its appropriateness and intelligibility to a large segment of the Algerian society.

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