The Arabic of Iraq

Abstract EN

Arabic as a language with an elevated status, has speakers all around the world.

Arabic is diglossic in nature with numerous varieties and sub varieties.

Yet a border line can be drawn between two main varieties: one is standard the other is colloquial the same is also true of all Arabic speaking communities.

All are multidialectal and within each dialect there exists many sub dialects.

This linguistic situation is very apparent in the case of Iraq.

For all varieties spoken in Iraq Baghdadi dialect will be quite representative.

Being a city of diverse ethnic, social and even religious groups, means a city with many dialects.

The outcome of all is the most prestigious, understood and educated variety as it is seen by all Iraqis.