Speech variation in the dialect of Basrah

Abstract EN

This research investigates the characteristic phonological and morphological features of Basra dialect in comparison to other gilit dialects.

The investigation is based on collecting qualitative data in addition to personal observations.

Data on the dialect and its varieties were investigated through a questionnaire and interviews with informants.

Results showed that the urban dialect of Basra 'Basri' is considered a prestigious variety to which most speakers living in Basra aim for; and that there are even those who aim at a more 'prestigious' variety than Basri, which is urban Baghdadi.

Nevertheless, there are unavoidable practices which tend to trace these speakers back to their origin.

Despite that many speakers try avoiding the rural features, there are still many features and words which are being used and very common among Basra city-centre due to the huge numbers immigrating to it.

While elderly people tend to be the most preservers of dialect tradition and features of their original dialects, many speech features have been replaced and are starting to be extinct.