Language and cultural shift among the Kurds of Jordan : a sociolinguistic study
Other Title(s)
التحول اللغوي و الثقافي لدى أكراد الأردن : دراسة لغوية اجتماعية
Dissertant
Thesis advisor
Comitee Members
al-Abbas, Sulayman Awwad
al-Zayid, Nurma Nawwaf
University
Middle East University
Faculty
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of English
University Country
Jordan
Degree
Master
Degree Date
2015
English Abstract
This study aimed at exploring the Kurd's proficiency in Kurdish and Arabic languages.
It also aimed at identifying the Kurdish cultural aspects that the Kurds have maintained or lost.
It also explored the Kurds’ attitudes towards Kurdish and Arabic, and investigated the factors that led to losing the Kurdish language in Jordan.
The researcher used pilot interviews to obtain social, historical, linguistic and other data about the Kurds.
A fivepart sociolinguistic questionnaire was also used to achieve the aforementioned goals.
She selected a sample that consisted of 60 members from the Kurdish community in Amman who represent three different generations.
Results concluded that the Kurds of Jordan have shifted from Kurdish to Arabic.
Additionally, they are mostly proficient in Arabic language whereas the Kurdish language seems to be neglected since the participants revealed their weak proficiency in the Kurdish language.
Furthermore, results indicated that although the Kurds of Jordan have preserved some of their cultural aspects such as costumes and festivals, they shifted to the Arabic culture in general.
They also showed that the Kurds expressed positive attitudes towards Arabic language considering it the most useful language to get a job and receive education.
It is also the language that unites them with fellow Jordanians and the best to express their ideas and feelings.
Finally, results revealed that many socio-cultural factors have led to the loss of the Kurdish language, such as; (1) family and home which played an important role in losing the language, (2) lack of Kurdish private schools that offer classes in the Kurdish language, (3) external marriages with Jordanians that helped them to assimilate in the Jordanian society, (4) being a Jordanian of a Kurdish origin demands to learn Arabic as an official language, (5) their occupations don’t need Kurdish language, (6) grandparents don’t speak the Kurdish language, (7) lack of concern in the Kurdish language and (8) weak ties among the Kurdish community in Jordan.
Main Subjects
Languages & Comparative Literature
No. of Pages
88
Table of Contents
Table of contents.
Abstract.
Abstract in Arabic.
Chapter One : Introduction.
Chapter Two : Review of literature.
Chapter Three : Methods and procedures.
Chapter Four : Results of the study.
Chapter Five : Discussion, conclusions and recommendations.
References.
American Psychological Association (APA)
al-Kurdi, Lina Adnan. (2015). Language and cultural shift among the Kurds of Jordan : a sociolinguistic study. (Master's theses Theses and Dissertations Master). Middle East University, Jordan
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-692047
Modern Language Association (MLA)
al-Kurdi, Lina Adnan. Language and cultural shift among the Kurds of Jordan : a sociolinguistic study. (Master's theses Theses and Dissertations Master). Middle East University. (2015).
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-692047
American Medical Association (AMA)
al-Kurdi, Lina Adnan. (2015). Language and cultural shift among the Kurds of Jordan : a sociolinguistic study. (Master's theses Theses and Dissertations Master). Middle East University, Jordan
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-692047
Language
English
Data Type
Arab Theses
Record ID
BIM-692047
