The linguistic and cultural situation among the Sabian Mandaeans in Baghdad : a sociolinguistic study

Other Title(s)

الوضع اللغوي و الثقافي للصابئة المندائيين في بغداد

Dissertant

al-Ubaydi, Malim Abd al-Karim

Thesis advisor

al-Zayid, Nurma

Comitee Members

Abu Libdah, Asad
al-Hanaqtah, Muhammad

University

Middle East University

Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of English

University Country

Jordan

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2017

English Abstract

This study aims to investigate the linguistic and cultural situation among the Sabian Mandaean of Baghdad.

The study attempts to examine the domains of the use of Mandaic and Arabic and to explore the cultural features that they have maintained in the Baghdad community.

It also seek to explore the factors that led them to lose their ethnic language.

To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher gathered information by using three instruments; community profile, interview, and a sociolinguistic questionnaire.

The sample of the study consisted of 70 participants and five interviewees from the Mandaean community.

Results indicate that the Sabian Mandaeans of Baghdad are witnessing a shift towards the majority language "Arabic".

They use Arabic almost in all domains.

Mandiac language is used by Mandaean clergymen during the religious rituals.

Results also show that the Sabian Mandaeans are aware of the Mandaean culture.

The cultural elements which they preserved are religious rituals; costumes; food and Mandaean celebrations.

The study concluded that lack of interest in the Mandaean language and lack of using their language at home and among family members along with other domains such as school, work, and media were the major factors that helped in losing their ethnic language.

Main Subjects

Languages & Comparative Literature

Topics

• Boys
• Cultural conditions
• Iraq
• Languages

No. of Pages

71

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-762754