Shifts in Qassimi Arabic: A Linguistic Analysis of Lexical and Phonological Changes Between Two Generations

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of the Qassimi Arabic (QA) in Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on the lexical changes that have occurred between the past and present forms of the dialect. The findings reveal a significant generational divide, with older speakers (70-75 years old) retaining traditional vocabulary and phonetic structures, while younger speakers (8-10 years old) increasingly adopt modern terms and simplified pronunciations, often influenced by Standard Arabic and the "white dialect", which is primarily related to the Modern Arabic, where speakers tend to speak in a way that does not designate their origin. The study categorizes lexical items into three classes: those that are understood and used, those that are understood but unused lexical items, and those that are neither understood nor used. Thus, the study illustrates the complexities of intergenerational communication as well as the cultural implications of the evolution of the dialect. The humorous reactions of younger speakers toward traditional terms suggest they have a nuanced relationship with their linguistic heritage, which raises concerns about the preservation of the long-standing, unique features of the QA in the face of rapid changes in the digital era.