Publications and Research
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
This study examines the morphosyntactic behavior of Arabic lexical items in English-dominant speech among Arab American bilinguals. Based on original survey data from 22 participants between the ages of 16 and 32, the paper focuses on specific Arabic words, such as yani, khalas, and ana, in English conversations across informal and professional settings. The analysis shows that these lexical items function as free morphemes and are inserted without disrupting English syntax, often serving discourse, emotional, or identity-marking purposes. Grounded in sociolinguistic theory and Poplack’s model of intra-sentential code-switching, this paper argues that code-switching among Arab Americans is intentional and structurally consistent. The findings indicate that language choices reflect bilingual fluency, cultural positioning, and adaptability within shifting social contexts. Ultimately, the paper contributes to a broader understanding of how language, identity, and social belonging intersect in bilingual communities while showing how Arabic keeps cultural resonance within hybrid linguistic environments.
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Anthropological Linguistics and Sociolinguistics Commons, Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons
