Use of Arabic by the ‘others’ in Saudi Arabia: A Sociolinguistic Study of Communication needs Leading to Interlanguage Development

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the perceptions of non-Arab workforce on the use of Arabic language with Arab people. It also examines the communication strategies that they employ when interacting in Saudi Arabia. Arabic is the only official language in Saudi Arabia and so it is natural for many communication difficulties or barriers to arise when there are interactions with the ‘others’. The problem is compounded when the Arabic speaker(s) in such interactions use a dialect of Arabic spoken in another part of the country or in another Arab country. Using a mixed methods approach, this study triangulates data gathered from surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups to analyze on this the perceptions of non-Arab residents in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Results indicated that non-Arab workers are not satisfied with their use of Arabic, have moderate perceptions about learning Arabic, the difficulties they face, and the domain of language use. However, they have high perception about the extent to which they have acquired Arabic. Findings also showed that a kind of Gulf Pidgin Arabic helps simplify the communication process between non-Arab and Arab residents. The study offers a more thorough understanding of the problem at hand and provide insights into potential solutions for removing linguistic barriers in the nation.