2020-21 Academic Catalog

This course is an introduction to the sociolinguistics of Semitic languages, particularly how language and society interact with respect to identity, ethnicity, politics and religion. Topics will include the wide breadth of Arabic language varieties and dialects with focus on Arabic diglossia (use of both Standard and colloquial Arabic dependent on social context) and code-switching (alternating between Arabic varieties and/or other languages in conversation). Language ideologies, including the Arabic language and its relation to Arab nationalism, as well as the revitalization of Modern Hebrew and its role in the Zionist movement will also be explored. Finally, the official status of both majority and minority Semitic languages will be investigated through the lens of language policy, politics and power.