Jul 2026· Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series· Vol 48, pp. 155-171· 0 citations
Abstract
This study investigates the morphosyntactic alternation between the analytic possessive markers ḥaq and māl in Kuwaiti Arabic within a variationist sociolinguistic framework. Although descriptive studies acknowledge the coexistence of these forms, no prior research has provided a systematic quantitative account of their distribution or examined whether their alternation is conditioned by grammatical and social factors. Drawing on a corpus of sociolinguistic interviews with 80 native speakers, the study operationalises the ḥaq/māl alternation within a carefully delimited envelope of variation. A total of 1,120 tokens were extracted and coded for linguistic predictors, including animacy and definiteness of the possessee, syntactic position, clause type, polarity, and register, alongside social variables such as age, gender, education, place of residence, and sectarian affiliation. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis using Rbrul, with random effects for speaker and lexical item, revealed no statistically significant conditioning effects for any linguistic or social predictor. The distribution of ḥaq and māl remains consistent across grammatical contexts and speaker groups, suggesting that the alternation represents stable morphosyntactic variability rather than socially stratified variation or ongoing change. These findings point to functional convergence between two grammaticalised possessive markers within Kuwait’s contact-rich and levelling sociolinguistic ecology. Processes of grammaticalisation, semantic bleaching, and dialect contact appear to have neutralised earlier functional distinctions and reduced the socioindexical salience of the alternation. Empirically, the study provides the first quantitative analysis of analytic possessive variation in Kuwaiti Arabic. Theoretically, it refines variationist models of socio-syntax by accounting for domains of stable grammatical optionality and underscores the value of null results in delimiting the social embedding of morphosyntactic variation.
This systematic review examines the linguistic and sociolinguistic characteristics of Philippine English (PhE) based on studies published from 2019 to 2026. Guided by research questions focusing on the phonological, lexical-semantic, and grammatical-syntactic features of PhE, as well as its sociolinguistic attitudes and functional roles in education, communication, and media, the study reviewed fifteen scholarly articles from credible academic databases and repositories. Findings reveal that PhE has developed into a legitimate and systematic variety of English shaped by local linguistic and cultural influences. Phonological studies identified recurring consonant substitutions, vowel mergers, and lectal variations influenced by regional and proficiency differences. Lexical-semantic features demonstrated linguistic creativity through borrowing, blending, clipping, compounding, and semantic shifts, particularly in digital communication contexts. Grammatical-syntactic analyses also revealed flexible subject–verb agreement, simplified tense marking, and localized sentence structures that reflect communicative adaptation rather than linguistic deficiency. Sociolinguistically, PhE is increasingly recognized as a marker of Filipino identity and communicative accessibility; however, native-speaker norms continue to dominate formal academic settings. The findings affirm that PhE is an evolving, rule-governed, and culturally grounded variety whose acceptance continues to expand across different social domains in the Philippines.
Patrick Carlos D. Famanily, Famanily Rosemaie A. Capili, Joseree Ann L. Ferrer et al.· Journal of Education, Social...· 0 citations
Nicknaming is a pervasive linguistic practice that indexes intimacy, identity, and social boundaries, yet it remains relatively underexplored in African sociolinguistic scholarship. This study presents an empirical analysis of 200 nicknames collected from students at a tertiary institution and a senior high school in Cape Coast, Ghana. Drawing on focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, the paper examines the morpho-syntactic processes underlying nickname formation, including clipping, blending, compounding, reduplication, suffixation, and phonological manipulation. To account for meaning and social positioning, an adapted Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) framework is combined with Appraisal theory to analyse the evaluative, affective, and stance dimensions encoded in the nicknames.
The findings identify three dominant morphological categories, derivative, descriptive, and associative, each associated with distinct semantic and interactional functions. Nicknames are shown to enact identity work through affiliation, teasing, role ascription, boundary marking, and stigmatisation. From an Appraisal perspective, they function as condensed evaluative texts that mobilise Affect, Judgement, and Appreciation to position individuals within peer hierarchies and social networks. Distributional patterns further reveal gendered tendencies in the assignment and interpretation of nicknames, reflecting broader sociocultural ideologies and normative expectations. The study argues that nicknaming practices both reflect and actively construct social relations in Ghanaian educational contexts, contributing to African morpho-syntactic scholarship and sociolinguistic research on language, evaluation, and identity construction.
Jane Yorke Obuajo· International journal of res...· 0 citations
This study examines the dialectal variation of Masalit (Kanaa Masarak/Masaraa), a Maba language spoken across Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic, with particular attention to the Northeastern, Southeastern, and Western dialect areas. Taking the Al-Geneina variety as a reference point because of its historical and sociolinguistic prominence, the study aims to classify dialectal differences at the phonological, morphophonological, syntactic, and lexical levels. Methodologically, the article adopts a qualitative design based on two complementary sources: a review of the limited available scholarship on Masalit and oral data collected through semi-structured interviews with Masalit speakers from different regions. The findings indicate that the Northeastern dialect is more open to Arabic influence and contains a denser layer of loanwords, whereas the Southeastern dialect is associated with greater linguistic conservatism, resistance to borrowing, and higher social prestige. The analysis also identifies recurrent dialectal differences in consonant alternation, vowel quality, interrogative morphology, imperative marking, plural formation, and vocabulary choice. Overall, the article argues that Masalit dialect differentiation reflects not only internal linguistic variation but also historical migration, language contact, bilingualism, regional identity, and the sociocultural dynamics of multilingual communities.
Younis Adam Yahya· Dilbilim Dergisi / The Journ...· 0 citations
This article examines the intricate relationship between bilingualism and identity construction, with a particular focus on the Pakistani sociolinguistic context. Drawing on an extensive review of existing literature and an analytical case study of the Hindi film English Vinglish (2012), the article argues that bilingualism, far from being a purely linguistic phenomenon, is deeply embedded in the social, political, and psychological fabric of a speaker's identity. In Pakistan's tri-lingual structure, where speakers navigate between vernacular regional languages, Urdu as the national language, and English as the official language of power, identity construction becomes a site of contest, negotiation, and crisis. The article demonstrates how the hierarchical valuation of languages engenders issues of prestige, shame, and loyalty that determine not only linguistic choices but also social mobility and self-perception. The case study of English Vinglish, though a Hindi film, illustrates these dynamics in the South Asian context by tracing the protagonist's journey from identity crisis to self-actualization. The article concludes by advocating an acceptance-based framework for bilingual identity that acknowledges the compound, rather than conflicting, nature of bilingual selfhood.
Dr. Samia Tahir, Dr. Neelma Riaz, Dr. Irram Waheed· Journal of Language, Literat...· 0 citations
India represents one of the most linguistically diverse nations in the world, making it a rich site for sociolinguistic
inquiry. This paper explores multilingual India from a sociolinguistic perspective, examining the dynamic interaction
between language, society, and identity. With constitutionally recognized languages and hundreds of regional and tribal
varieties, India exemplifies complex patterns of bilingualism, multilingualism, code-switching, and diglossia. The coexistence
of languages such as Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali, and Gujarati reflects not only linguistic plurality but also historical,
political, and cultural negotiations.
The study analyses how language functions as a marker of regional identity, social stratification, education, and
mobility. It highlights the role of English as a link language and a symbol of global capital, alongside the emotional and
cultural significance of mother tongues. The paper also discusses language policy, constitutional provisions, and educational
frameworks that seek to balance national integration with linguistic diversity. Sociolinguistic phenomena such as language
shift, language maintenance, and linguistic hybridity in urban spaces are examined to understand contemporary
transformations.
By situating Indian multilingualism within broader linguistic theories, the paper underscores how India challenges
monolingual paradigms and enriches the field of linguistics with empirical complexity. Ultimately, multilingual India
demonstrates that linguistic diversity is not merely a communicative resource but a foundational element of social structure,
cultural continuity, and democratic expression.
Anilkumar K Varsat· International Journal of Inn...· 0 citations
This article examines the influence of English on Vietnamese in the context of globalisation, with particular attention to lexical borrowing, code-switching, digital discourse, and language attitudes. Grounded in contact linguistics, sociolinguistic theory, and language ideology studies, the paper uses a qualitative design that combines naturalistic observation of public and digital language practices with a systematic review of recent scholarship on English-Vietnamese contact. The analysis shows that English influence is most visible in the lexical domain, especially in technology, education, business, and popular culture. English-Vietnamese code-switching is also widespread in youth-oriented and digitally mediated communication, where it serves pragmatic functions such as emphasis, brevity, and topic framing, as well as social functions such as identity performance and in-group solidarity. Syntactic and phonological influences appear more limited and register-specific, although Englishinfluenced discourse markers, passive constructions, and loanword pronunciation patterns are increasingly noticeable among proficient bilingual users. The study further indicates that attitudes toward English influence remain ambivalent: younger speakers often treat bilingual hybridity as a sign of modernity and global identity, while purist concerns persist in public and institutional discourse. The paper concludes with implications for Vietnamese language policy and English education.
Vu Mai Phuong· International Journal of Edu...· 0 citations
