Diglossia And Bilingualism In Arabic Countries: Concept, Causes And Effects (comparative Study)

Abstract

 This study examines the concepts and terminology of bilingualism and diglossia. It sheds light on their causes and effects on both Arabic language and its speakers, whether as groups or individuals, using a comparative approach. This discussion is important to deconstruct the confusing overlap between the two phenomena and their causes and effects. Contrasting bilingualism against diglossia should delineate the precise borderlines between these two linguistic phenomena. Accordingly, the study raises the following questions: what are the conceptual definitions of bilingualism and diglossia? What are the common drivers for their occurrences? And what are their effects on native speakers of Arabic? Evident from our comparative study, each of the two phenomena has its own inherent and distinctive boundaries. Differences also emerge when causes and effects of bilingualism and diglossia were contrasted. Findings from this study delineate the boundaries between the two concepts in an accurate manner, regardless of their mutually and confusing terms.