Saudi English: A Descriptive Analysis of English Language Variations in Saudi Arabia

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• World Englishes

Background:

• Saudi English is an Expanding Circle variety of English.
• Educated Saudis with at least nine years of English study exhibit unique linguistic features.
• Language contact significantly influences the development of Saudi English.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze morphosyntactic and lexical features of Saudi English.
• To investigate the impact of exposure to Standard English (Std Eng) on these features.
• To compare Saudi English with other World Englishes and Arabic structures.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of morphosyntactic and lexical features.
• Comparison of features based on speakers' contact with Standard English.
• Comparative analysis with other World Englishes and Arabic linguistic structures.

Main Results:

• Distinction between stable morphosyntactic features and those exclusive to English as a Foreign Language (EFL) speakers.
• Identification of 15 morphosyntactic features in speakers with direct Std Eng contact, and 15 additional features in EFL speakers.
• Description of local lexical items, including Arabic borrowings and translations.

Conclusions:

• Saudi English exhibits unique features influenced by language contact.
• The level of exposure to Standard English differentiates feature usage among Saudi speakers.
• This study contributes to understanding linguistic variation in the Expanding Circle and the effects of language contact.