Colihan, Elyse

"Arabic Diglossia in Modern American Education"

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Major: Cyber Security and Minor in Arabic Language

Freshman; College of Computing and Digital Media

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Abstract

This paper explores the different methods of teaching Arabic language in modern American classrooms, the dialects typically taught (if any), and the ideal mode of teaching in relation to dialect versus Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Arabic teachers across the country have historically been hesitant to introduce non-MSA dialect into the classroom, despite acknowledging its importance, and rarely integrate the two. However, with synthesized findings from top Arabic language researchers, this paper draws the conclusion that integrating dialect and MSA in the classroom can mimic the natural learning process of a native speaker, and is generally the best way to ensure fluent literacy and speech.

Professor: Michael Raleigh

Department of Rhetoric, Writing, and Discourse