Title:
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Phonological and morphological variation in the speech of Fallahis in Karak (Jordan)
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This study is conducted in the Karak area (Jordan) to investigate linguistic
variation in the speech of the Fallahis who migrated to the area in 1948. Three
variables are considered to investigate this variation. These are the (Q), (Vki) and
(K). The study shows that young Fallahis have abandoned the variants of their native
dialect in favour of the local variants, or sometimes the urban variant. Young Fallahis
have abandoned the [k] variant of the variable (Q) in favour of the local variant [g] or
[?] and the [ik] variant of the variable (Vki) in favour of the local variant [ki]. They
also appear to have abandoned the variant [C] of the variable (K) in favour of the [k]
variant.
The study also shows that while none of the young males abandon the non-local
variant [k] in favour of the urban variant [?], a considerable proportion (50%) of
young females appear to have abandoned the non-local [k] variant in favour of the
urban variant [?]. The young, thus, appear to prefer the local variants of the
investigated variables whether this variable is stereotype like (Q) or a marker like
(Vki).
A considerable proportion of the middle age-group also show a tendency to
accommodate to the local variant [g] as well as the local variant [ki). The old appear to preserve the variant [k] and the variant [ik] of their native dialect. The variant [C]
of the variable (K) is categorically abandoned by the young and used in a very low
ratio by the middle-age group (6%), but rather more frequently by the old age group
(430/0). In this regard, we can report a sound change which is near completion in the
Karak area in the speech of the Fallahis.
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