Identity And Code-Choice In The Speech Of Educated Women And Men In Egypt: Evidence From Talk Shows

Abstract

This chapter examines the use of modern standard Arabic (MSA) and Egyptian colloquial Arabic (ECA) in talk shows. The author sheds light on code-choice and code-switching by women in relation to identity. The only difference between the MSA and the ECA realisations of the same verb is in the vowel pattern and syllable structure. MSA in Egypt, people tend to drop case and mood endings except in the most elevated (especially religious) discourse. Four women from different parts of the Arab world discuss current issues in the Arab world and the world in general. Identity is defined by Lakoff (2006: 142) as 'a continual work in progress, constructed and altered by the totality of life experience. The linguistic resources available to women in the programs analysed include code choice and code switching. Keywords: Arab world; code-choice; code-switching; Egypt; Egyptian colloquial Arabic (ECA); modern standard Arabic (MSA); talk shows

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