Dissertation: A Case Study of Language Planning in Jordan

[Harold Schiffman]

A Case Study of Language Planning in Jordan


Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Program: Department of Linguistics
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 1985

Author: Fawwaz Mohammad Al-Rashed Al-Abed Al-Haq

Dissertation Title: A Case Study of Language Planning in Jordan



Dissertation Director:
S Verma S

Dissertation Abstract:

This dissertation is an exploratory study of language conflict, language
planning, and language-user attitudes toward Arabicization in the context
of language policy in Jordan. It pursues three objectives: (1) To report on
the language-planning activities carried out in Jordan. (2) To survey
language and language-policy attitudes among groups of essential language
users, by means of two questionnaires developed for this purpose. One was
distributed to faculty members at the University of Jordan-Amman and the
University of Yarmouk-Irbid, the other to students in the same schools. The
questionnaires probe nine factors: (a) language use patterns; (b) language
attitudes; (c) proficiency in Arabic and English; (d) attitudes and
knowledge about variation in Arabic; (e) instrumentality of language; (f)
students' achievement; (g) general standard of education if Arabicization
were implemented in Jordan; (h) practical commitment to Arabicization; and
(i) attitudes towards Arabicization. Correlations between some of these
factors are also investigated, in order to examine possible ambivalence in
attitudes towards the major speech varieties in use in Jordan (English,
Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, Jordanian Arabic). This study
seeks to show the effects of ambivalence, if any, on language policy,
especially with regard to Arabicization. (3) The final objective is to
relate the results of this study to the overall field of language planning.
In summary, the study has demonstrated the desire and commitment of faculty
members and students alike to proceed with Arabicization--despite their
awareness of the problems connected with variation in Arabic, the lack of
technical terms in scientific fields, and the lack of reference materials;
it was also felt that study of English should be retained, but not in such
a way that it detracts from the use of Arabic as a scientific language.
Finally, the review of literature of Language Planning in Jordan reveals
that there is a lack of formal association between the Arabic Language
Academy of Jordan and the Jordanian universities' authorities, such that
there is no real incentive for universities to adopt the fruits of the
Academy's labors.

http://linguistlist.org/issues/19/19-1300.html

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