Examining the Linguistic and Sociocultural Impact of French Lexical Borrowing in Algerian Arabic

Abstract

This study examines the linguistic and sociocultural impacts of French lexical borrowing on Algerian Arabic (AA), focusing on morphological and phonological adaptations. Algeria's complex linguistic landscape, shaped by French colonization (1830–1962) and subsequent Arabization, includes Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, Colloquial Arabic, Berber, and French. The research explores how French loanwords are assimilated into AA, investigating changes in pronunciation, syllabic structure, word formation, and inflection. Influenced by sociolinguistic factors like gender and education, these adaptations reflect broader socio-cultural dynamics. Using a descriptive methodology, data was collected from the Tiaret speech community through a questionnaire and a word list administered to 50 participants selected randomly. The results show a range of morphological and phonological adaptations in AA, including modifications, germination, and inflectional shifts in verbs, adjectives, and nouns. The study aims to fill knowledge gaps on AA and lexical borrowing, highlighting the sociolinguistic realities of Tiaret’s society. This research enhances understanding of language dynamics and hybridity, with important implications for post-colonial language policy in Algeria