Exploring Consonantal Phonological Processes in Algerian Arabic Dialect as Spoken in Tiaret: An Optimality Theoretic- Analysis

Abstract

The study explores the phonological phenomena peculiar to the Algerian Arabic dialect as spoken in Tiaret, within the framework of Optimality Theory. It aims to identify the phono-logical processes occurring particularly in the regions of Ain Kermes and Ain Bouchekkif, and to examine the influence of age and gender, along with the underlying factors contrib-uting to the phonological variation. To this end, a mixed-method approach is adopted. A semi-structured questionnaire is used to collect quantitative data, while an elicitation task is em-ployed mainly wordlist where students articulate sounds in words. Eighty (80) participants are purposively selected and equally divided between the two regions. The findings reveal sever-al phonological processes classified as substitution, metathesis, deletion, insertion, lengthen-ing, and assimilation. The present research also highlights a notable gender difference and a generational gap, identifying geographical and social factors as key influences on pronuncia-tion adjustment. It concludes with several recommendations and implications for future re-search.