Intergenerational Linguistic Variation in Bahrain : An Exploration of Youth Language Use

Abstract

Abstract : Today's society views English as a lingua franca and a prerequisite for future success. Therefore, bilingual upbringing has been rapidly growing in importance globally and across Bahrain. Despite the advantages, adverse social effects, such as perceived negative impacts on Arabic fluency, intergenerational relationships, and the specificity of the Arab identity can result from this phenomenon. This thesis aims to explore the intergenerational variation in language practices and ideologies in Bahrain. By specifically examining young Bahraini bilinguals enrolled in private schools within the family language policy framework, this study addresses questions related to the prevalent linguistic features that characterize their speech, the impact of youth bilingualism on family language practices, and the intergenerational variation in language ideologies that govern how languages are managed within the Bahraini family. Within a mixed-methods research design, interviews were conducted with twenty Bahraini parents to investigate their language beliefs and practices, and three focus group discussions were held with young bilinguals to analyze their linguistic choices. Findings reveal that while younger generations gravitate towards English for self-expression, older generations commodify English as a tool for success yet perceive it as a marker of unauthenticity. The results suggest that the spread of English is infiltrating into the everyday language practices of Bahraini families. Despite the global trend towards bilingual upbringing, Bahraini parents display lack of knowledge regarding language management strategies that support bilingual development. Ultimately, this thesis enriches our understanding of how unequally distributed bilingualism affects family relations and identity formation and the current English-Arabic debate in the Arab world. Implications and future recommendations are accordingly presented. Keywords: Bahraini youth, bilingualism, intergenerational variation, family language policy, language ideology