Examining the Influence of Diglossia on Arabic-Speaking Students' Progress in Modern Standard Arabic

The diglossia term makes reference to a linguistic phenomenon whereby in the same language, two varieties are found to coexist and are used simultaneously by the speakers of that language. This is exhibited in the use of Modern Standard Arabic in formal settings and the regional dialect in daily communication, with such duality set to influence Arabic language learners and presenting an urgent need to highlight the influences of this phenomenon. The aim of this study is to address an identified gap in the literature by examining the influence of diglossia on the progress of Arabic-speaking students in Modern Standard Arabic. Fifty-six teachers and parents participated in the study, whereby they completed a ten-item quantitative questionnaire and semi-structured qualitative interviews. The participants' responses were collected, analysed, and organised into themes that were aligned with the study focus. The primary study findings present novel perspectives by highlighting how the phenomenon of diglossia directly influences the progress of Arabic-speaking students in Modern Standard Arabic, a field that remains overlooked. Moreover, the study advocates for teachers to develop curricular activities that advance students' exposure to Modern Standard Arabic and encourage parents to expose their children to more opportunities for Modern Standard Arabic usage. These findings lead to an improved understanding of the influences of diglossia on Arabic-speaking students' progress in Modern Standard Arabic and provide strategies that might be used in mitigating its influences.