International Journal of Linguistics & Communication

Language Use and Language Attitudes among the Muslim Arabs of Vancouver/ Canada: A Sociolinguistic Study
Prof. Bader S. Dweik, Mohammed Y. Nofal, Rahmeh S. Qawasmeh

Abstract
This study aims to investigate language use and language attitudes among the Muslim Arabs who live in Vancouver/Canada. A sample of (70) Muslim Arabs has been selected on grounds of convenience. The selected participants represent different age groups, gender and educational background. Four assistants who live in Vancouver have helped the researchers to distribute the questionnaire. Those assistants who have inside knowledge of the community have been chosen in line with Milroy and Milroy (1978), Al-Khatib (2001) who advocate approaching the subjects through a third party. The main instrument used in this study is a sociolinguistic questionnaire that comprises three different sections: demographic background, language use of Arabic and English in different domains and language attitudes. Results show that Arabic and English are used side by side in different domains. They also point out that the Muslim Arabs of Vancouver are proud of their Arabic identity and their Arabic language and culture and that Arabic is still being maintained among the second generation of Muslim Arabs in Vancouver. It also indicates that English symbolizes their Canadian identity and is considered a good instrument for achieving their educational and financial aspirations.

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