Studies about language and emotion have shown that multilingual speakers feel more comfortable with their L1, the ‘language of the heart’ (Dewaele, 2013), for expressing strong emotions such as anger (Pavlenko, 2002; Dewaele, 2006) and love (Dewaele, 2008). However, this does not necessarily mean a preference for the L1 (Dewaele, 2011). Indeed, multilingual speakers may use a LX instead of their L1 depending on many factors and for different reasons. This study, which is part of a wider research project, focuses on the wide and strong use of English by Egyptian rappers and their fans (mostly young Egyptians) in songs and on social network’s pages, sometimes even at the expense of their mother-tongue, the Arabic language. The key aims of this paper are, firstly to demonstrate that English is used as a tool for expressing feelings (mostly anger, revenge and sense of belonging to a ‘familia’) although being a foreign language in Egypt, and, secondly, to investigate the sociolinguistic reasons and factors why this specific group of Egyptians prefer using English instead of their mother tongue. This analysis will be held through the examination of videos, song lyrics, users’ comments on social networks’ pages and a questionnaire to a small sample of young Egyptian fans of Egyptian rappers.

Arabic and English Swinging between Heart and Mind

lucia la causa
2020-01-01

Abstract

Studies about language and emotion have shown that multilingual speakers feel more comfortable with their L1, the ‘language of the heart’ (Dewaele, 2013), for expressing strong emotions such as anger (Pavlenko, 2002; Dewaele, 2006) and love (Dewaele, 2008). However, this does not necessarily mean a preference for the L1 (Dewaele, 2011). Indeed, multilingual speakers may use a LX instead of their L1 depending on many factors and for different reasons. This study, which is part of a wider research project, focuses on the wide and strong use of English by Egyptian rappers and their fans (mostly young Egyptians) in songs and on social network’s pages, sometimes even at the expense of their mother-tongue, the Arabic language. The key aims of this paper are, firstly to demonstrate that English is used as a tool for expressing feelings (mostly anger, revenge and sense of belonging to a ‘familia’) although being a foreign language in Egypt, and, secondly, to investigate the sociolinguistic reasons and factors why this specific group of Egyptians prefer using English instead of their mother tongue. This analysis will be held through the examination of videos, song lyrics, users’ comments on social networks’ pages and a questionnaire to a small sample of young Egyptian fans of Egyptian rappers.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/655650
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