ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book draws on the existing theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and extensive discussions on the Arabic language, particularly the literature on Arabic sociolinguistics. It uses the new empirical data which comes from four field trips that the author recently made to Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. The book revisits and expands the discussion on Arabic diglossia in conjunction with four interrelated areas, namely, language attitudes, social identity, variation and code switching. It provides a new perspective on the interplay of these sociolinguistic aspects in the language behaviour of Arabic speakers as well as their role in defining a number of related sociolinguistic issues. The book offers an up-to-date account of these areas in the light of empirical data from recent research, including research projects carried out by the author during recent trips to the Arab region.
