Language and Identity in Kuwait: Examining Arabic Diglossia amongst Generation X and Generation Z

Abstract

Thisudy examines the relationship between language and identity in Kuwait, focusing on the implications of diglossia amongst generations X and Z (those born between 1960-1980 and 1997-2012). The use of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Kuwaiti Arabic in different settings is a prevalent feature of Kuwait’s linguistic landscape. Some voices call for the standardization of Arabic dialects to obtain national independent identities, disassociating from Arabs and the Arabic language. This research explores whether this linguistic duality creates an identity dilemma for Kuwaitis within the aforementioned generations. An anonymous survey was conducted to gather data on attitudes, perceptions, stereotypes, and emotional responses. The findings suggest that diglossia in Kuwait is not creating an identity crisis or disconnect for either generation. Despite the generational differences, both groups exhibited more similarities than anticipated across the four studied themes. The study aims to contribute to understanding language and identity in a diglossic context.