Linguistic Diversity in Irbid, Jordan: Analyzing Phonological, Morphological, and Lexical Differences between Rural and Urban Dialects

Abstract

This study endeavors to investigate the dialectal differences between two regional groups within the Irbid governorate of Jordan: the rural community and the urban (Madani) population. It further examines the linguistic variations in phonology, lexicology, and morphology, exploring how these differences contribute to the regional identities of each community and elucidating the distinctive dialectal features inherent to both groups. Employing a comparative analysis methodology, this research analyzes and contrasts the linguistic characteristics of the two dialects. The findings indicate significant phonological disparities in accent patterns between the rural and urban dialects, which contribute to the unique phonetic profiles associated with each region. Additionally, lexical distinctions are observed, as vocabulary choices and regional expressions vary between the rural and urban communities. Certain terms and phrases are found to be specific to one dialect, not commonly utilized in the other, thereby further delineating the linguistic attributes of each region. The study also uncovers morphological variations between the two dialects, particularly concerning the patterns and rules governing pronouns, demonstratives, adverbs, interrogatives, and prepositions. These variations are attributed to the distinct linguistic frameworks exhibited by each dialect, highlighting the complex interplay between language and regional identity in the context of Jordanian society.