Abstract
Although a number of researchers have focused on describing the unique linguistic features of various Omani dialects, relatively little attention has been paid to their cross-generational familiarity and use. The current study investigated this issue by exploring the abilities of 95 young (20 years or younger) Al-Hamra residents to provide the meanings and correct usage of 20 words identified as being characteristic of the traditional Al-Hamra dialect. Sixty-one elderly residents (60 years or older) were also asked to perform the same task for vocabulary representing the speech of younger residents. Results indicate a limited understanding of, and ability to use, words from the traditional Al-Hamra dialect among younger residents, with elderly respondents also struggling to understand vocabulary selected from the younger group’s speech. Findings suggest that, in addition to limited cross-generational understanding of the speech typifying younger and older groups in the region, younger people may be losing familiarity with the traditional Al-Hamra dialect. The paper discusses factors that may impact on the situation, and offers ways, such as encouraging wider use of the traditional Al-Hamra dialect in the community and creating lexical resources of dialectical words and phrases, of helping preserve this part of Oman’s unique cultural and linguistic landscape.
Keywords
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.53542/jass.v12i1.4814
- Journal
- Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 12(1), 19-32
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Al-Abri, S. R., Al-Harthi, G. S., Denman, C., & Al-Mahrooqi, R. (2025). Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra. Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 12(1), 19-32. https://doi.org/10.53542/jass.v12i1.4814
MLA 9
Al-Abri, shorooq Rashid, et al. "Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra." Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, vol. 12, no. 1, 2025, pp. 19-32. https://doi.org/10.53542/jass.v12i1.4814.
Chicago (author–date)
Al-Abri, shorooq Rashid, Ghada Said Al-Harthi, C.j. Denman, and Rahma Al-Mahrooqi. 2025. "Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra." Journal of Arts and Social Sciences 12 (1): 19-32. https://doi.org/10.53542/jass.v12i1.4814.
Harvard
Al-Abri, S. R., Al-Harthi, G. S., Denman, C. and Al-Mahrooqi, R. (2025) 'Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra', Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 12(1), pp. 19-32. doi:10.53542/jass.v12i1.4814.
Vancouver
Al-Abri SR, Al-Harthi GS, Denman C, Al-Mahrooqi R. Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra. Journal of Arts and Social Sciences. 2025;12(1):19-32. doi:10.53542/jass.v12i1.4814
IEEE
S. R. Al-Abri, G. S. Al-Harthi, C. Denman, and R. Al-Mahrooqi, "Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra Cross-generational Dialect Familiarity and Use in Oman: The Case of Al-Hamra," Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 19-32, 2025, doi: 10.53542/jass.v12i1.4814.