What is the reason for the multiplicity of dialects and their differences between the Arab countries?

Arab weather - we all speak Arabic, but the difference in Arabic dialects can be distinguished from one country to another and even between one region and another within the same country. Dialects may be close between countries and may differ so radically that it is difficult for the people of some countries to understand what the other, who comes from a different geographical area, is saying.

Of course, we are talking here about the local or colloquial dialect, because no matter how different the Arabic dialects are, we all follow the same rules when it comes to the classical Arabic language, with the exception of some few differences that we will not address in this topic because what we will talk about is the difference in the dialects of the spoken language and not Differences and controversies about the test.

Diversity of dialects according to regions

The Arabic dialects differ according to the geographical distribution. Each region has its own pronunciation and dialect. The Egyptian accent differs from the Saudi, whose dialect intersects with the Emirati, and differs with the Lebanese, whose dialect intersects with the Syrian, all of which differ completely from the Moroccan dialect.

The difference between Arabic dialects

• The Gulf region: similar dialects between the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, which are similar to the Yemeni dialect and the dialects of the Bedouins of Jordan.
• Bilad al-Sham: The Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian dialects are similar and differ to some extent in details, but in general they are similar, in addition to the Jordanian urban dialect, especially the dialect used in the capital, Amman.
• Egypt: The Egyptian dialect has its own character that makes it different in pronunciation and intonation from all the Arabic dialects, yet it is easy for everyone to understand because of the great role that Egyptian cinema played in spreading it. There is a difference in dialects within Egypt itself between the interior and Upper Egypt.
• The Maghreb: Perhaps it is the language that is very difficult for the rest of the Arab peoples to understand, as it extends from eastern Libya to the western coast of Mauritania. They differ between them, and the difference in Arabic dialects is dramatically evident in this case.

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The reason for the different Arabic dialects

The difference in dialects dates back to the pre-Islamic era; For example, Bani Rabi’ah used to add the letter “Shin” to Kaf, such as “I saw you and you.” As for Bani Tamim, they used the word “hamza” on the word “Get ready, you become my teacher.” As for the Thaqif tribe, they used the letter “Al Ain” in the place of the letter “Haa” (until you become atti). These are simple examples that show us a very small part of the difference in dialects that began since the pre-Islamic era and was passed down from one generation to another.

Dialects are formed due to two factors, namely:

1. isolation from the environments of one community ; Either because of the terrain of the rugged region of mountains, rivers and deserts, or because of some social isolation due to specific circumstances, and the result is that different linguistic environments do not develop at the same speed that the dialects of other non-isolated regions develop.
2. ancient invasions and migrations; When an area was invaded, the invaders would carry their dialect, and accordingly, wars of another kind would begin, which would ultimately decide which dialect would win and continue. Either a dialect would be eliminated or they would be combined, thus coming up with a new dialect that combines the two types.

For example, the conquests of the Arabs eradicated the Aramaic, Coptic and Berber languages. On the other hand, we find that the countries of the Maghreb speak in a language that feeds between French and Arabic, influenced by French colonialism.

Three tribes played a major role in the differentiation of the Arabic dialect

Historians consider that three immigrant and displaced tribes had a major role in forming the Egyptian, Levantine, Iraqi, Gulf, Maghreb and other dialects. These tribes are: Tamim, Hudhayl, and Tai’ , but there are so many dialects that are classified of unknown lineage so that scholars do not know to which side they should be attributed.

• The Tamim tribe: It is a group of Arab tribes whose original home is Al-Dahna and the northern regions of Najd and Al-Yamamah in Saudi Arabia. It is also found in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
• The Hudhayl tribe: They inhabited the Hejaz, in the west of the Arabian Peninsula.
• The Tay tribe: inhabited the north of the Arabian Peninsula, and spreads in the northern part of the Syrian governorate of Hasaka, to the eastern Nineveh.

Source: arrajol.com