W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture

Frank Zackary Jenio

doi:doi:10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11

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W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture

Frank Zackary Jenio

Published in Arabic Language, Literature & Culture (Volume 3, Issue 1)

Received: 21 May 2018 Accepted: 1 June 2018 Published: 13 June 2018

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Abstract

In the field of sociolinguistics, the relationship between language and culture has been discussed briefly in larger hypotheses (i.e. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis); however, the relationship (whether language influences culture, culture influences language, or no connection) has never been properly suggested through linguistic research and evidence. This research aimed to develop various grounded theories regarding the relationship between language and culture by analyzing semantic shifts for the Arabic word “wasta” (واسطة) used by Emirates today within the United Arab Emirates. The method utilized an online survey completed in Arabic by fourteen Emirati, native Arabic speakers. Of the fourteen responses, eight showed signs of a semantic shift that was not influenced by culture. As a result, the final grounded theory stated that “language is constantly evolving, but language and culture are not connected and do not influence each other”. This study and its grounded theories are significant to the fields of sociolinguistics and semasiology as it provides a deeper insight into both how languages change over time and what factors do (or in this case, do not) influence them to change. Moving forward, further research should investigate the relationship between language and culture and replicate this study with larger samples and with words that have various meanings in other languages in order to compile more evidence to either support or oppose the final grounded theory.

Published in	Arabic Language, Literature & Culture (Volume 3, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11
Page(s)	1-8
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2018. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Arabic Linguistics, Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, Semasiology, Sociolinguistics, Wasta, Culture

References

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Frank Zackary Jenio. (2018). W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture. Arabic Language, Literature & Culture, 3(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11

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Frank Zackary Jenio. W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture. Arab. Lang. Lit. Cult. 2018, 3(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11

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Frank Zackary Jenio. W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture. Arab Lang Lit Cult. 2018;3(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11

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@article{10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11,
  author = {Frank Zackary Jenio},
  title = {W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture},
  journal = {Arabic Language, Literature & Culture},
  volume = {3},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-8},
  doi = {10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.allc.20180301.11},
  abstract = {In the field of sociolinguistics, the relationship between language and culture has been discussed briefly in larger hypotheses (i.e. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis); however, the relationship (whether language influences culture, culture influences language, or no connection) has never been properly suggested through linguistic research and evidence. This research aimed to develop various grounded theories regarding the relationship between language and culture by analyzing semantic shifts for the Arabic word “wasta” (واسطة) used by Emirates today within the United Arab Emirates. The method utilized an online survey completed in Arabic by fourteen Emirati, native Arabic speakers. Of the fourteen responses, eight showed signs of a semantic shift that was not influenced by culture. As a result, the final grounded theory stated that “language is constantly evolving, but language and culture are not connected and do not influence each other”. This study and its grounded theories are significant to the fields of sociolinguistics and semasiology as it provides a deeper insight into both how languages change over time and what factors do (or in this case, do not) influence them to change. Moving forward, further research should investigate the relationship between language and culture and replicate this study with larger samples and with words that have various meanings in other languages in order to compile more evidence to either support or oppose the final grounded theory.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture
AU  - Frank Zackary Jenio
Y1  - 2018/06/13
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11
T2  - Arabic Language, Literature & Culture
JF  - Arabic Language, Literature & Culture
JO  - Arabic Language, Literature & Culture
SP  - 1
EP  - 8
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2639-9695
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AB  - In the field of sociolinguistics, the relationship between language and culture has been discussed briefly in larger hypotheses (i.e. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis); however, the relationship (whether language influences culture, culture influences language, or no connection) has never been properly suggested through linguistic research and evidence. This research aimed to develop various grounded theories regarding the relationship between language and culture by analyzing semantic shifts for the Arabic word “wasta” (واسطة) used by Emirates today within the United Arab Emirates. The method utilized an online survey completed in Arabic by fourteen Emirati, native Arabic speakers. Of the fourteen responses, eight showed signs of a semantic shift that was not influenced by culture. As a result, the final grounded theory stated that “language is constantly evolving, but language and culture are not connected and do not influence each other”. This study and its grounded theories are significant to the fields of sociolinguistics and semasiology as it provides a deeper insight into both how languages change over time and what factors do (or in this case, do not) influence them to change. Moving forward, further research should investigate the relationship between language and culture and replicate this study with larger samples and with words that have various meanings in other languages in order to compile more evidence to either support or oppose the final grounded theory.
VL  - 3
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Frank Zackary Jenio

Department of Capstone: Research, American School of Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Frank Zackary Jenio. (2018). W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture. Arabic Language, Literature & Culture, 3(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11

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ACS Style

Frank Zackary Jenio. W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture. Arab. Lang. Lit. Cult. 2018, 3(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11

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AMA Style

Frank Zackary Jenio. W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture. Arab Lang Lit Cult. 2018;3(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11,
  author = {Frank Zackary Jenio},
  title = {W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture},
  journal = {Arabic Language, Literature & Culture},
  volume = {3},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-8},
  doi = {10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.allc.20180301.11},
  abstract = {In the field of sociolinguistics, the relationship between language and culture has been discussed briefly in larger hypotheses (i.e. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis); however, the relationship (whether language influences culture, culture influences language, or no connection) has never been properly suggested through linguistic research and evidence. This research aimed to develop various grounded theories regarding the relationship between language and culture by analyzing semantic shifts for the Arabic word “wasta” (واسطة) used by Emirates today within the United Arab Emirates. The method utilized an online survey completed in Arabic by fourteen Emirati, native Arabic speakers. Of the fourteen responses, eight showed signs of a semantic shift that was not influenced by culture. As a result, the final grounded theory stated that “language is constantly evolving, but language and culture are not connected and do not influence each other”. This study and its grounded theories are significant to the fields of sociolinguistics and semasiology as it provides a deeper insight into both how languages change over time and what factors do (or in this case, do not) influence them to change. Moving forward, further research should investigate the relationship between language and culture and replicate this study with larger samples and with words that have various meanings in other languages in order to compile more evidence to either support or oppose the final grounded theory.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - W is for Wasta: A Grounded Theory for the Relationship Between Language and Culture
AU  - Frank Zackary Jenio
Y1  - 2018/06/13
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11
T2  - Arabic Language, Literature & Culture
JF  - Arabic Language, Literature & Culture
JO  - Arabic Language, Literature & Culture
SP  - 1
EP  - 8
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2639-9695
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.allc.20180301.11
AB  - In the field of sociolinguistics, the relationship between language and culture has been discussed briefly in larger hypotheses (i.e. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis); however, the relationship (whether language influences culture, culture influences language, or no connection) has never been properly suggested through linguistic research and evidence. This research aimed to develop various grounded theories regarding the relationship between language and culture by analyzing semantic shifts for the Arabic word “wasta” (واسطة) used by Emirates today within the United Arab Emirates. The method utilized an online survey completed in Arabic by fourteen Emirati, native Arabic speakers. Of the fourteen responses, eight showed signs of a semantic shift that was not influenced by culture. As a result, the final grounded theory stated that “language is constantly evolving, but language and culture are not connected and do not influence each other”. This study and its grounded theories are significant to the fields of sociolinguistics and semasiology as it provides a deeper insight into both how languages change over time and what factors do (or in this case, do not) influence them to change. Moving forward, further research should investigate the relationship between language and culture and replicate this study with larger samples and with words that have various meanings in other languages in order to compile more evidence to either support or oppose the final grounded theory.
VL  - 3
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download