Borrowing adaptation routines in Oran Arabic

Abstract

Different processes take place to help speakers accommodate the alien items to their system. This research aims to explain the different conversion rules underlying the transfer of French linguistic materials to the dialect of Oran. It is more precisely a question of describing the productive processes in the speaking of Oran (OrA) as it is practiced by students at the University of Oran. In addition, the analysis focuses mainly on the transfer of two categories (nouns and verbs) which are likely to be adapted to the speaking system of Oran. The analysis is also based on spontaneous conversations between students recorded in various communication situations. The major findings inform us that adaptation strategies are not sporadic dia-systemic rules but rather regular analogical conventions. Adaptation is used consciously and unconsciously to fulfill some communicative functions.