SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON THE CHOICE OF A LINGUISTIC VARIANT IN LIBYAN ARABIC DIALECT

The purpose of this paper is to look at the different linguistic varieties of the Arabic language, and the diglossic situation in Libya. In order to determine the high and low variety/ varieties, two different low varieties from different regions in Libya (Tripoli and Benghazi) were compared and contrasted. These cities are on opposite sides of the Libyan map, Tripoli being on the western side and Benghazi on the eastern side. The similarities and differences are shown through examples and tables as well as how those varieties measure up to the Modern Standard Arabic. The influences that contributed to the differences such as colonization and migration are explained. The diglossic concept in Libyan Arabic is quite intricate and requires much further study.