World Heritage Site:
Old City of Acre
Publication Year:
2022
Publication Type:
Article
Publication Identifier:
WHEDDE14D2D37
Summary
Acre Arabic, spoken by locals in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Acre, exhibits unique linguistic features that reflect the city's complex history. Unlike Palestinian Arabic, some characteristics align with Syrian and Egyptian dialects, suggesting historical influences from these regions. The study, based on interviews conducted in 2016–17, particularly with older residents, identifies distinctive phonological, morphological, and syntactical traits. These findings offer insights into Acre's linguistic evolution, shaped by its strategic location and cultural exchanges over centuries.
Citation
Zuʾbi, A. (2023). Some linguistic features of the dialect of Acre and their possible explanation by the history of the city. Journal of Semitic Studies, 68(2), 713–758. https://doi.org/10.1093/jss/fgac029