The purpose of this presentation is to explore the concept of diglossia and its various forms. In this analysis, I will explore concepts such as lexical distance, illustrating with examples how this phenomenon manifests to varying extents across different languages. The discussion will extend to diglossia within Arabic-speaking regions, accompanied by a systematic review of studies examining its influence on literacy development. Furthermore, in this presentation, I will discuss the findings related to the complexities of diglossic influence on literacy and examine the stance on whether diglossia adversely impacts formal language acquisition and literacy. This analysis will consider cases of high literacy levels in diglossic settings, contrasted with scenarios where, despite the absence of diglossia, literacy rates remain low. In conclusion, a summary of these discussions will be presented, along with an overview of research focusing on the most significant factors contributing to literacy development in diglossic regions.

Authors:
Lama Bergstrand Othman, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Lama Bergstrand Othman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Special Education
Areas of Interests: Cognitive Psychology of Reading, Assistive Technology, and Behavior Intervention.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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