(q) as a sociolinguistic variable in the Arabic of Gaza City

This study examines the effect of dialect contact between the indigenous residents of Gaza City and refugees originally from the city of Jaffa. The study offers a quantitative sociolinguistic investigation of the variable (q) in the speech of 22 residents of Gaza City. The sample is divided along the lines of dialect background, gender, and is separated into three age groups. Analysis of the data has revealed that for (q) a significant correlation exists with dialect background and gender, with female speakers and speakers of a Jaffa dialect background showing the highest tendencies to favor the glottal [Ɂ] realization for (q). Male speakers in the sample, regardless of their dialect background, showed a tendency to favor the localized [g] realization of (q)