I’rab A Case | إِعْرَاب حَالَة
Lojain A. Al-Mubarak
In a world increasingly interconnected and influenced by globalization, many Arab-speaking communities in Saudi society
are today seamlessly integrating English into their spoken and written communication. Through extensive *Code-switching
(CS) between Arabic and English, a hybridized form of language is emerging, characterized by the fluid and dynamic
fusion of both languages. This shift is radically transforming the linguistic landscape in Saudi Arabia, blurring the
boundaries between the two languages and cultures.
* CS is the practice of alternating between two or more languages within a conversation.
I’rab a Case — A clarification of a case — aims to investigate the intricate interplay of language, culture, and
identity. This ethnographic research seeks to demystify the transformation occurring within Generation Z of contemporary
Saudi society and explore the codes of code-switching and their implications for cultural identity.
Installation
Inspired by the profound historical significance of AlMuallaqat, the "hanging odes" of Arabic literature, and their enduring embodiment as a source of pride and cultural identity, this suspended installation weaves conversations that unveil a liminal space where language transcends the confines of Arabic or English, converging into a fusion of both. This linguistic fusion symbolizes a creative yet chaotic tension, reflecting the dynamics of power and solidarity. With the goal of creating a space for dialogue about the evolving social and cultural scene happening in Saudi Arabia and critically examining the concept of hybrid cultures. this installation prompts reflection on the evolution of this transitional space and where we, as native Arabic speakers, stand in this linguistic shift.
Have our tongues been colonized?
The book
The contemporary cultural dilemma—whether to assimilate, hybridize, or resist the profound impacts of cultural globalization on language—serves as the theoretical framework that fundamentally shapes the essence of this research.
Mubeen project
Mubeen project represents a design response that considers prior research and tackles code-switching as a form of language hybridity within modern Saudi society from a communication design perspective. This design initiative presents a project focused on typeface design as a catalyst for social change, offering a concrete expression of resistance.
Mubeen| Typeface Design as a Catalyst for Social Change
This project explores the intersection of linguistics, type design, and digital communications. Rooted in the Arabic language, 'Mubeen' embodies meanings of clarity and comprehension. This experimental typeface design pushes beyond traditional typeface design practices, actively addressing contemporary sociolinguistic challenges, like Code-switching between Arabic and English in digital spaces within contemporary Saudi society.