A Non-Linear Analysis of Foreign English Words in Standard Arabic

This study aimed to analyze the foreign English loanwords in Standard Arabic within the framework of a non-linear phonology (autosegmental phonology). The analysis of the data focused on selected phonological processes such as: consonantal substitutions including voicing, devoicing, velarization, fortition. Moreover, it covers the phonological process of assimilation, comprising palatalization, labialization, nasalization, and vowel harmony. Furthermore, vowel lengthening and shortening phonological processes were identified in the collected data. The sample of the study is collected from six sources: Said (1976), Zughoul and Hussein (1993), Al-Saqqa (2001), Mukkaram (2006), Salem (2015), and Abu Guba (2016). Finally, the study showed that autosegmental theory provides an adequate analysis in explaining certain phonological processes when dealing with English loanwords.