Variation in the Use of Interdentals in the Taif Arabic Dialect: The Impact of Spatiality and Neighbourhood

The variation in the use of plain interdentals (ð)  and (θ ) across Arabic dialects is a significant factor in dialect classification. This study examines the variation in the use of these variants in two Saudi dialects (tribal and non-tribal) within Taif city in the western province of Saudi Arabia. The population of Taif consists of tribal groups that use interdentals and non-tribal groups that use stops. Spatiality (Britain, 2004) and neighbourhood (tribal dominant, non-tribal dominant, and mixed) were examined in relation to interdental and stop usage by both tribal and non-tribal groups. Due to Taif's unique location, which promotes interdental use, tribal speakers have preserved their heritage-dominant interdentals, preventing the adoption of [t] and [d] throughout the city. On the other hand, the non-tribal speakers demonstrate variability in their use of interdentals and stops. This does not necessarily signify a shift towards interdentals; rather, it reflects a dynamic utilisation of the variants to convey different social meanings