Lübnan Diyalektinde Gündelik İfadeler Everyday Expressions in the Lebanese Dialect

Abstract

The aim of this study is to conduct a linguistic analysis that thoroughly examines the Lebanese dialect with a focus on daily communication practices. Arabic, due to the vast geographical area in which it is spoken, is divided into dialects, leading to the concept of diglossia, where Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) coexists with the dialects used in daily life. It is emphasized that the Lebanese dialect has been shaped by its interactions with languages such as Phoenician, Aramaic, Turkish, and French, drawing attention to its phonological (e.g., the softening of the letter (ق) to the sound (g)) and morphological (e.g., adding (ب) to the beginning of the present tense verb) differences from MSA. In the findings section, the 59 daily expressions identified are categorized into seven main themes: hospitality, eating and drinking, flattery, wishes and greetings, addressing, farewells and greetings, and congratulations. Among the expressions of hospitality, the phrase (صدر البيت الكن والعتبة النا) (Sadru’l-Beyt ilkun ve’l-‘atbe ilna), meaning “the head of the house is yours, the threshold is ours,” stands out for its expression of extreme generosity. Wishes and greetings include emotionally intense expressions such as (تؤبري قلبي) (Tubrî Elbî), meaning “I sacrifice myself.” The conclusion confirms that the dialect is a pragmatic means of communication rich in sociocultural meanings. The theme of hospitality shows the great importance given to guests in Lebanese culture, with the guest being equated with the concept of blessing and the host's altruism. It has been determined that expressions frequently convey love and value through organs such as the heart and eyes, and that the mention of the word “Allah” indicates a strong religious emphasis. One of the most important findings of the study is that direct equivalents in Turkish were found in 40 of the 59 expressions examined, revealing a significant closeness between the two cultures at the level of daily communication practices.