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In:Sociolinguistic Approaches to Arabic and Spanish in Contact
Edited by Farah Ali, Carol Ready and Sherez Mohamed
[Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics 44] 2025
► pp. 185–219

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Chapter 10
Global encounters

Discourse in and about Haketia, the Judeo‑Spanish of Morocco

 | Binghamton University
Published online: 17 July 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ihll.44.10kir
Abstract
Utilizing just over 10 hours of content from the online Enkontros de Alhad series, this study examines contemporary discourse in and about Haketia. This paper considers contact between Western and Eastern Judeo-Spanish as well the use of Arabic-originating lexicon in the former variety. A discursive analysis of data reveals the ways speakers of Haketia address one another (deference), engage with and react to other varieties of Judeo-Spanish (juxtaposition), memorialize places and times (nostalgia), internalize and promulgate ridicule (linguistic insecurity), negotiate linguistic difference (variation), and preserve language (purpose). Further, this study contributes to an increasing body of literature focused on the preservation and advancement of Judeo-Spanish by means of digital platforms, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article outline
  • Introduction
    • Haketia
    • Enkontros de Alhad: Background
    • Discourse in and about Haketia
    • Deference
    • Juxtaposition
    • Nostalgia
    • Linguistic insecurity
    • Variation
    • Purpose
    • Framing Haketia: The role of the moderator
  • The virtual community
  • Discussion and conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
  • Appendix
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