Abstract

This paper deals with the process of domestication of English expressions as a sociolinguistic phenomenon. It aims to explore the reasons of domesticating foreign [English] expressions that are variously acculturated within such social variables as gender, age, and social status. A modified sociolinguistic interview has been conducted to take the most frequently domesticated expressions in order to be included in a questionnaire administered to different sample of the Iraqi-Najafi Arabic speakers. The questionnaire is used to support the interview in fulfilling the aims of the research. Throughout the discussions, certain conclusions have been observed. English expressions are domesticated as a strategy of globalization and Englishization. Another considerable conclusion is that females have used domesticated expressions as a way to show prestige and acculturation.