The Impact of Foreign Housemaid on Omani Child’s Language from the Perspective of Parents

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the impact of foreign housemaid on

Omani child’s language, by exploring different language influencing aspects.

To achieve the aim of the study, the researcher prepared a questionnaire addressed

to some parents, which included different affecting language aspects

of foreign housemaid on Omani child’s language. The size of sample was 172

males and females. After analyzing the data, the results of the study indicated

that the Omani child is affected by the housemaid by incorporating some

words of their own language with Arabic words in a conversation, in addition

to the incorrect pronunciation of some Arabic letters. In contrast, results

indicated, a low effect in the distinction of numbers, and delayed talking in

Arabic to advanced age levels. The results also indicated that there were statistically

significant differences in determining the impact of housemaid on

Omani child between males and females in the following aspects: isolation

and shame of verbal interaction with others, and delayed communication in

Arabic to advanced age levels, and in the imitation of housemaids in their

gestures in expressing their different needs, and the slowness in the stages of

language development. All these differences were in favor of males. According

to the results of the study, the researcher presented a set of recommendations,

which focused on increasing the community awareness of the dangers

of maid’s affect in collaboration with various media, and activating the role

of the teacher in the treatment of some aspects of the speech by creating appropriate

educational environment for the child