Exploring narrative proficiency in Arabic speakers: A literature review.

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Title: Exploring narrative proficiency in Arabic speakers: A literature review.
Authors: Kawar, Khaloob1 (AUTHOR) khaloob@hotmail.com
Source: First Language. Feb2026, Vol. 46 Issue 1, p65-99. 35p.
Subject Terms: *Diglossia (Linguistics), *Disabilities, Narration, Cross-cultural studies, Thematic analysis, Arabic language, Sociocultural factors
Geographic Terms: Arab countries
Abstract: This review synthesizes existing research on the narrative abilities of Arabic-speaking individuals, both with and without disabilities, with particular attention to the roles of age, diglossia, and cultural context. A systematic search of electronic databases identified 18 studies published between 2000 and 2024 that addressed narrative development in Arabic-speaking populations. Findings indicate a positive association between age and both micro- and macrostructural components of narrative competence. Diglossia emerged as a significant factor, with narratives in Modern Standard Arabic tending to be shorter and less complex than those in Spoken Arabic. Cultural influences were evident in the adaptation of crosslinguistic narrative assessment tools, which required modifications to suit Arabic linguistic and sociocultural contexts. The review also highlights specific challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Overall, this review underscores the complex interplay of linguistic, cognitive, and cultural factors in narrative development among Arabic speakers and identifies a pressing need for further research on narrative abilities in populations with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of First Language is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Exploring narrative proficiency in Arabic speakers: A literature review.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kawar%2C+Khaloob%22">Kawar, Khaloob</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> khaloob@hotmail.com</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22First+Language%22">First Language</searchLink>. Feb2026, Vol. 46 Issue 1, p65-99. 35p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diglossia+%28Linguistics%29%22">Diglossia (Linguistics)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disabilities%22">Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Narration%22">Narration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cross-cultural+studies%22">Cross-cultural studies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Arabic+language%22">Arabic language</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sociocultural+factors%22">Sociocultural factors</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Arab+countries%22">Arab countries</searchLink>
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  Data: This review synthesizes existing research on the narrative abilities of Arabic-speaking individuals, both with and without disabilities, with particular attention to the roles of age, diglossia, and cultural context. A systematic search of electronic databases identified 18 studies published between 2000 and 2024 that addressed narrative development in Arabic-speaking populations. Findings indicate a positive association between age and both micro- and macrostructural components of narrative competence. Diglossia emerged as a significant factor, with narratives in Modern Standard Arabic tending to be shorter and less complex than those in Spoken Arabic. Cultural influences were evident in the adaptation of crosslinguistic narrative assessment tools, which required modifications to suit Arabic linguistic and sociocultural contexts. The review also highlights specific challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Overall, this review underscores the complex interplay of linguistic, cognitive, and cultural factors in narrative development among Arabic speakers and identifies a pressing need for further research on narrative abilities in populations with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of First Language is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1177/01427237251352338
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Diglossia (Linguistics)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Narration
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      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Arabic language
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      – SubjectFull: Sociocultural factors
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      – SubjectFull: Arab countries
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              Text: Feb2026
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              Y: 2026
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