Language Pattern of Arabic Debaters of International Islamic University Malaysia in Debating

Abstract

This study aims to explain the Arabic debating language pattern among International Islamic University Malaysia Arabic debaters. It will focus on debating terms and phrases that are widely circulated in Arabic debating in this university whereby these terms distinguish debate from any other language activities such as forums, discussions and public speaking. This study will show examples of styles and phrases that are used by the debaters when they perform their roles as members of two opposing teams, which are the government and the opposition. This collection of examples can be used as a reference for those who participate in Arabic debate as well as for debate trainers. It can be a useful helping tool when training the novice. Although it may not be the best reference as there are too many language styles and phases debaters use, at the very least it can help debaters to have a grasp of basic debating phrases and terms and therefore, will lead to betterment in choosing the right phrases and words when they debate. It is important for them to have a good grasp of these phrases and terms on the basis, that debating is not a regular dialogue or discussion, but it is also an art of systematic and constructive argumentation. Furthermore, the debate skill requires a high accuracy of words used, clarity of ideas and ‘straight to the point’ manner of speaking without any elongation of the time allocated for every speaker/debater is very limited.