The acquisition of English articles presents considerable challenges for second language (L2) learners, particularly those whose first language (L1) lacks a comparable article system. This study focuses on the impact of L1 Arabic dialects on the acquisition of English definite articles. A key variable explored is the presence or absence of nunation, a phonological marker of indefiniteness in some Arabic dialects. The study compares the performance of speakers of two major Saudi Arabian dialects: Najdi, which features nunation, and Hijazi, which does not. The research questions are: 1) Will Najdi and Hijazi speakers use "the" in similar ways regardless of the presence or absence of nunation? 2) Do semantic features (definiteness and specificity) affect the use of "the"? Understanding these questions is crucial for improving English language teaching methodologies for Arabic speakers and illuminating the complexities of cross-linguistic influence in second language acquisition (SLA). The existing literature on Arabic speakers learning English articles reveals inconsistencies. Some studies find significant errors, particularly in the overuse of "the", while others show native-like proficiency levels in advanced learners. These discrepancies may stem from variations in participant L1 backgrounds and proficiency levels, highlighting the need for a more nuanced investigation.

Previous research on L1 Arabic speakers' acquisition of English articles has yielded mixed results. Studies like Crompton (2011), Abudalbuh (2016), Alhaisoni et al. (2017), and Alhothaly (2020) examined article use among Arabic L2 learners but often lacked detailed consideration of dialectal variations or a consistent focus on semantic features. Crompton found inaccuracies even among advanced learners; Abudalbuh noted differences based on proficiency; Alhaisoni et al. found omission errors prevalent; and Alhothaly observed accuracy with "the" but difficulties with indefinite articles. Aboras (2021) studied highly proficient learners and found accuracy in definite contexts, while Alzamil (2023) compared Najdi and Hijazi speakers, suggesting differences in indefinite article use. This existing literature reveals a gap in understanding the specific role of dialectal features like nunation and the impact of semantic settings (definiteness and specificity) on article acquisition. This study attempts to address these gaps.

The study employed a quantitative approach with 56 participants: 24 Najdi speakers, 24 Hijazi speakers, and 8 native English speakers (control group). The Najdi and Hijazi speakers were secondary school students from Riyadh and Jeddah, respectively, chosen based on self-reported dialect usage. All experimental participants began learning English in elementary school. An Oxford Quick Placement Test assessed English proficiency, ensuring participants were at an elementary level. A multiple-choice test, adapted from Ionin et al. (2004), comprised 24 dialogues with missing articles. Participants selected the correct article ("the", "a", or Ø) for definite contexts (12 singular, 12 plural), further categorized by specificity (+S, -S). The test was piloted with native English speakers to ensure clarity and lack of ambiguity. Data collection involved separate administrations of the proficiency test and the multiple-choice test, with the latter administered on a different day to avoid fatigue. Native English speaker data served only for test validation, not for direct comparison. Statistical analysis used non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney) due to data violating the normality assumption. Correct and incorrect article uses were analyzed to provide a comprehensive view of patterns.

The Mann-Whitney test revealed no significant difference in the overall use of "the" between Najdi and Hijazi speakers (r=0.04, P=0.739). However, a deeper analysis based on semantic features and number (singular/plural) revealed nuanced differences. In [+D, +S] singular contexts, Hijazi speakers used "the" more accurately than Najdi speakers. Conversely, Najdi speakers overused "a" in [+D, +/-S] singular and [+D, -S] plural contexts, while Hijazi speakers overused Ø in [+D, -S] singular and [+D, +/-S] plural contexts. Tables 1 and 2 present the descriptive statistics showing the percentage of article use for each group in different contexts. Tables 3 and 4 present the results of Mann-Whitney tests comparing Najdi and Hijazi speakers' article usage across various semantic contexts. Tables 5 and 6 show within-group comparisons of article use. Table 7 compares the use of articles in specific (+S) versus non-specific (-S) contexts. These findings indicate that while both groups perform similarly in overall "the" usage, the type of errors they commit differs, suggesting an influence of the L1 dialect. Both groups show sensitivity to specificity, using "the" more accurately in specific contexts.

The findings address the research questions as follows: 1) While Najdi and Hijazi speakers used "the" similarly overall, a detailed analysis reveals differing error patterns. The presence of nunation in Najdi does not directly translate to overall accuracy differences in "the" use, but it significantly impacts the type of errors made. Najdi speakers tend to overgeneralize "a", possibly due to their L1's nunation marking indefiniteness. Hijazi speakers show a stronger tendency to omit articles. 2) Both groups demonstrate sensitivity to specificity, contrasting with the prediction of the Fluctuation Hypothesis that suggests low-proficiency learners would be less sensitive to specificity. The observed differences between Najdi and Hijazi speakers highlight the importance of considering dialectal features in SLA research, explaining inconsistent results in prior studies. The overuse of "a" by Najdi speakers could potentially decrease with increased exposure to L2 input.

This study contributes to SLA research by demonstrating the impact of subtle L1 dialectal features like nunation on L2 article acquisition. Although both Najdi and Hijazi speakers exhibited similar overall accuracy in using "the", their error patterns diverged, suggesting an effect of L1 nunation on the choice of indefinite articles. Both groups exhibited sensitivity to specificity. Future research should investigate the role of nunation further using oral tasks and consider larger samples across various proficiency levels. This would provide a richer understanding of the impact of L1 dialectal variation on the acquisition of English articles.

The study's limitations include its relatively small sample size and the focus on a limited range of L1 backgrounds and dialects. The use of a multiple-choice test, though effective for controlling semantic conditions, might not fully capture the complexities of spontaneous language use. Future research could incorporate oral tasks and expand the range of dialects and proficiency levels examined.