A compilation study of spoken Arabic in Tarsus, a district of Mersin

Arabic dialect that is spoken in Tarsus, a district of Mersin, has been examined by means of semi-structured interview method in this study. Basic characteristics of Arabic dialect in Tarsus have been described in terms of phonology, morphology and syntax and compared with classical Arabic. This study consists of four chapters. In the first chapter, it's informed about Tarsus in general and citizens of Republic of Turkey living in Tarsus that are Arabic origin and where they came from. In the second chapter, basic characteristics of Arabic dialect in Tarsus have been examined in terms of example texts and uses. In the third chapter, five example texts have been included along with a dictionary that contains Arabic words used by locals during interviews with them and some other words that can be found in example texts. It's found in this study that Tarsus Arabs are speaking Syrian-Latakia (Suriye-Lazkiye) dialect, which is the place they mostly emigrated from. Due to interaction between languages all these years, they adopted some words or usages that are specific to Turkish phonologically and morphologically. A new sub-category of Syrian Dialect has been built over these years that has elements specific to Turkish, which is Tarsus Dialect. Keywords: Tarsus Arabic dialect, Anatolian Arabic dialects, dialect, classical Arabic,Arabs.