Dissertation note: Failed attempt to reduce social distance

I am adding this entry to use in my dissertation later. This sort of social distance measure is useful in illustrating the phenomenon of language register that is such a huge part of discourse in all societies, but even more so in Arabic speaking countries.

When Tunisian ex-President Ben Ali addressed the Tunisian people for the last time before fleeing to Saudi Arabia, "he dropped the formal Arabic normally used for public addresses and instead pleaded in the Tunisian dialect, 'I have understood you.' Both attempts at closing the gap between leader and people were dismissed by the masses."