Question

As-Salaamu alaykum,

I have noticed that most of the Arabs I have met, including those that give instruction in tajweed, do not pronounce dhaad from the posterior side of the tongue.  Instead, in their colloquial speech they pronounce it exactly like Dhaa' or they pronounce it as a daal with tafkheem from the makhraj of Taa'.  Even in reciting the Qur'aan some teachers instruct you to pronounce it with the tip of the tongue.  I was actually surprised how few of the Arabs I met knew the proper pronunciation of dhaad. I was just wondering is there any country or area where the people still pronounce dhaad from the side of the tongue.

Jazakumullahu khairan
As-Salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh

 Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatu Allahi wa baraktuh,

The people from Hijaz area of Saudi Arabia (the city dialects not the tribal dialects), and those from the Northern part of Yemen pronounce the Dhaad with the correct articulation point in their normal conversation. 

You are correct, many Arabs do not pronounce the dhaad correctly in their colloquial speech. 

Wa iyyaakum. Wa assalaam alaikum wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakaatuh.