Arabic language and contemporary challenges

There is near-universal agreement that the future of the Arabic language hinges on keeping pace with the challenges of the modern age, which fall under the umbrella of possessing knowledge in its contemporary sense, based primarily on modern technologies, the information revolution, and communications. The importance of the Arabic language on computer networks increases as society moves towards an information and knowledge society, and towards a knowledge-based economy and digitalization. Several indicators reveal the content of any language, and it is generally accepted that language is an institution that facilitates adaptation and communication, strengthens human selfhood, and defines the features of cultural identity. Therefore, we must ask how the Arabic language can benefit from modern technologies and confront the challenges posed by the present and future of human civilization. We must also consider how its speakers can overcome the numerous obstacles and difficulties that the language faces in its interaction with communicative functions and its engagement with global languages. It is worth recalling in this regard that the Arab world and the world celebrate the Arabic language through the day designated by UNESCO in October 2012, during the 190th session of the Executive Board (December 18th of each year). The establishment of World Arabic Language Day was not arbitrary; it is a celebration with dimensions, backgrounds, profound implications, and multiple meanings. Undoubtedly, it affirms the global standing of the Arabic language. Accordingly, every cultural institution or scientific body concerned with celebrating this day, which reminds us of pride in the Arabic language and highlights the necessity of adhering to it, using it, and disseminating it as widely as possible, should do so. This day also prompts us to reflect on the challenges, predicaments, and dilemmas surrounding our Arabic language, and it makes us intensify our efforts to maintain the high status of the Arabic language in the face of attacks aimed at undermining it. These attacks must be countered by working to develop and preserve it to encompass the sciences of the age and modern technologies. The question of the Arabic language is not something that is merely a historical matter and its imposed requirements, but rather it has emerged today as a central issue that deserves study, research, and reflection. Therefore, the Arab League, in many of its recommendations, urges attention to the Arabic language in schools, universities, media, on the street, and at home, and recommends emphasizing cultural distinctiveness. And deepening pride in the Arab identity, foremost among which is the unique Arabic language, given its ability to absorb modern sciences and meet the purposes of communication in life without making it exclusive to specific purposes, as well as supporting the efforts made and aimed at using modern technologies (see, for example, the perspective of the researcher Saleh bin Ramadan: The Arabic Language: Towards What Future?, Juthour Magazine, a quarterly magazine issued by the Literary and Cultural Club in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Issue: 21, Vol: 9, Rajab 1426 AH, September 2005 AD).