Problems of the Arabic Language in Light of Modern Linguistic Theories: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study examines the multiple challenges facing the Arabic language in the modern era, seeking to analyze them through modern linguistic approaches to propose practical solutions. It reviews general challenges such as the dominance of foreign languages, diglossia, and weak digital content, alongside a detailed analysis of linguistic issues at phonetic (e.g., sound discrimination), morphological (e.g., verb conjugation), syntactic (e.g., agreement errors), and pragmatic (e.g., context-inappropriate usage) levels. To demonstrate the feasibility of overcoming these difficulties, the study draws upon Dr. Abdullah Al-Dannan’s experiment, which demonstrates that Arabic can be naturally acquired through practice rather than complex grammatical rote learning. Additionally, statistical analysis of a questionnaire administered to university students reveals that student alienation stems from overly complex curricula, excessive memorization, and traditional teaching methods rather than the language’s intrinsic structure. The study concludes that the core gap exists between linguistic theory and educational application, recommending grammar simplification, curriculum modernization, and enhanced teacher training to elevate the Arabic language and streamline its acquisition.