International Journal of Language & Linguistics

Diglossia in the Arabic Language
Laila Abdullah Al Suwaiyan

Abstract
This paper synthesizes information from several resources on the Arabic language and its development from Classical Arabic to Modern standard Arabic Focusing on the main reason for changes within the Arabic language. Then it discusses the Arabic dialects focusing on the phenomenon of diglossia, which is the existence and use of two or more types of Arabic in an Arabic-speaking country, the reasons for its existence and its effect on Arab children’s learning abilities. Some differences in phonology and lexicon between the Modern Standard Arabic and some Arabic dialects are represented, which may help teachers of English, obtain a general idea of these differences and to expect that there might be some differences in learning English especially in English pronunciation among Arabs. Some Arabic speakers may find difficulties in pronouncing specific sounds whereas others may not counter a similar difficulty. Finally, ending this paper with speculations regarding the future of the Arabic Language.

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