اللّغة والازدواج

Abstract

The Arabic language is one of the most prominent languages characterized by a rich and diverse structural and semantic system. However, it faces a complex linguistic and sociocultural phenomenon known as *diglossia*, in which two distinct varieties coexist: the Classical or Standard Arabic, with its formal and traditional character, and the colloquial dialects associated with everyday and lived discourse. This duality raises fundamental questions regarding the nature of Arabic and its role in preserving cultural identity and facilitating social communication. This study aims to examine the phenomenon of diglossia in Arabic from multiple perspectives, tracing its roots in Arab culture since ancient times and following its evolution through different historical stages up to its contemporary reality. The research adopts a descriptive and analytical approach that combines data from both classical and modern linguistic sources, analyzing them in light of linguistic and sociolinguistic theories. It also compares the viewpoints of Arab scholars and orientalists in their interpretations of this phenomenon. The significance of this research lies in its attempt to clarify the relationship between Standard Arabic and the vernacular dialects, and to explore whether diglossia constitutes a threat to the unity of the Arabic language, leading to its fragmentation, or whether it represents a natural condition reflecting the vitality and adaptability of the language in diverse communicative contexts. The study also seeks to highlight the implications of this phenomenon in key domains such as education, media, and cultural identity formation, in addition to its impact on language policy across the Arab world. The findings indicate that diglossia is not merely a superficial division between two linguistic levels, but rather a dynamic structure that embodies both strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, it allows flexibility in expression and communication; on the other, it complicates the processes of learning and teaching the language. Its persistence is tied to historical, social, political, and cultural factors that make it an integral part of the Arabic linguistic landscape, difficult to overcome or eliminate. Understanding diglossia in Arabic is an urgent necessity—not only for describing the current linguistic reality, but also for anticipating the future of the Arabic language amid contemporary challenges, particularly the dominance of foreign languages, the digital media revolution, and the emergence of new modes of communication. Studying this phenomenon opens avenues for rethinking Arabic language education and policy in ways that balance the preservation of Standard Arabic with an openness to linguistic diversity in use.