VERNACULAR ARABIC AND ITS ROLE IN UNDERMINING STANDARD ARABIC: A LINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The position of Standard Arabic as a unifying linguistic and cultural code has been increasingly undermined by the spread of vernacular varieties across Arab societies. This study explores the sociolinguistic factors driving this shift, drawing on classical philological sources, contemporary sociolinguistic theory, and recent empirical research. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the paper identifies key influences, including the gap between home and school language practices, the dominance of vernaculars in media and education, the accelerated borrowing of foreign terms, and the rise of hybridized communication in digital spaces. Despite the efforts of language academies, educators, and policymakers, responses have been fragmented and inconsistently applied. The study concludes that safeguarding the vitality of Standard Arabic requires integrated strategies that link education, media discourse, and digital policy, supported by strong political will. The implications extend to language planning and policy design, underscoring the urgency of coordinated interventions to preserve Standard Arabic in the context of globalization and technological disruption.