Challenges Facing the Arabic Language in the Modern Era<br /><br />M.M. Likaa Abbas Zahir / Lecturer in the Department of Educational and Psychological Sciences<br /><br />Introduction<br /><br />Arabic is one of the oldest and most widely spoken Semitic languages, spoken by millions of people around the world. Despite its important status as a language of religion and culture, Arabic faces significant challenges in the modern era that threaten its strong presence in Arab societies and among its native speakers. These challenges include both internal and external factors that influence its use and development.<br /><br />The Most Important Challenges Facing the Arabic Language<br /><br />1. The Dominance of Foreign Languages<br />With globalization and technological advancements, foreign languages, especially English and French, have become dominant in the fields of education, economics, and media. Many Arab universities rely on teaching in foreign languages, leading to a decline in the use of Arabic in academic and specialized fields.<br /><br />2. The Decline of Classical Arabic in the Face of Colloquial Arabic<br />In daily life, colloquial dialects have become dominant, both in the media and on social media. This has led to a gap between the formal classical Arabic and the language used in everyday life, potentially weakening the new generation's skills in dealing with Classical Arabic.<br /><br />3. Weak Arabic Content on the Internet<br />Despite the presence of millions of Arabic speakers, the percentage of Arabic content on the internet remains weak compared to other languages. The lack of reliable Arabic sources on the internet promotes the use of foreign languages ​​in research and learning.<br /><br />4. Weak Arabic Language Education<br />The teaching of Arabic in schools suffers from numerous problems, such as traditional methods that focus on difficult grammar without linking it to practical application. This discourages students from learning Arabic and makes it difficult to master it.<br /><br />5. Influence of Other Languages ​​on Arabic<br />Due to constant contact with other cultures, many foreign words have entered Arabic, both in everyday conversation and in the media. This may lead to a weakening of the original language structure over time.<br /><br />How can these challenges be addressed?<br />1. Strengthening the status of Arabic in education: Arabic should be the primary language of education, with curricula updated to make them more interactive and accessible.<br />2. Encouraging Arabic digital content: Supporting the production of high-quality Arabic content in various fields of knowledge to increase the use of Arabic on the internet.<br />3. Activating the role of the media in supporting Classical Arabic: The media should be a means of promoting the use of Classical Arabic instead of relying solely on colloquial dialects.<br />4. Encouraging literary creativity in Arabic: Stimulating creative writing in Arabic in literature, journalism, and digital media, thus enhancing its cultural presence.<br />5. Organizing awareness campaigns: Raising awareness among individuals of the importance of the Arabic language and its role in identity and culture, and encouraging their use in their daily lives.<br /><br />Conclusion<br />The Arabic language is a rich and robust language, but it requires significant efforts to maintain its status in the modern era. By developing teaching methods, increasing its use in digital content, and promoting Classical Arabic in the media, we can address the challenges it faces and ensure its continued presence as a powerful and influential language.<br /><br /><br />(ALMUSTAQBAL University is the first university in Iraq)