Edited by Atta Gebril
[AILA Applied Linguistics Series 15] 2017
► pp. 307–341
This chapter examines the past and current state of Arabic with a view towards contemplating some possible changes it may undergo in the near future. After noting the current state of Arabic and how it is characterized by multidimensional variation and diversity, past, present, and future, the analysis brings together research on linguistic diversity (retrospective views) with notions of futurology (prospective views) to propose a revised list of procedures for carrying out a futurological project. Arabic will then be examined within this framework in order to evaluate possible scenarios for its future development. Aside from contemplating a future for Arabic, an additional goal is to outline a program of future research which will address the questions of future language development in a more disciplined fashion.