Language planning in Saudi Arabia (1927–2019): Arabic and other languages
Language planning in Saudi Arabia (1927–2019): Arabic and other languages

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study is to survey and explore the history and development of language policy and planning (LPP) in Saudi Arabia. It did not only probe into Arabic, which is the national language but also attempted to discover the relationship between Arabic and foreign languages functioning in the country, including English as manifested in policy documents. The method of data analysis was qualitative. It followed the historical-structural and the discourse-analytical approaches to language policy and planning research. The source of the data used in the analysis was a monograph of the collection of language policy and planning statements compiled by King Abdullah International Centre for Arabic Language (KAICAL). The major findings of the analysis of the texts in this document showed that the modern Saudi State has paid careful attention to language planning issues since its inception. Across the history of the Kingdom until today, language issues have been of central concern and various policy statements have attempted to cover status, corpus, acquisition, and prestige planning. The rationale has always been coping with economic, social, political, and educational changes. Cultural, religious, and national identity of the Kingdom is always present in most of language policy and planning and plays a key guiding role. The power relation between Arabic and foreign languages in Saudi Arabia national and international concerns was clearly addressed in the policy document. The intertextuality traced among the policy statements provided strong evidence of cohesion in the language planning situation in Saudi Arabia.

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