The Current Status of Modern Standard Arabic in the Algerian Speech Repertoire: In between the Reality of Degeneration and Ambition of Revitalization

Abstract

Many intensive studies have been conducted to investigate language planning and language policy from different perspectives in Algeria, particularly the Arabization Policy. Herein, the present research tried to investigate the current status of Modern Standard Arabic in the view points of both MA students in the faculty of letters and languages and Arabic language teachers in the Department of Arabic at Ibn Khaldoun University of Tiaret in terms of usage and language attitudes. Above and beyond, this study paid more attention to underline the major reasons behind the lack of awareness of Modern Standard Arabic Revitalization. To confirm our research hypotheses and answer our research questions, the study adopted two research methods; students’ questionnaire that was administered to one hundred (100) randomly chosen respondents and teachers’ interview that was addressed to six (06) informants who have been selected randomly at Ibn Kaldoun university of Tiaret. In fact, the obtained results reveal that Modern Standard Arabic needs its speakers’ attention and their awareness about its real current national and official status. Therefore, it’s high time the decision makers managed a well-grounded language planning and well-intentioned language policy to revitalize MSA within the Algerian speech repertoire.