Abstract: In this paper, I introduce the three coexisting language varieties in Egypt- CA (Classic Arabic), EAV (Egyptian Arabic Variety), and EV (English Variety). Then I argue that Low variety (Egyptian Cairene dialect) of the diglossic situation of Arabic language in Egypt is getting special attention in an intentional attempt to standardize it. Diglossic situation is a problem as some researchers believe. However, in the case of Egypt, the problem is not in the diglossic situation itself, but it is in the existence of the CA that some thinkers believe is the reason for Arabs’ backwardness. In here I show the different plans of thinkers and mass media to standardize the EAV at the expense of CA. The paper concludes that CA is firm enough because it is strongly related to the Muslim religious book (Quran) and that it is extremely hard to replace.
Keywords: Diglossia, Low variety, High variety, Egyptian Arabic, Standard Arabic, Standardization, Language planning and policy, History of Arabic Language, Code switching.
Title: Diglossic Situation of Arabic Language in Egypt: Is Low Variety planned to get standardized?
Author: Mohamed A. Yacoub
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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