The paper titled "Language Planning in Saudi Arabia (1927–2019): Arabic and other Languages" by Abdul Wahed Qasem Ghaleb Al Zumor primarily focuses on the historical development and analysis of language policy and planning (LPP) in Saudi Arabia. The research investigates both the national language, Arabic, and its relationship with foreign languages, including English, as reflected in various policy documents.
The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive survey of the history of LPP in Saudi Arabia from 1927 to 2019. It aims to classify and examine the different types of language planning activities, including status, corpus, and acquisition planning, in response to the social, political, economic, and educational changes within the Kingdom. The study also seeks to address the gap in systematic research on Arabic language policy in the context of Saudi Arabia’s evolving international role.
Methodologically, the research employs qualitative data analysis using historical-structural and discourse-analytical approaches. The primary data source is a monograph published by the King Abdullah International Centre for Arabic Language (KAICAL), containing 149 policy statements regarding language planning in Saudi Arabia. These documents are analyzed to understand the ideological and policy-driven language planning processes within the Kingdom.
The key findings reveal that Saudi Arabia has consistently prioritized language planning since the establishment of the modern state. Language issues have been central to national identity, and various policy statements have addressed status, corpus, acquisition, and prestige planning. The study shows that Arabic has been maintained as the dominant language, while the relationship between Arabic and foreign languages, particularly English, has been carefully regulated. This regulation reflects a balance between maintaining national identity and adapting to global and technological changes. Intertextuality within the policy documents demonstrates a strong cohesion in language planning throughout the Kingdom's history.
The study concludes that Saudi Arabia's language policy and planning are robust and have played a significant role in shaping the nation's cultural and national identity. The findings highlight the need for further research on language in education policy to address issues related to the internationalization of education and national cultural identity. The study also recommends the establishment of a dedicated language policy and planning body in Saudi Arabia to ensure systematic documentation and evaluation of current policies, recognizing the efforts of existing institutions like KAICAL.