This chapter provides a snapshot of different language policies in the Arab world, implemented ones and unimplemented ones, and of the ever-evolving relation between language, ideology, nation and state in the Arab world. Section 5.2 begins with a definition of language policy. Section 5.3 examines the general concept of nation and juxtaposes it with that of state, then discusses the relation between the Arab nation and language. Because both ideologies and policies in the Arab world have been shaped by the history of colonisation in the area, mainly British and French colonisation, Section...

This chapter provides a snapshot of different language policies in the Arab world, implemented ones and unimplemented ones, and of the ever-evolving relation between language, ideology, nation and state in the Arab world. Section 5.2 begins with a definition of language policy. Section 5.3 examines the general concept of nation and juxtaposes it with that of state, then discusses the relation between the Arab nation and language. Because both ideologies and policies in the Arab world have been shaped by the history of colonisation in the area, mainly British and French colonisation, Section 5.5 compares and contrasts French and British patterns of colonisation and their impact on ideology and policies. Some countries are examined in detail: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. Section 5.6 considers the linguistic situation in Libya and the Gulf countries, and Section 5.7 discusses Arabic language academies and their main objectives. Section 5.8 provides a case study of two interviews with two presidents of Arab countries Syria and Yemen. Section 5.9 concentrates on the concept of linguistic rights with reference to the Arab world, and finally English and globalisation are discussed in Section 5.10.