The Foundations of the Old Arabic –Neo Arabic Dichotomy

Jonathan Owens

Abstract

The Old- New Arabic dichotomy has been a foundational concept in Arabic language studies since the mid-20th century. Key scholars like Brockelmann and Bergsträsser contributed significantly to this framework. Brockelmann characterized Arabic through terms like "Old Arabic" and "Neo Arabic," linking them to poetic language and dialects. Bergsträsser viewed Old Arabic as equivalent to Classical Arabic, suggesting a linear development to Neo Arabic. The dichotomy remains debated, with questions about its linguistic validity and historical context.The main thesis of the paper argues against the rigid Old– New Arabic dichotomy, proposing that the linguistic traits distinguishing Old Arabic from Neo Arabic are often shared and that the transition between them is not as clear-cut as traditionally assumed. It emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of Arabic's historical development, suggesting that both Old and Neo Arabic may share a more complex relationship than previously recognized. The main finding in the study isthat nearly all suggested differences between Old Arabic and Neo Arabic should be significantly relativized, asthey represent a collection of prototypical characteristics of a reconstructed Proto-Neo-Arabic that likely never existed.