On February 21st, the world celebrates International Mother Language Day, bringing to the forefront perennial questions about the Arabic language's vitality in an era of rapid digitalization and globalization. The discourse is often centered on whether Arabic can keep pace with modern developments or if it is destined to become merely a language of heritage and reverence, akin to Latin. Al Jazeera's report features insights from four distinct voices who each offer unique perspectives on the current and future state of Arabic.

Among the contributors is Iraqi poet Shauqi Abdul Amir, who manages a significant cultural institution in Paris while remaining rooted in Baghdad. He emphasizes that the preservation of any language, including Arabic, is not merely through nostalgia but requires a deep understanding of its challenges, likening the task to that of a physician diagnosing a patient's ailment. His voice, alongside those of an academic linguist, an Indian researcher with a passion for Arabic, and a West African advocate for disseminating the language across the continent, offers a rich tapestry of viewpoints that underline the necessity for bold usage and development of the language.

While each expert brings a different diagnosis regarding Arabic's current state and future, they converge on the belief that language is a living entity that thrives on active usage and innovative evolution. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, their discussions reflect a critical importance: languages must adapt and grow to survive, and Arabic's future hinges on how its speakers respond to the modern challenges they face, fostering an environment where it can flourish rather than fade into obscurity.