Language, civilisation and globalisation in the 14th century: Historical periodicity and the evolution of language at Ibn Khaldūn

Ben-Ari, Shosh (2009) Language, civilisation and globalisation in the 14th century: Historical periodicity and the evolution of language at Ibn Khaldūn. Acta Orientalia, 62 (2). pp. 219-230. ISSN 0001-6446

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Abstract

Ibn Khaldūn, the 14th-century Arabic historian is known world-wide as a pioneer of sociological approach to the philosophy of history. Whereas much has been written about his views regarding history and society, very little has been granted to his writings about the Arabic language. In this article I want to show that Ibn Khaldūn had an original theory about the Arabic language too, which is interlaced with his theory about the history of humankind, its principles, rules and guidelines. The historical cycle influences also the development of the language. The vast study of globalisation in the Arab world is unprecedented, and one of the main issues is the language and its development. I will show that about 600 years ago Ibn Khaldūn foresaw those developments, analysed them and offered his own views about matching the Arabic language against the inevitable changes which result in the process known nowadays as globalisation.

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