Startling transformations in scientific and technical fields have an increasing impact on modern life. Language is central to these transformations in being the fundamental means for the acquisition of science and the spread of knowledge, and no progress can be made without reliance on it. Each country thereby finds itself constrained to shape its language in ways that adapt to and benefit from the demands of the modern era.

The challenge posed by technology for language impacts on all the countries of the world and in particular the Arab countries, which for the most part remain very far behind technologically. This is why numerous Arab countries assiduously pursue scientific and technological expertise, including bringing the Arabic language up to a comparable level with other modern languages. This is especially the case with respect to adaptability to advanced computer technologies and support for cutting-edge research.

In certain ways the computer revolution represents a great challenge to all languages because rational mastery of computer technology appears to be the only possible answer if every language is to prosper in a world shaped increasingly by scientific research and technology. What is referred to as the computer revolution constitutes a profound cultural and technological turning point for developed countries. The relationship of the Arabic language to new technologies is especially relevant for the internet, since the number of Arabic users continues to increase, thereby reinforcing the demand that their language adapt and integrate these new technologies and lift itself up to the rank of the major technological languages (see Table 2.3 in Chapter 2).