THE EVOLUTION OF ARABIC VOCABULARY AND LEXICAL STUDIES: BIBLIOMETRIC TRENDS FROM 1970 TO 2024

Abstract

This bibliometric analysis investigates the research landscape, growth trajectory, and thematic evolution of scholarly work on Arabic vocabulary from 1970 to 2024, utilizing data retrieved from the Scopus database. A total of 1,592 peer-reviewed articles were systematically selected after excluding review papers and non-research content, ensuring the inclusion of original studies focused specifically on Arabic vocabulary acquisition, usage, pedagogy, and linguistic development. VOSviewer software was used to generate bibliometric maps that visualize patterns of co-authorship, institutional affiliations, geographical distribution, and keyword co-occurrence. The results reveal that Arabic vocabulary research has undergone a significant transformation, marked by a sharp increase in publications particularly after the year 2000, with exponential growth continuing into 2024. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United States were identified as the top contributing countries, while King Saud University and the University of Haifa stood out as the most productive institutions. Author keyword analysis revealed key research trends such as adaptation, aphasia, and applied linguistics, alongside emerging digital and computational themes like deep learning, Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), and social media which indicate a growing intersection between Arabic vocabulary studies, neurolinguistics, and artificial intelligence. Most of the research outputs are situated within the social sciences and humanities reflecting the foundational linguistic and cultural roots of Arabic vocabulary studies, though increasing contributions from STEM and health sciences suggest a widening interdisciplinary relevance. This study not only maps the academic growth of Arabic vocabulary as a research field but also underscores its expanding global significance, its integration with modern technologies and its relevance to diverse educational and sociocultural contexts. The findings serve as a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and policymakers aiming to further explore and develop this crucial domain of Arabic language research.

Keywords: Arabic vocabulary; bibliometric analysis; Scopus database; VOSviewer; research trends