Exploring narrative proficiency in Arabic speakers: A literature review

This review synthesizes existing research on the narrative abilities of Arabic-speaking individuals, both with and without disabilities, with particular attention to the roles of age, diglossia, and cultural context. A systematic search of electronic databases identified 18 studies published between 2000 and 2024 that addressed narrative development in Arabic-speaking populations. Findings indicate a positive association between age and both micro- and macrostructural components of narrative competence. Diglossia emerged as a significant factor, with narratives in Modern Standard Arabic tending to be shorter and less complex than those in Spoken Arabic. Cultural influences were evident in the adaptation of crosslinguistic narrative assessment tools, which required modifications to suit Arabic linguistic and sociocultural contexts. The review also highlights specific challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Overall, this review underscores the complex interplay of linguistic, cognitive, and cultural factors in narrative development among Arabic speakers and identifies a pressing need for further research on narrative abilities in populations with disabilities.