Modern trends of social evolution affect the development of science in general and humanities in particular. Constantly increasing a flow of information, the synthesis of various fields of research, global informatization of society, which characterize the 21st century, have created new challenges for research. This study examines the scope of adaptation of humanities to the challenges of the present world. General trends in the development of humanities are considered on the example of Arabic dialectology, which is currently drifting between traditionalism and innovations in terms of research objectives and methodologies. Implementation of digital technologies and intensification of interdisciplinary interaction would ensure a more intensive development of Arabic dialectology.