Arabic Language: Preserving its Present for a Sustainable Future

“Where are you from?” It is a question we have all been asked and recently, more so. In the globalised world of today, language is part of what defines us. Language is one gateway to understanding the other.

Today, we acknowledge the necessity to preserve and promote different languages to effectively contribute to, and benefit from ground breaking tools available in scientific, creative and literary fields. Today, it is essential for us to teach the young generation about the importance of preserving their own language to allow them to become better citizens of the world, ones who take pride in their roots and heritage.

Arabic is the fifth most popular language in the world with over 422 million speakers worldwide. Many varieties exist in the Arabic language and are widely spoken in North Africa, the Middle East, Levant and the Arabian Gulf. Arabic is a rich and dynamic language capable of adapting to the changing times. Its use is not limited to communication but is also a gateway to the comprehension of religious and historical texts. How else can one grasp this vast region’s heritage and civilization if not through its own language?

However, languages, like species, can also become extinct. When we lose a language, we are presented with a limited perspective on the culture, history and knowledge of the people who spoke it. As a result, the rest of humanity loses their knowledge of that environment and their culture, religious or philosophical beliefs. To avoid such circumstances and understand the challenges faced by Arabic language today, there is a need to conduct in depth studies and scientific research to know more about the status of the language.

The ‘Status and Future of Arabic Language’ – an initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is of strategic importance. The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development and the Arabic Language Advisory Council will launch a report that surveys these challenges. In a recent tweet, His Highness said, “We have a national agenda for Arabic language, and we have issued directives to work further through studies and initiatives to cement the Arabic language as a language of life.” The report will serve as an integrated and comprehensive account for all Arabic speaking countries, governments, universities, and private sectors to better promote our culture in times when the region is misunderstood due to the limited worldview offered through mainstream media.

Language has the distinct capacity to reach different cultures organically. However, it also requires policies to protect its form and content. The report on the ‘Status and Future of Arabic Language’ offers insights to develop new policies to improve the status of the Arabic language, promote its international presence, and cultivate reliable reference methods for researchers and historians. This initiative is complemented by the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, who announced the establishment of the Arabic Language Association on the occasion of UN Arabic Language Day, which is internationally celebrated on 18 December each year. Such steps encourage government and private institutions to contribute to the development of Arabic language and to build bridges of communication with other Arabic-speaking communities around the world.

The power of language can truly be measured by the scientific and intellectual content it offers and this is manifested in the works of many Muslim scientists and mathematicians from the medieval Islamic world who communicated in Arabic and made pioneering discoveries in their respective fields. Al-Kindi, Ibn Rushd, Al-Farabi, and Ibn Khaldun are some examples of esteemed Arabic-speaking masters and thinkers. With their discoveries for the betterment of humanity, they were able to safeguard their language and nurture its presence globally.

As citizens of the world, it is our duty to cultivate our values and culture in ourselves and our children to ensure a future that is free from judgement, prejudice, and discrimination. A future that takes pride in our roots. It is only through the appreciation of our own, and within our own, that we can preserve our identity.

We are reminded by the wise words of the founding father of the UAE who once said, “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future.” What is our language if not the past, present and future?