Arabic Language:
The Arabic language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and is considered one of the official languages of the United Nations. It is the primary language in the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa. This widespread distribution has classified Arabic as one of the languages that many students, particularly non-native speakers, strive to learn in order to appreciate the beauty of its words. Additionally, it is one of the languages that has preserved its grammatical rules up to the present time because it is the language of Islam, Muslims, and the Holy Quran. The Arabic culture is also extremely rich with numerous works, whether literary, scientific, or otherwise, written in classical Arabic. The total number of Arabic letters amounts to twenty-eight.
The Arabic language holds significant importance in Arabic culture, heritage, and literature because it is considered a part of Arab civilization.
Arabic is one of the Semitic human languages that has maintained its linguistic and grammatical history since ancient times. It is the language of various peoples and tribes, such as Thamud and ‘Ad, contributing to its spread in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant. Arabic is the language of Islam, the Quran, and the noble hadiths, which has enhanced its value and status among Arabs and Muslims. The Arabic language has played a role in the advancement of many civilizations, particularly European ones, which has encouraged Europeans to learn and understand it to become familiar with its letters and words. The Arabic language possesses linguistic uniqueness that sets it apart from other global languages, evident in its clarity and the distinctiveness of its vocabulary. Many Semitic languages use Arabic-origin words, which has contributed to the closeness between Arabic and other global languages.
Global interest in the Arabic language began to emerge in the mid-20th century, specifically in 1948 when UNESCO decided to adopt Arabic as its third official language, following English and French. In 1960, the role of the Arabic language in making global publications more impactful was officially recognized. In 1973, UNESCO held its first conference on the Arabic language based on a set of proposals adopted by many Arab countries, leading to Arabic being established as one of the global languages used in international conferences.
Ihsan Al-Oqla, July 31, 2022
The Importance of the Arabic Language:
The importance of the Arabic language is reflected in the following aspects:
- It provides Arab nations with their distinct identity and highlights their status among the world’s peoples. Language is a key attribute of nations, and the strength of a people is measured by the spread and strength of their language and the number of people who master it.
- It is used as a primary language for teaching many sciences, including Islamic sciences such as Quranic studies, hadiths, and jurisprudence, in addition to teaching rhetoric, poetry, and literature.
- It contributes to a correct understanding of religion and elevates individuals, enabling them to learn the teachings of their religion without intermediaries.
- Arabic is a major reference for other languages in the world. Many foreign languages, such as Turkish, Persian, and Kurdish, have borrowed Arabic words and numbers.
- The Arabic language is important for learning other languages through translation and transfer, broadening a person’s horizons and understanding of other cultures.
Ola Al-Anati, June 26, 2018 (Source: Mawdoo3)