UAE residents stress importance of preserving Arabic language

Half of UAE residents believe Arabic culture is being eroded in the country.

National Day celebrations on JBR Walk in Dubai. While Emiratis welcome visitors and expats, they feel that an understanding of Arab culture and tradition is very important. Antonie Robertson / The National
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ABU DHABI // Residents are divided about whether Arabic culture in the country is being eroded, but stress the need to preserve the mother tongue of the nation.

Half of those polled feel that more needs to be done to preserve the culture, while half disagree or are unsure.

Emiratis are more likely (61 per cent) to notice the loss of the Arabic culture.

Hassan Mohammed Al Najjar believes a knowledge of Arab culture and heritage is diminishing.

“It is the new generation. Some people are too busy to implement the Arab heritage in their working life,” says the 30-year-old Emirati.

“In my opinion, it starts from the family. The younger generation should copy their grandfathers to protect our heritage.”

The younger generation are going “more mainstream”, says Mr Al Najjar.

“But that doesn’t mean we should follow the new trend and forget our past.”

Mohammed Khammas, an Emirati and the chief executive of Al Ahli Holding Group, says he does not think Arabic culture is being eroded. However, he believes more needs to be done to protect the language.

“We are losing the Arabic language slowly in our daily utilisation,” he says. “There are so many different nationalities and English is a common language.

“We have lost the attachment to the Arabic language and this needs to be tackled. In public schools there is focus on the Arabic language but not so much in private schools.”

Mr Khammas says that Al Ahli Publishing and Distribution is introducing popular international comic books like Marvel’s Ironman, Spider-Man, Hulk and The Avengers in Arabic.

“Through the popular comics translated into Arabic, we want to ensure that young Arabs will be able to connect to the pop-culture phenomena in a language of their own,” he says.

The National’s poll also found almost half of residents believe the UAE is heavily influenced by the West.

Mr Khammas says that influence should be looked upon as a positive.

“We have learnt to embrace people from different cultures,” he says. “Whether or not one follows Emirati traditions or to what extent a person follows them is their own choice.

“Indians and Emiratis have many similarities, and Asians are the most infused group here. I believe we need to open up more to people from the West and they to us.”

Dr Jane Bristol-Rhys reiterates the importance of Emirati children knowing their mother tongue.

“I think Arabic language is not being lost but is just being badly taught in the schools.”

She says Arabic culture, and specifically Emirati culture, is not eroding but changing.

“There are some people who don’t want any change. Yes there are western influences but that is true for most of the countries. My students are very proud to be Emirati.”

Those who believe Arabic culture is being eroded suggest that Emiratis and Arab expatriates need to practise their culture more to preserve it, run awareness programmes and promote Arabic culture through festivals.

Sumaya Al Breiki, a 23-year old Emirati, agrees there is a western influence in the UAE but says this is not necessarily a bad thing.

“We like it,” says the Abu Dhabi student. “This is a changing culture, but the change is for the better. It is important to remember some traditions, but not all.

“For one, I think everyone should have more freedom. Families should trust girls more and let them go out by themselves. We live in a safe country.”

The survey questioned 627 men and 429 women.

“While enjoyed by many, the UAE’s multicultural environment is heavily influenced by western civilisation, bringing with it the erosion of Arabic culture,” says Alaeddine Ghazouani of YouGov. “Unsurprisingly, Emiratis are more likely to think that Arabic culture is being eroded, but expatriates, too, agree on the challenges facing the Arabic culture in the UAE.”

jbell@thenational.ae

arizvi2@thenational.ae

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A survey, commissioned by The National and carried out by YouGov, polled 1,056 Emiratis and expatriates on social integration in the UAE. Results showed that respondents believed expatriates had an obligation to gain a basic knowledge of Arabic culture and Islamic influence before relocating to the UAE. The survey showed that UAE residents are willing to mix with different nationalities however differences become apparent at the workplace where salary disparities exist depending on an employees nationality.

Read more on our social integration survery here:

Expats should be more aware of UAE culture, survey respondents say

UAE residents happy to mix with different nationalities, survey shows

'Western workers favoured in UAE', survey respondents say