SHARJAH // Arab parents should encourage their children to express "joys, sadness, defeats and victories" in Arabic, or risk separating their young ones from a rich cultural heritage, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, the Ruler of Sharjah, said yesterday. Celebrating Arabic Language Day at the Cultural Palace in Sharjah, he said, "It is very important for Arabs to learn Arabic as it is part of their identity."
A study by Zayed University last year showed 80 per cent of young Emiratis believed the Arabic language defines their identity. The study was conducted among 200 students at the university. However, it also revealed that 53 per cent of the respondents preferred to watch television shows in English. "Regrettably, focus on the Arabic language is waning despite being the major component of the Arab identity and the strong preserver of our heritage," the state news agency WAM quoted Dr Sheikh Sultan as saying.
"Increasing care of the Arab communities about the foreign languages to communicate with the world should not eclipse our attention about our Arabic language", he said, citing common Arabic language errors and frequent use of foreign languages among youth. "The language we use to express our joys, sadness, defeats and victories is inseparable part of our own selves." The UAE was among several countries that celebrated their language as part of the global Mother Language Day, initiated by Unesco.
Dr Sheikh Sultan has written several books and plays aimed at protecting the Arabic language. He promised financial and moral support to help Arabic language projects in the emirate. As part of the celebration, the Sharjah Museum organised an exhibition, "Calligraphy as an Art", in which tools used in Arabic calligraphy were displayed. "The Arabic language with its distinguished linguistics holds the strength to promote nation building and strengthening cultural ties," said Manal Ataya, director general of the department. "Arabic is also the language of the Holy Quran, the basis of our unity, and the mirror of our present and future."
ykakande@thenational.ae
