The Arabic language is a fundamental pillar in shaping the cultural and civilizational identity of the nation. It is not merely a means of communication, but rather the vessel that preserves Arab history and achievements, and the backbone upon which religious and intellectual values rest. The Arabic language is gaining increasing importance in light of global changes, and the world celebrates it annually on December 18th, the date that coincides with the United Nations General Assembly's 1973 resolution to include Arabic among the official and working languages of the United Nations.
The importance of the Arabic language and its rich history
The Arabic language has deep historical roots, having preserved its linguistic and grammatical characteristics for over 1400 years, thanks to the revelation of the Holy Quran in clear Arabic. Its importance lies in its role as a bridge connecting the past and present, and as a link between different peoples and cultures, which has enabled it to directly influence many other languages and contribute to the transmission of sciences and knowledge during the golden ages of Islamic civilization.
Strengthening identity and social cohesion
Speaking to Al-Youm, specialists emphasized that protecting the Arabic language is a shared responsibility. Professor Abdulrahman Al-Sulami, Director of the Center of Excellence for Arabic Language Research at King Abdulaziz University, explained that the Arabic language plays a pivotal role in strengthening societal identity. He pointed out that it represents the "collective memory" that preserves the nation's experiences and wisdom, from religious texts to its literary and poetic heritage.
Al-Salmi added that language acts as a powerful unifying factor among members of society, giving them a sense of belonging to a single culture, thus strengthening social cohesion. He also noted the role of civil society organizations as strategic partners in developing language policies that ensure Arabic keeps pace with modern developments while preserving its authenticity.
The leading role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
For her part, Professor Maliha Mohammed Al-Qahtani, a faculty member at Prince Sattam University, highlighted the significant efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve the Arabic language. She emphasized that the Kingdom, given its status as the cradle of revelation, is leading a global cultural movement to support the Arabic language, clearly demonstrated by the establishment of the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language.
Al-Qahtani pointed out that the Kingdom’s vision is not limited to the interior, but extends to spreading the language globally through scholarships, establishing specialized institutes to teach non-native speakers, and cooperating with international organizations such as UNESCO and ALECSO, which consolidates the presence of Arabic as a language of civilization and science.
Challenges of the digital age and artificial intelligence
In a related context, Arabic language teacher Ghada Makki Al-Sharif addressed the current challenges facing the language in the digital age. She explained that the digital dominance of foreign languages and rapid technological advancements pose real challenges that necessitate strengthening Arabic content on the internet.
Al-Sharif called on educational institutions to adopt initiatives that support translation and digital publishing, and the discovery of literary talents, directing a message to the new generations about the need to adhere to classical Arabic and reduce the use of colloquial Arabic to ensure the continuation of the language as an effective tool for thinking and creativity.
