The Importance of Learning Arabic
If you think about the advantages of learning Arabic, it will be worth the effort and time you put into learning the language.
Arabic
Arabic is a South-Central Semitic (Near-East region) language. This language is spoken in most of the Arabian Peninsula, parts of the Middle East and North Africa. In this region, the languages with the most number of speakers are in the order; Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish and Hebrew. These languages belong to different language families. Turks are part of the Turkish family. Hebrew and Arabic belong to the Afro-Asian language family. Apart from these main languages, people in the Middle East speak some 20 minority languages.
Arabic is a macro language that has 30 modern dialects or variations. Literary Arabic, which is also called Standard Arabic or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), is used today in formal and written speech in the Arab world, whereas Classical Arabic is used in Islamic literature in the 7th to 9th centuries. -Qur'an.
The basis of Modern Standard Arabic is the classical version, however, the differences between the two relate to the simplification and modernization of writing and speaking styles. MSA is used in modern versions of the Qur'an and modern editions of novels and poetry from the Abbasid and Umayyad periods.
Reasons to Learn Arabic
Arabic is the fourth most spoken language in the world. About 315 million people in 58 countries speak Arabic as their first language, according to Ethnologue.
Here are the reasons for the need to learn Arabic:
[1] Learning Arabic and mastering it will make you stand out, especially if you mix in European society, as very few Westerners speak Arabic. This ability makes you appear smart and sophisticated.
[2] Learning a language is learning about the culture of the country where it is spoken. Arabic culture is very rich and interesting. Especially in the post-Islamic period, there were so many works of scientific bases in Arabic. Learning the language will allow you to read some of the most famous classical literature. If you are a fan of stories like Aladdin, Ali Baba and Sindbad the Sailor, as well as stories of One Thousand and One Nights (Alf laylah wa laylah), you can enjoy in the original version.
[3] You will be able to benefit economically. The abundant natural resources in the Middle East and in Arabic will open many job positions for you.
[4] You will be able to experience true Arabic hospitality. Arabs are very proud of their language. In contrast to Germans who are not impressed when foreigners can speak their language, the opposite is shown by Arabs. Once a native Arabic speaker hears a foreigner speak a few Arabic words, they will be very excited and happy to help you learn their language.
[5] When you learn Arabic, you will be able to appreciate the way of life, cuisine, literature, music and arts that are unique to the region. You will open the door to their rich culture that is not frequently exposed to the Western world. You will value their cultural practices and products and understand the values that mean a lot to them, such as friendliness, dignity and respect.
[6] You will be able to understand the teachings of Islam better if you can read the Qur'an, Hadith, and explanatory books from Muslim scholars to understand its teachings.
[7] You will have an edge over the competition even if you are in the West. The demand for fluent Arabic speakers is quite high and few people from the West are trying to learn Arabic. The secret service in the US requires people who are fluent in Arabic. There are many businesses, including translating and interpreting that require Arabic speakers. Other areas requiring Arabic speakers include intelligence and foreign services, consulting, banking and finance, education and journalism.
[8] When you know Arabic, it will be easier for you to learn other languages spoken in the region, such as Persian, Turkish, Urdu and even Hebrew. Most of the vocabulary of these languages comes from and is similar to Arabic words, so you will be able to quickly grasp the semantic and grammatical concepts of other languages.
[9] Traveling to the Middle East would be much easier. A large number of Arabs speak English but most of the population only uses Arabic as their primary language. Even if you can only pronounce common words and phrases, it is better to speak the local language. This will help you appreciate traditional villages and other places of interest.
[10] If you are an American, you can take advantage of the financial incentives that the US government provides for people interested in learning Arabic. The government has stated that Arabic is a language of strategic importance, there is promotion of the learning of several languages which is very important for foreign policy and government relations. It provides study opportunities and scholarships for those interested in learning critical languages. Such support includes courses from beginner to advanced level, professional development, teacher exchanges, opportunities for intensive teaching and study abroad programs. You can check out the scholarships available from the Critical Language Scholarship Program, Boren Award from the National Security Education Program and the Arabic Language Abroad Excellence Program.
[11] If you are planning to join a trading company, import-export company or get involved in your own business, many opportunities are available in Arab countries. Its population is growing and with a very large GDP it is the main market for the export of services and goods. Learning Arabic and the culture of the language-speaking people will make it easier for you to negotiate and do business.
[12] Arabic-speaking countries contributed significantly to global civilization. They have an extensive library preserving lessons from Byzantine, Roman and Greek culture.
[13] You acquire vital language skills when you study Arabic. It is easier to learn French or Spanish and these languages will allow you to travel or work in different countries, especially in Europe. If you are studying Arabic, you are sure that there will be a huge demand for your language skills as they are in short supply. Furthermore, if you are studying Mandarin for example, your career focus will only be in a few countries, whereas if you are studying Arabic your chances are wider because it is spoken in 58 countries.
Interesting right? So when do you take the steps to learn it?
