World Arabic Language Day 2023: One of the world’s most widely spoken languages, Arabic is spoken by approximately 390 million people. It is also the official language of the United Nations as well as the liturgical language of approximately 1.6 billion Muslims. Having been one of the only modern languages written and read in a right-to-left manner, Arabic is a fascinating language with a long history. For all of these reasons and many more, we can all agree that Arabic is more than deserving of its very own day.
World Arabic Language Day: History
Although the Arabic language is the language of Islam, it dates back over one hundred years further than the religion. The earliest Arabic inscriptions were created as early as the 6th century AD. After being derived from Aramaic for centuries, the Arabic alphabet evolved into its own language. In 632, Muslims believe Muhammad was revealed the Quran in his own language. To this day, the Quran, Islam’s holy book, is read in religious ceremonies and sermons in Classical Arabic.
By the 8th century, many poems and other works had been written in Arabic. Most countries in the world use the Arabic numeral system today, a significant impact of Arabic. Arabic has also served as a significant source of vocabulary for many European languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, and Sicilian, as well as non-European languages like Swahili. English speakers frequently use Arabic words such as cotton, coffee and guitar, among others.
A UNESCO initiative established World Arabic Language Day in 2010 to promote cultural understanding. Arabic currently comes in three types: Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, and Arab dialects. Different regions also speak colloquial Arabic, an everyday dialect. In addition to Christina Perri and Colin Farrell, thousands of people worldwide have gotten tattoos in Arabic due to its elegant, flowing lines.
World Arabic Language Day: Greetings, Wishes, Messages and quotes to share
World Arabic Language Day celebrations
The language may be unknown to many in North America or Europe, so it is best to learn it. Clearly, it is impossible to learn this complex language in one day, but that should not stop you from trying. The Arabic language is especially beautiful when sung.
If you enjoy opera, you should listen to Sarah Brightman’s most acclaimed album, Harem. Songs on the album combine Arabic pop and opera, sung in several languages, including Arabic. By listening to this album, you will be able to become familiar with what the language sounds like, as well as learn about various instruments and sounds typically associated with Middle Eastern music. It is likely you will fall in love with these sounds and instruments.
The importance of learning Arabic
In today’s globalized world, the importance of learning Arabic cannot be understated. With over 422 million speakers worldwide, Arabic is the fifth most spoken language in the world.
Besides being one of the six official languages of the UN, it is widely used in business.
Learning Arabic opens up an entirely new world of professional and personal development opportunities. The ability to read, write and speak Arabic can give students an edge when applying to universities.
For professionals, being bilingual in Arabic can make them more attractive to employers and help them advance in their careers.
Arabic provides students with insight into Arab culture and history, as well as practical benefits such as practical skills. The study of Arabic can help students appreciate the diverse cultures in the Arab world, as well as their rich heritage.
ARABIC LANGUAGE DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | December 18 | Monday |
| 2024 | December 18 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | December 18 | Thursday |
| 2026 | December 18 | Friday |
| 2027 | December 18 | Saturday |
