11th edition of the World Arabic language day

As the fifth most spoken language in the world, the Arabic language is today the official language of 25 countries and is spoken by over 420 million people. Its role in international trade is becoming increasingly strategic as the Middle East’s global influence continues to grow.

The growing significance of the Arabic language, along with the need to offer local linguistic services (French-Arabic and Arabic-French translation), led the translation and interpretation agency Atenao to open a branch in Tunisia. On this day, we pay tribute to this millennia-old language.

Arabic language , a key player in global dialogue

Since 2012, December 18 has been celebrated as World Arabic Language Day. UNESCO decided to create World Arabic Language Day to highlight how important the Arabic language is. The idea was proposed during the 190th session of the UNESCO Executive Board by Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Libya. On December 18, 1973, Arabic became one of the six official languages of UNESCO. To remember this important moment, December 18 was chosen as World Arabic Language Day. Since 2010, each of the UN’s six official languages has its own special day to celebrate language diversity and cultural richness. These six languages are also used for translation and interpretation during international meetings, especially in General Assembly sessions. This helps encourage their regular use and keep them visible on the global stage.

Multilingualism is now a key part of our development. It helps bring people and cultures closer together. It involves not only learning and using several languages, but also understanding the ideas and values these languages express. This is essential for encouraging dialogue and mutual understanding.

Rich and diverse, the Arabic language stands out for its varied forms of oral expression and poetic calligraphy, as well as its contribution to artistic fields such as architecture, cinema, poetry, philosophy, and music. It is at the dawn of knowledge and played a key role in spreading Greco-Roman science and philosophy throughout Europe during the Renaissance.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the vital role Arabic has played in shaping philosophical thought and spreading mathematical knowledge since the early days of this millennium. As for France, the Arabic language has provided French with terms used on a daily basis, such as échec (check), jasmin (jasmine), lilas (lilac), safran (saffron) and timbale (timbale). Most of these terms are related to science or commerce (abricot (apricot), alchimie (alchemy), azur (azure), épinard (spinach), etc.), fields in which Arabic-speaking countries have always excelled.

According to Ibrahim Boughali, President of the National People’s Assembly of Algeria, the Arabic language is “one of the pillars of national identity” in “strengthening national character” and consolidating social and national cohesion. Indeed, language is a powerful tool for communication and serves to promote peace and development in a country. It is a symbol of diversity and cultural influence and contributes to knowledge. Let us not forget that nearly one billion people around the world speak Arabic as their first or second language. This shows the cultural impact it has. The Arabic language is also set to surpass Portuguese and Spanish, with an estimated 700 million speakers by 2050.

The Arabic language is attempting to expand into other countries, and recent years have shown some improvement: in 2007, only 6,500 middle school students were learning Arabic in French schools, compared to 15,000 in 2019. This is still a small percentage compared to Latin languages such as Spanish, German, and Italian, but these figures show that Arabic is gaining ground in the Western world.

Celebrating Arabic Language

Celebrating Arabic means recognizing the scientific, literary, and intellectual contributions that Arab people have made over thousands of years. Many writers, artists, and scientists whose mother tongue is Arabic have left a lasting impact on the world and helped shape global culture. World Arabic Language Day is also a tribute to their achievements. By establishing this day, UNESCO honors Arab culture and its vital role in international development.

The Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts explains clearly why this celebration matters:
“The Arabic language, through its diverse forms, styles, and literary expressions, has made a major contribution to the humanities and translation. This has allowed it to influence cultures across the globe and enrich human civilization.” She adds that this celebration is no longer limited to Arab countries. Today, many international organizations, cultural and diplomatic missions, and even language academies around the world take part. According to her, “nations are rediscovering the role of Arabic in the development of science and translation.”

Discover the Arabic language by celebrating it

This year marked the eleventh edition of World Arabic Language Day, and UNESCO focused on the theme of “bridges of translation.” The celebration took place over four days, from December 14 to 18, 2022, at the IMA, the Arab World Institute, in Paris, France. The IMA has hosted the Arabic Language Day celebration since 2015.

It is important to note that this celebration is no longer actually called “World Arabic Language Day,” but rather “Arabic Language Day,” which reflects the true significance of this event and the attention it aims to draw to the language. The program includes round tables for academics, researchers, and experts of all kinds, panel discussions, musical performances, speed dating, introductions to the Arabic language, poetry readings, and musical performances. A live wall calligraphy demonstration was also organized, which amazed visitors. Arabic calligraphy is listed as a skill, knowledge and practice on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

On the second day of the event, two round tables were held in line with this year’s theme. The first was led by Barbara Cassin and the Maisons de la Sagesse, focusing on “the untranslatable aspects of the three monotheistic religions,” followed by a presentation of the Bilingual Glossary of French Administration. A bookshop was also set up, offering Arabic and French books on a variety of topics and for all age groups, a real treat for book lovers. The “speak-datings” brought together Arabic and French speakers who met to exchange and learn each other’s language, creating a space for cultural dialogue. Students from middle and high schools learning Arabic performed songs, and beginners had the chance to attend an introductory class. This session introduced them to the type of Arabic used in media, on the internet, and on social networks, a variety understood across the Arab world. To wrap things up on a festive note, shows, readings, and other performances were organized throughout the day, offering something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a great way to celebrate Arabic and immerse ourselves in a rich culture that has so much to offer. See you in December 2023 for the twelfth edition of International Arabic Language Day, which is sure to have many more surprises in store.