Arabic is a Semitic language that belongs to the Afro-Asiatic phylum. It is spoken as a mother tongue in over twenty-two countries from the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait), the Persian Gulf (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon Syria, Palestinian Territories), North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia), and to parts of West Africa (Chad, Niger, Nigeria), with a population of about 250 million of whom two-thirds are in Africa. Arabic is also used in many non-Arab Muslim countries given the central role that it plays as the language of the Muslim faith.
Culturally and historically, Arabic is one of the most important world languages. It is the language of Islam, of a rich literary tradition, and of a civilization that had a great impact on the world. Because it is one of the fastest growing languages, with an alphabet that comes second in use only to the Roman alphabet, the United Nations adopted Arabic as one of its six official languages in 1974. Its importance in Africa as the most populous language of the continent also led to its adoption as one of the four official languages of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, to which Kiswahili has now been added under the African Union (AU), the successor to the OAU. Arabic has established itself as an indispensable language for anyone interested in Islamic studies, comparative theology, Middle-Eastern studies, international law, political sciences, or international business.
Why should you study Arabic?
The answers are simple: First, Arabic is an investment asset that opens up a horizon of opportunities. With the advent of globalization, Arabic has certainly become one of the critical languages: what is now referred to as “an investment language”. Second, the changes in global politics and economy require Arabic as one of the critical languages for people interested in current world affairs. Third, the Middle East (covering the regions mentioned above) is the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of the world's three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And fourth, Arabic is also home to some of the world's greatest archeological and religious sites, and rich with diverse cultures. Arabic is therefore the gateway to an interesting and self-rewarding scholarly or business career.