المملكة: Specialists for “Al-Youm”: The Arabic language is the spirit of identity, the bulwark of values, and the bridge of civilization from the past to the future
Specialists have confirmed that the Arabic language represents an essential pillar in preserving cultural and civilizational identity, enhancing community affiliation, and preserving religious and intellectual values across generations.
They explained in their interview with “Al-Youm” on the occasion of International Arabic Language Day, which falls on December 18, states that protecting Arabic is a shared responsibility that requires the integration of educational, cultural and community efforts.
Strengthening community identity
The director of the Center for Research Excellence in the Arabic Language at King Abdulaziz University, Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sulami, said: The Arabic language contributes to strengthening Community identity in several fundamental ways, as it is not just a means of communication, but rather a container for culture, values, and societal memory, as it carries in its texts the history of the nation in its religious, intellectual, and civilizational dimensions, from the Holy Qur’an and the noble Prophet’s hadith, to poetry, wisdom, and stories, which over the centuries documented Arab experiences, values, and ideas, and made the Arabic language a living bridge linking the past to the present and connecting generations to its cultural roots.
He explained that the Arabic language is also considered one of the most important factors of unification among members of society, because it provides a shared feeling of belonging to one culture and a comprehensive identity, which contributes to strengthening social cohesion and consolidating the sense of identity and belonging.
The Arabic language is a vessel of culture and arts
He explained that Arabic, as the language of the Holy Qur’an, represents an essential means of preserving Islamic values and moral values in society, as they are used to transmit teachings, behaviors and concepts that contribute to shaping the individual’s personality and building the societal value system, ensuring the continuity of these values across generations.
He pointed out that the Arabic language is a vessel for culture and arts, as Arabic literature, in its two parts, poetry and prose, in addition to theater and narrative arts, reflects people’s lives, issues, concerns, aspirations and visions towards the future, including It makes the language an honest mirror of society and its transformations.
He stressed that civil institutions are an essential partner in strengthening and protecting the status of the Arabic language, as they transfer interest in the language from the framework of governmental and institutional work to a comprehensive community project in which various segments of society participate. He indicated that one of the most prominent roles of these institutions is enacting linguistic policies and developing linguistic planning plans that ensure the development of Arabic and its keeping pace with the developments of the times, in addition to supporting legislation that preserves its right to correct use and respects its status, as an authentic national identity. For society.
The Kingdom’s support for the Arabic language
For her part, a faculty member at Prince Sattam University, Professor Dr. Maliha Muhammad Al-Qahtani, said: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of countries seeking to serve the Arabic language and spread it regionally and internationally, based on its pioneering role as the cradle of Islam and the source of the Arabic language, stressing that this interest is clearly evident in its continued support for linguistic and cultural academies and institutions in the Arab world.
She indicated that the establishment of the King Salman International Academy for the Arabic Language is a pivotal step in this path, as the complex has become an international beacon concerned with unifying linguistic efforts, formulating policies that preserve Arabic’s presence and influence, and enhancing cooperation with international organizations, such as UNESCO and the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
She explained that the Kingdom pays special attention to spreading the Arabic language globally, through the establishment of centers and institutes. Education abroad, and organizing specialized programs to teach Arabic to non-native speakers, which contributed to introducing people to the culture of the Arabic language and its literature, and making Saudi universities a distinguished academic destination for learning the Arabic language and its literature.
She indicated that these efforts are strengthened by offering generous scholarships that attract students from various countries of the world, so that after their graduation they become ambassadors of the Arabic language in their countries, in addition to the various cultural activities carried out by the Saudi embassies, through seminars, celebrations and programs. accompanying the International Arabic Language Day.
She stressed that these initiatives reflect that the Kingdom’s efforts are not limited to protecting the Arabic language internally only, but extend to consolidating its presence globally as a language of civilization, identity and culture, embodying its responsibility towards the language of the Holy Qur’an, and its pioneering role in serving the Arab and Islamic heritage.
Challenges of the Arabic language in the digital age
Arabic language teacher Ghada Makki Al-Sharif said: "The Arabic language represents the basic pillar of the cultural and civilizational identity of society, as it is the language of the Holy Qur’an, and the vessel that preserves the cultural and intellectual heritage of the Arab and Islamic nation, noting that pride in Arabic contributes to strengthening belonging and consolidating the national and civilizational identity among generations.".
Regarding the most prominent challenges facing the Arabic language in the digital age, she explained " The honorable "The most important of them is the wide spread of the English language and the rapid technological development, in addition to the external influences that were reflected in patterns of communication and linguistic use, which requires increased efforts to protect Arabic and enhance its presence in the digital space.
She indicated. " The honorable " Educational and cultural institutions have a pivotal role in protecting the Arabic language and developing its presence, through supporting translation and publishing, organizing events, courses, and festivals, in addition to establishing specialized departments and programs that contribute to discovering and refining Arab talents, and highlighting the creative potential in various fields.
She directed " The honorable " A sublime message to the Arabic language, saying: “Resist in the face of challenges, for you are the strongest and most exalted of languages.” She also sent a message to the people of the Arab nation in which she called on them to increase the use of classical Arabic in various areas of life, and to reduce colloquial language, in order to preserve the beauty of the language, its status, and its cultural role.
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