Arabic Language Day

The Arabic language is a pillar of the cultural diversity of humanity. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used daily by more than 290 million people. World Arabic Language Day is celebrated every year on 18 December since 2012. The date coincides with the day in 1973 that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the Organization.

In the diversity of its forms, classic or dialectal, from oral expression to poetic calligraphy, the Arabic language has given rise to a fascinating aesthetic, in fields as varied as architecture, poetry, philosophy and song. It gives access to an incredible variety of identities and beliefs and its history reveals the richness of its links with other languages. Arabic has played a catalytic role in knowledge, promoting the dissemination of Greek and Roman sciences and philosophies to Renaissance Europe. It has enabled a dialogue of cultures along the silk roads, from the coast of India to the Horn of Africa.

FORUM: Arabic Language Academies: Necessity or Luxury? World Arabic Language Day 2020.

Through a virtual meeting with academics and professionals in Arabic language, UNESCO will initiate a global discussion to examine the role and the need of language academies as a space to safeguard and preserve the Arabic language. By exploring these questions, World Arabic Language Day 2020 will provide an opportunity to reflect on and discuss how Language Academies can help revive and enhance the use of classical Arabic. The Day will also give an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the richness and global importance of the Arabic language worldwide. Technological advancements and the extensive use of global languages such as English and French has resulted in numerous changes in the use of Arabic. Increasingly, these foreign languages replace the Arabic language in both daily communication and in the academic field. In addition, Classical Arabic is being used less as more people are opting for the use of local Arabic dialectics. Due to this shift, there is a growing need to preserve Classical Arabic’s integrity by making it compliant with the demands of our changing language landscape today.

Statement from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO on Arabic Language Day 2020, 18 December.


Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi once said: “He who imbued languages with the highest qualities bequeathed to Arabic the secret of beauty”. But Arabic is not only renowned for its beauty. Arabic was the language used by some of the world’s greatest scientists and thinkers, including Ibn al-Haytham, Avicenna and Al-Kindi. With its classical forms and many dialects, it is still one of the world’s most widely spoken languages today. Arabic is a bridge between cultures and across borders – a true language of diversity. For all these reasons and more, we celebrate World Arabic Language Day every year on 18 December. However, despite its immense contribution to human civilization, the Arabic language has faced many challenges in recent decades –from the marginalization of Classical Arabic in favour of foreign languages in the academic field, to the lack of linguistic diversity in new technologies.

This year’s celebration of World Arabic Language Day comes at a critical time, as the world faces an unprecedented crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of language as an effective communication tool has proven crucial in providing access to reliable, life-saving information to tackle the disease. That is why, on this international day, UNESCO will celebrate and explore the role of Arabic language academies. Not only do these institutions preserve, enrich and enhance the Arabic language, they also help monitor its use in conveying accurate information in the context of global current events.

The very first Arabic language academy opened its doors in 1919 in Damascus, Syria. Since then, interest in unifying and strengthening the efforts of these academies has grown across the globe. These institutions could become a driving force, unleashing the full potential of the Arabic language. Indeed, languages allow us to engage dialogue and build peace. Languages are mirrors, expressing both our identity and culture. Through languages, we describe our thoughts, emotions and ideas– giving sense to our world. UNESCO is therefore committed to protecting and enhancing each and every language, as key components of cultural diversity and knowledge.

In this spirit, UNESCO invites everyone to join global discussions on the role played by these academies in shaping the future of the Arabic language.


UNESCO Director-General.

EVENTS: The Virtual Panel Discussion for the Arabic Language Day 2020 is organized in cooperation with the Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation.

1001 inventions / House of Wisdom.

Also known as the Grand Library of Baghdad, the House of Wisdom is often referred to a public academy and a learning institution. Founded in Baghdad by the the Abbassid ruler Harun al-Rashid in the late 8th century, Bayt al- Ḥikmah gained popularity under Caliph al-Ma’mun. It quickly became a main center of translations, study and transfer of knowledge. People from all over the Islamic world flocked to the House of Wisdom, speaking many languages and discussing on topics such as philosophy, literature, mathematics, medicine, astronomy and optics.

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WEBINAR: Arabic Language Academies: Necessity or Luxury?

PAST OBSERVANCES

The poster for World Arabic Language Day 2019 is an artwork of the Tunisian calligrapher Karim Jabbari which illustrates the following piece of poetry;"He who imbued languages with the highest qualities. Bequeathed to Arabic the secret of beauty" — Ahmed Chawqi

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