International Days
Arabic Language Day
December 18th 2024
Arabic is a globally significant language with over 450 million speakers and recognized as an official language in around 25 countries. However, only 3% of the content available on the internet is in Arabic, which limits access to knowledge and opportunities for millions of people. To address this challenge, UNESCO is organizing a special event that brings together elite scientists, artificial intelligence experts, and cultural pioneers.
The aim is to explore innovative ways to bridge the digital divide using AI, enhance the presence of the Arabic language online, support innovation, and promote the preservation of cultural heritage.
This year’s event will feature opening speeches by distinguished speakers, followed by sessions focusing on key topics such as advancements in Arabic AI, cultural and linguistic preservation, and digital empowerment. The event will conclude with a captivating light show performance, celebrating the fusion of tradition and innovation.
Overview
Arabic is one of the cornerstones of humanity's cultural diversity. As one of the most widely spoken and used languages globally, it is part of the daily lives of over 400 million people around the world. Arabic is spoken across the Arab region and neighboring areas, including Turkey, Chad, Mali, Senegal, and Eritrea. Its significance extends beyond geography, as it is the sacred language of Islam, the language of the Quran, and integral to Islamic prayers and rituals. Arabic also holds importance for certain Christian churches in the Arab world and was the medium for many significant Jewish religious and intellectual works during the Middle Ages.
This language embodies diversity, offering a rich tapestry of dialects, written and spoken forms, and artistic expressions in prose and poetry. For centuries, Arabic was a dominant language in politics, science, and literature, influencing numerous other languages, such as Turkish, Persian, Urdu, and even European languages like Spanish, Portuguese, and Sicilian. Arabic played a pivotal role in preserving and transmitting Greek and Roman scientific and philosophical knowledge to Europe during the Renaissance. It also facilitated cultural exchange along the Silk Road, connecting India to the Horn of Africa.
To promote multilingualism and cultural diversity, the UN designated December 18 as Arabic Language Day, marking the date in 1973 when Arabic became one of its official working languages. This day celebrates Arabic's rich history and contributions through various cultural and educational programs.
Facts about Arabic language
- The total number of words in the Arabic language varies depending on the source, but it is estimated to be anywhere between 90 and 500 million words.
- Ya’rab is widely regarded as the Father of the Arabic language.
- Arabic is only written in cursive: letters always connect to each other in both written and typed Arabic. There is no "print" type.
- Arabic has no contractions.
- There are no capital letters: quotation marks are used to create emphasis instead.
- Arabic has hundreds of words for "camel", these include a word that means "a camel frightened of anything" and "a female camel that walks ahead of other camels."
- Arabic is one of the world’s oldest languages: it has been around for more than a millennium and continues to gain new speakers. In addition to native speakers, more than a billion people worldwide learn Arabic to study the Qur’an.
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/
Source: https://www.un.org/
