Arabic Language Day

On World Arabic Language Day, it’s the perfect moment to start learning one of the most ancient languages of the Middle East. If you’ve been postponing your dream, now is the time to join people worldwide in celebrating this day. You might be surprised—learning Arabic is easier than you think!

History

Arabic is often called a treasure of world civilization. There are about 350 million Arabic speakers globally, and its impact on European culture is significant. The Holy Quran and many ancient scientific texts are written in Arabic. Today, Arabic is the official language of 24 countries and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

The Arabic writing system traces its roots to the Nabataean script, developed by people living on the Sinai Peninsula around 500 BC. The Nabataeans adapted the Aramaic script, which eventually evolved into Arabic. In the 7th century, the language gained special significance with the writing of the Quran.

Experts say that learning Arabic can be straightforward, especially if you focus on hearing and pronouncing the sounds correctly. One helpful aspect is that Arabic writing closely matches its sounds, making it easier for beginners to write new words after listening to them.

Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Arabic language:

• Arabic is written from right to left, except for numbers, which are written left to right.
• There are five main groups of dialects, with Egyptian Arabic being the most widely recognized.
• Arabic contains very few borrowed English words.
• Words are not usually wrapped to the next line—they are stretched to the end of the sentence instead.

How to Take Part

Start a new hobby on World Arabic Language Day! Reach out to a language tutor or begin studying on your own. Tell your friends about your goal—you may even find others to join you. Even if you don’t want to study deeply, learning a few words in Arabic is a wonderful way to celebrate.

When is World Arabic Language Day in 2025?

World Arabic Language Day is observed on December 18 each year.

Observations