Arabic is an old language from Arabia. It began around the 6th Century and spread through Africa and Asia. This happened because of Islamic conquests. Arabic continued to grow and adapt to new words and technology. It’s one of the oldest languages with lots of knowledge still being discovered by archaeologists.
The importance of Arabic goes back to ancient times. The Middle East has a great storytelling tradition with famous stories like Arabian Nights, Ali Baba, and Aladdin. Arabic is the official language in 26 countries and is spoken by 280 million people around the world. It’s one of the six official languages of the United Nations, along with Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Role of Arabic in Business
English to Arabic translation services plays a significant role in business. The Arabic language is significant due to the growing influence of the Middle East. It is the primary language in the majority of the Middle East countries. For international businesses aiming to enter foreign markets, Arabic has become essential. Knowing Arabic creates job opportunities in various industries, including oil, energy, travel, finance, translation, and government. Moreover, Arabic holds great importance in the international intelligence-gathering community. It helps extract information from highly valued targets and individuals.
Arabic Speaking Countries in the World
Let’s dive into the list of Arabic countries in the world.
Saudi Arabia
Arabic is the official language in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. The country has a diverse population of over 33 million, with various regional dialects. Each state has its unique slang that might not be fully understood by others.
Many Saudis use Classic Arabic or Fus-ha, which is the foundation of the language and is used for worship since the Holy Quran is written in it. However, Fus-ha is more common in writing than speaking and is mostly taught in higher education.
To make everyday conversations easier, Saudis use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). MSA is important in written media and understood beyond Saudi borders. It’s taught as a second language in schools, uniting different Arabic dialects in the kingdom.
To your surprise, 85% of Saudi people can also communicate in English. This is because many Saudi students are studying abroad and they come back with English proficiency. Therefore, if you are on your visit to Saudi Arabia then you don’t have to go for English translation services.
Algeria
In 1963, Algeria’s constitution made Arabic its official language, which was later confirmed in 1976. 73 percent of Algerians speak Algerian Arabic, which developed from various dialects spoken in the north.
Algerian Arabic is a mix of languages spoken by different genetic groups: Hilalian and pre-Hilalian languages. It is mostly used for everyday communication, while Modern Standard Arabic is used for formal purposes. Algeria recognizes both modern standard Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) as official languages.
The majority of Algerians use Algerian Arabic for daily conversations and entertainment. It is influenced by Berber, French, and Turkish and has a simpler syllable structure than standard Arabic. The native Berbers in Algeria speak Algerian Berber.
The people of Algeria also speak English. It is the second language after French which is taught in Algerian schools. If parents face problems in teaching English to their children then they can take assistance from English translation services.
Egypt
Egypt is an Arabic-speaking country connecting Northeast Africa and Southeast Asia. It’s officially known as the Arab Republic of Egypt and has the highest population in the Arab world and North Africa with 95 million people. The official language in Egypt is Modern Standard Arabic, understood by all Arab learners.
In Egypt, there are several spoken languages derived from written Arabic, and they get more complex towards the country’s borders. Some of these versions may not be fully recognized by all Egyptian Arabic speakers unless simplified.
Besides, Egypt has various spoken languages, and most Egyptians speak one of these different varieties. Like other Arab nations, the spoken language differs significantly from the literary language.
English is also widely spoken in Egypt because it was a British colony around 70 years ago. It is taught in Egyptian schools, and many tourist centers have guides who can speak English fluently. Therefore, if you are visiting Egypt, you don’t need to go for English translation services. Alongside English, French was also taught in Egyptian schools due to French influence in the country.
Iraq
Arabic is the most commonly spoken language in Iraq due to Islam’s long dominance. Throughout Iraq’s history, Arabic has been the prevailing language because of Islam’s influence. The majority of Iraqis use Mesopotamian Arabic for communication. Arabic remains the most frequently spoken language in Iraq.
Kurdish is another official language of Iraq, but in bigger cities like Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, many people understand and speak English. If you plan to visit Iraq and don’t know Arabic or Kurdish, there’s no need to worry. Kurds will try to communicate with you in a language you understand, such as English.
In the main cities, English is widely spoken, and you’ll receive great hospitality services. However, outside the main cities, it may be more challenging to find English speakers.
Conclusion
Arabic holds more significance because it is the language associated with Islam. The holy testament of Muslims is in the Arabic language. The people who want to understand the religion of Islam in its true essence often take assistance from English to Arabic translation services.