Saudi Arabia’s civilizational, historical and cultural responsibility has made it the guardian of the Arabic language and at the fore of its supporters.
This was reflected in the Kingdom’s name and governance statute, in all its regulations and laws, and in the many institutions that work to promote the Arabic language at the different educational, academic and practical levels.
This responsibility is based on the conviction that the Arabic language is an essential element in the Arab and Islamic cultures, and a bridge that extended to the humanity over the past centuries knowledge and arts. It is an inclusive language for many races and cultures. Its unique letters are used in many languages, which made it a shining inspiration to the world… Saudis are hence honored to carry its banner and defend it.
The world celebrates today the International Day of the Arabic Language, after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) set it on the 18th of December (the same day that the United Nations General Assembly adopted “Arabic” as an official language – as part of the Six Languages - at FAO in 1973).
This annual celebration comes at a time when the Arabic language is facing increasing challenges, with the rise of modern means of communication, the huge flow of information, and the influence of other languages on global communication and fields of science and research. This makes most languages in a defensive position and in search of a balance to keep pace with the progress of humanity, while preserving culture and identity.
Today, after the establishment of the International Academy for the Arabic Language, which bears the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz - may God support him - in appreciation of his efforts in promoting and enabling Arabic, my country affirms its determination to continue its service to our eternal language. This is an urgent strategic necessity, for Arabic to continue to be a cultural bridge between the continents and to maintain its contribution to the enrichment of knowledge, science and human civilization.
I promise, with my colleagues at the King Salman International Academy for Arabic Language, and with the rest of our partners in the relevant fields, that we assume responsibility to advance Arabic, starting with the fields of “planning and language policy” and ending with direct programs that contribute to promoting its position and culture. We also work to support Arabic as an important means of acquiring and developing science and knowledge and exchanging culture.
Together with my colleagues and partners, we are aware of all the major factors that have posed in the past decades great challenges to our language in the Arab world, some of which are - I believe - the limited linguistic development, the ineffectiveness of language policies, and the decline of the economic benefit of the language.
However, the linguistic and educational institutions are able to overcome these challenges with hard work and empowerment, and to look ahead while benefiting from our rich heritage.
It is unacceptable for Arabic content on the Internet and linguistic development in the scientific and modern context to be so limited. Our language possesses all the ingredients for success and permanence thanks to communication, economy, geography, knowledge and media in our region, and before that, the cultural and historical heritage.
Specialists and those working in the service of the Arabic language will have much work to do to modernize its uses in a rapidly developing era. Our Arab countries will also have greater responsibilities towards it in the future.
My colleagues and I will work in the Academy with the awareness that the language represents an authentic expression of the identity and culture of nations. The Academy will be a global reference for the Arabic language and its applications, and for the promotion of our national identity through Arabic, with the implementation of long-term plans.
We will extend our hands to all efforts aimed at achieving this goal. We have a lot to accomplish in cooperation with all Arab efforts, interested parties, and specialists. There is a great responsibility and huge aspirations.
As the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz said: “The Noble Quran was revealed in the language of the Arabs, and this is an honor and responsibility for them.”
