Olivia Suthers | Middle East Fellow
Image sourced from Paradigm Visuals via Flickr.
For the Middle East, preserving its rich linguistic diversity is a critical challenge while navigating globalisation. Arabic, spoken by over 420 million people, is a shared thread transcending physical and cultural borders. It is recognised for its deep cultural significance across the Middle East, including in the non-Arab states of Turkey and Iran. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) coexists with over 30 local dialects and minority languages like Kurdish and Berber. However, they face increasing marginalisation as globalised languages like English and French dominate education, business, and technology. Without cohesive regional strategies to protect local languages and dialects that address the pressures of globalisation, the region risks eroding its rich linguistic heritage — an essential foundation for cultural identity and social cohesion.
Globalisation’s Cultural Trade-offs
The consequences of globalisation for linguistic diversity in the Middle East are staggering. Arabic and other regional languages are often sidelined in favour of English and French in international business, tourism, and social media. English is widely used by premium brands and global corporations throughout the Gulf. In the digital verse, English accounts for over half of all web content. While this facilitates global integration, it alienates local communities who may not speak foreign languages, decreasing their visibility and widening socioeconomic disparities.
Moreover, intergenerational transmission is at risk where younger generations increasingly associate English with modernity and progress, while linking Arabic to tradition and stagnation. As linguist scholar Mona Baker argues, the erosion of Arabic is a symptom of a “broader crisis of cultural confidence.” Addressing this crisis requires a re-examination of how society perceives regional languages and their cultural significance. Without deliberate efforts to digitize Arabic languages and create accessible online content, technology risks widening linguistic gaps instead of bridging them.
The Erosion of Arabic and Regional Dialects
The Middle East's educational sector is increasingly dominated by globalized languages – particularly that of English. In many Gulf states, universities are adopting English as the primary language of instruction to “increase global employability”. Studies show that over 77 per cent of 567 Qatari nationals at the University of Qatar require English to varying degrees, exceeding the 50 per cent threshold. In contrast, The University of Sharjah fosters a more multicultural environment with a diverse student body, offering programs in English to support this approach. However, this trend sidelines MSA and local dialects, potentially leaving students fluent in English but “disconnected from formal Arabic” which remains essential in academic and professional contexts.
Even more concerning is the marginalization of regional Arabic dialects. These spoken forms, rich in cultural nuances and oral histories, are rarely recorded or taught in schools. As younger generations grow up fluent in English or MSA, they may lose touch with the dialects that represent their local traditions. This disconnect erodes the cultural fabric and identities embedded in these linguistic forms.
The Plight of Minority Languages
Minority languages in the Middle East face greater challenges. More than 30 million people speak Kurdish across Iran, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq, yet it often lacks official recognition and institutional support. Kurdish language instruction is only available in a few cities across Turkey and the lack of trained teachers exacerbates the issue. Fear of state repression also discourages parents from teaching Kurdish to their children.
In Morocco, there has been some progress in integrating Berber into school curriculums for language promotion. However, these initiatives frequently have restricted reach, failing to extend to rural populations where Berber dialects are the most common. Without sustained institutional backing, such initiatives risk becoming cosmetic. By extending efforts to include media content, educational programs, and cultural exchanges, it may be possible to increase urban populations' and younger generations' awareness and appreciation of Berber, encouraging wider society’s acceptance of the language.
A Path Forward
Reversing the linguistic diversity crisis in the Middle East requires a cohesive and multi-faceted approach. Governments must make language preservation a priority, integrating it into broader cultural and educational frameworks to ensure future generations remain connected to their linguistic heritage, while equipping students with the skills required to thrive in a globalised world. Education, when inclusive of linguistic diversity, fosters a deeper appreciation of heritage while enabling social cohesion.
The rise of digital technology offers both opportunities and challenges for preserving linguistic diversity. Speakers of minority languages can connect globally through social media and translation tools, creating avenues for cross-cultural interaction. Localised apps and initiatives like iFLYTRANS can help regional dialects thrive digitally, fostering cultural pride. Regional cooperation is equally essential, where regional institutions like the Arab League can coordinate efforts, providing shared resources and funding for language preservation. Adopting a unified strategy, modelled on the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, could strengthen ties among Middle Eastern nations and make language preservation “a collective priority” in the face of global challenges.
Conclusion
Preserving linguistic diversity in the Middle East is essential for cultural continuity and social cohesion and is a crucial step toward fostering social cohesion in a globalised world. While challenges remain, they are not insurmountable. By adopting a multi-pronged approach that integrates modernisation with preservation, regional populations can safeguard linguistic heritage for future generations. As UNESCO’s Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) reminds us, “each language is a unique world of thought,” and protecting these worlds enriches humanity as a whole.
Olivia Suthers is the Middle East Fellow for Young Australians in International Affairs.