Language is a Homeland

Certain figures pass through human life, transcending the boundaries of time, shaping within us a vision of life and instilling values that endure as long as we live. Among them was Professor of Literature Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Khatib, may God have mercy on him, under whose tutelage I studied at the College of Basic Education, Department of Arabic Language. He instilled in us the belief that “Arabic” is not merely a school subject, but a homeland that resides in the human soul before it resides in it. He often repeated the saying of Al-Rafi’i, the “Sheikh of Arabic”: “A people’s language is humiliated only when the people themselves are humiliated; it declines only when their fate is one of retreat and decline.” The prestige of languages is a measure of the elevation of societies; it is one of the laws of history and civilization. Language has a profound philosophy in shaping our minds, nurturing our consciences, and defining our identity. At its core, language is the mirror that reflects the movement of the soul, and the bridge that connects the present with the past, linking the living with the greats who preceded them. Whoever neglects their language loses not only a means of expression, but also a part of their memory, leaving their identity prey to the winds of dependency, alienation, or emptiness. Thus, it was no coincidence that the first target of colonizers seeking dominance over subjugated peoples was to weaken or distort their language, systematically diminishing its status. Enemies understand that the occupation of land may one day end, but if minds are occupied, tongues are changed, and ties with heritage are severed, defeat becomes deeper than what can be measured by geographical boundaries. Ironically, the study of the Arabic language has, in some government educational institutions, come to be classified under rare specialties, meaning there is even a financial incentive to encourage students! It is wonderful that our sons and daughters learn more than one language, as other languages expand their horizons and open new vistas, especially in understanding other cultures. However, mastering “English” should not come at the expense of “Arabic”; just as we encourage our children to speak “English,” we must equally encourage them to speak their mother tongue, take pride in it, and enjoy its masterpieces. Acquiring multiple languages enriches the mind. When children turn away from the Quranic language and the language of civilization that illuminated the world for centuries, by what tongue will they read their heritage? With what awareness will they carry their message? And what will be the spring of their hearts? The dignity of the Arabic language returns to prominence when Modern Standard Arabic becomes the language of life, sciences, media, theater, refined music, and family, before it is merely the language of school and university exams. The American historian of indigenous origin, Richard Mortel, described “Arabic as the best of all languages, and I do not accept debate on this matter,” because it accommodated the words of the Holy Quran, and by extension, all other human creations. The Prince of Poets, Ahmad Shawqi, said: “Preserve a language that deserves preservation... For the best manifestation of nations is eloquence.” The dialect does not disrupt Modern Standard Arabic; the situation accommodates this duality, and may even indicate the beauty of diversity. Yet, from the Gulf to the Ocean, we need to employ our Modern Standard Arabic more extensively in all fields, for Modern Standard is the root, and the dialect is the branch. I am deeply amazed and enthusiastic when I see clips of Arab sports commentators skillfully describing rare football moments with eloquent, vivid phrases that appeal to emotion and touch the depths of the mind and soul, enhancing beauty with beauty. From this arises a recurring question: How do we serve our beautiful language in a way that aligns with our era? Predecessors have left behind, across the centuries, a high-level poetic and prose legacy, pulsating with wisdom, overflowing with beauty, and cultivating taste. Much of it has found its way to the stage of theater and the world of music. In our childhood, and to this day, we find in the melodies and lyrics of Umm Kulthum, Talal Maddah, Abdel Halim Hafez, Nazem Al-Ghazali, Fairuz, and others, poems we memorize and repeat, listening to them without boredom; our memories are the source of our joy in solitude, and they have colored our culture. We look forward to greater attention to the Arabic language, and to harnessing the dazzling modern media and technologies to disseminate our beautiful language, by presenting it to generations in refined artistic forms that keep pace with the times, facilitate the flow of sciences, and keep it away from stagnation or complexity. Dr. Latifa Al-Kandari