English is much in vogue nowadays, particularly since many employers consider the language a must when recruiting staff. The trend is such that many people are seen substituting common Arabic greetings, such as Assalam alaykum, with hellos and good mornings. However, many, particularly traditionalists, view the trend negatively, saying it is a threat to the Arabic language and the Kingdom’s Arab identity.
“My family often criticizes me for talking English and demand I speak Arabic since we are in Saudi Arabia,” said Dina Jamil, a 21-year-old university student who speaks English all the time with her friends.
Jamil speaks English in spite of criticism for not speaking Arabic because she wants to improve fluency in the language. “Many of my friends who work tell me that speaking English at work is an indication that the person is a professional and that is why I want to be fluent in it,” she said.
Maha Muhammad, a private company employee, speaks fluent English but only uses it when communicating with non-Arabic speakers. She also criticizes those who speak English when their primary language is Arabic.
“When a Saudi or Arab colleague speaks to me in English, I feel disgusted. I find these people insecure or showoffs. I still do not understand why we need to speak in English when we can communicate in Arabic, the language of the Qur’an,” she said, adding that she uses English with non-Arabic speakers.
“I criticize those who say speaking English will make a person more professional. What makes a person more professional is their work and not their language,” she added.
Moa’az is a 26-year-old bank employee and, like many Saudis, graduated from a university abroad. He believes English is a useful medium and the only language that allows him to connect to the rest of the world.
“I do not find it insulting to the Arabic language if I communicate with my Saudi friends in English in public. Those who see it as a problem need to check their heads. They are over sensitive about this issue. English is the world’s main language and the Kingdom’s second language. Most big companies in the Kingdom use English as a means of communication,” he said, adding that he watches English movies but when at home communicates in Arabic.
Nihal, a Saudi customer services agent for a local company in Jeddah, speaks English with clients. “When I started work, my manager told me that as a customer service employee I had to communicate with my clients in English. He told me that speaking in English gives the company a professional look,” she said, adding that speaking English outside the office with friends is a lifestyle choice.
“I never knew that speaking in English is important but I found it is really effective when communicating with clients. I do not see it as a problem as long as it helps my work. My friends and I sometimes speak in English and I think it is a matter of lifestyle,” she said.
Aziza Al-Sulamy, an Arabic language teacher at a private Jeddah school, is concerned at what will ultimately happen to the Arabic language. “Ignoring Arabic will weaken it in the future. Students are already very weak when it comes to writing Arabic. I notice a lot of spelling mistakes at high school and university levels,” she said.
“It’s easy to find spelling mistakes in advertisements and improper sentences. This is because people ignore the language. The problem also lies in the fact that many signboards in Arabic are transliterations of English terms and names,” she added.
