The Arabic Language slowly dying out in Lebanon
Op-Ed by Dina Richani, Staff Writer and Ramsey Marrouche, Contributor
December 18th, 2020
An issue involving the possession of a national identity to the individual has acquired a linguistic perspective in recent years. Egyptian nationalist Tawfiq ‘Awwan notes in a 1929 article: “Egypt has an Egyptian language; Lebanon has a Lebanese language; the Hijaz has a Hijazi language; and so forth - and all of these languages are by no means Arabic languages. Each of our countries has a language, which is its own possession” (Franck Salameh 161). Modern-day Lebanon is witnessing major socio-political changes contributing towards the development of a complex Lebanese state—one which entices locals to question their identity. In accordance with ‘Awwan, many of today’s Lebanese citizens are facing an identity crisis with language consisting of a major part their conundrum. The languages currently spoken in Lebanon are Levantine Arabic and officially Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Lebanese migrants and their descendants who emigrated from the country, by choice or by compulsion, and now live abroad are known as the diaspora who play a vital role in evaluating the change in the Arabic language for several reasons which will be discussed further later Another term to discuss is diglossia, which is defined as a situation in which a society utilises more than one language in speech while recognising the differences between these languages (Owens 423). The use of the Arabic language in modern-day Lebanese society is slowly diminishing due to the Lebanese diaspora, internal differences, and foreign influences.
Discussing (generally) older languages and their effects on Lebanese history, such as Phoenician, Greek, Latin, and Aramaic, is essential in order to understand the path Arabic is taking within the country. The preliminary point in Lebanon’s linguistic evolution begins on the Phoenician coast during the Iron Age (1200 BC - 500 BC), at a time when the inhabitants of the modern Lebanese coast developed a linear alphabet, attested by the inscriptions carved mainly on sarcophagi (Ahiram of Byblos and Eshmunazar II of Sidon, for example). The Hellenization of the Levant during the 4th century BC brought a change to the languages of the area through the integration of Greek with the local language, followed by a similar phenomenon occurring during the Roman period with the geopolitical addition of Phoenicia, and the introduction of Latin into the region. It should also be noted that Aramaic was still spoken during this time. At this point, the inhabitants of the Levant were still speaking Greek and would continue to do so throughout the Byzantine period; however, this would change during the Islamic conquests of the 7th century, when the language shifted to Arabic.
The “Lebanese Question” currently revolves around what defines a person as Lebanese. Some believe that is determined by either heritage, politics, or even language; however, there is not one definitive answer. The complexity of the country, which is formed of its geography, diversity, and rich history, can be discussed through the study of language and communication within the country. The purpose of this study does not only deal with the degree to which the Arabic language is diminishing, but also how it is diminishing. Language is the exhibition and communication of culture and values; therefore, studying the evolution of a language, be it improving or diminishing, allows us to understand how a culture is changing, what factors are affecting this change, and what will become of the culture whose language is changing. The outcomes of this study will provide answers to issues concerning the future of the Lebanese identity and the fate of the languages spoken in the country by analysing how the use of the Arabic language in modern-day Lebanese society is slowly diminishing due to the Lebanese diaspora, foreign influences, and internal differences.
In “Arabic Sociolinguistics”, Jonathan Owens discusses the study of the Arabic language in relation to social factors such as linguistic traditions, code-switching, secondary language possession. Moreover, the author implies how diglossia, the practice of the same language in two forms affects the primary language. In “Multilingual educational trends and practices in Lebanon: A case study” Bahous, Bacha, and Nabhani study how multilingualism in Lebanon is affecting the modern populace, especially the youth, and discuss how Arabic is diminishing as a result of increased education in foreign languages.
Both, Owens and Bahous present studies related to the integration of two or more languages within an Arab society. Their articles show how multilingualism within Arab nations may be leading to a depreciation of the Arabic language in these regions. Bahous’ article argues for benefits of acquiring a second language furthermore elaborating on the bonus of being multilingual, which goes against the essence of Owen’s article that revolves around the topic of Arabic Linguistics and its depreciation of use. Owen’s article is more persuasive since, in a country like Lebanon, citizens are getting more affected by the drift from the Arabic language that it is very drastic and effective towards the core Arabic language. Bahous focusses on how Arabic and foreign languages are being taught throughout Lebanon, and the repercussions this is having on the current generation. This was done by interviewing a variety of teachers from different schools, and interpreting their opinions on the reformed education decrees concerning learning foreign languages. Most of these opinions expressed feelings towards continuing the education of the Arabic language, but maintaining some degree of multilingualism. Owen’s article parallels to our topic in several aspects in which it concludes how Arabic is drifting from the traditional manner. Bahous’ study indicates an increase in foreign languages, also concluding that use of Arabic is declining.
Initially, the use of the Arabic language is declining because of Lebanese diaspora. An immense fraction of the Lebanese population is living overseas and does not practice speaking Arabic. The most concentrated areas of the Lebanese people abroad are found in Brazil, West Africa, the United States, Canada, and other Latin American countries. However, despite the varying statistics, the diaspora is estimated to be almost double than the internal population. Over the past century, host nations influenced the homelands socially, causing several alterations. Taking into consideration that the Lebanese culture values family significantly, a solid relationship is always present between the diaspora and the motherland. Hence, many families have at least a parent, relative, sibling or cousin residing in a foreign country. Therefore, the connections between the Lebanese occupants and residents alter families to adjust to the ones living abroad. Likewise, many Lebanese children who inherited foreign passports from family in the diaspora are taking advantage of their foreign nationality, resulting in their exemption from taking the Lebanese official exams. Most classes taught in schools are already presented in English or French and only little attention in time is given to the Arabic language class.
Having only few classes of Arabic compared to other lessons is already negatively affecting the use of the language thereby excluding the language further. Therefore, the Lebanese diaspora has drastically affected the use of the Arabic language in Lebanese communication in which these emigrants have not completely preserved their language affecting it on a local scale. In conclusion, Lebanese diaspora has set the usage of the Arabic language back.
Internal differences have created conflicts between various subcultures amongst the Lebanese people, affecting the way Arabic is spoken. In particular, the Civil War (1975-90) dramatically changed the internal demographic, isolating some groups of people, and displacing others at cultural and religious levels. As a result, this affected the colloquial tongue of these subcultures, creating a slight barrier of miscommunication amongst the Lebanese. For example, the end result of the Civil War created “divides” between the South, North, Beqaa, and Lebanese Mountains, which were already populated by specific religious/ethnic groups. However, the war’s “conclusion” enhanced this segregation, further embedding these peoples in the areas they were living in, while expelling a large part of the population simultaneously (Traboulsi 244). Clearly, this fragile part of Lebanon’s history affects modern-day Lebanese citizens, as the evident differences in slang and communication may indicate where a person is from in the country and what religion they may belong to.
As a mainly sectarian country, this may create a culture shock between people who live in cosmopolitan areas, such as Beirut, and lead to a mixture of various forms of the colloquial language, combined with the slightly Westernised slang of the capital; thus, creating an all new form of the language, distant from that of MSA. As a result, this newer slang, different from that of the local dialects outside the capital and coastal districts, eradicates some cultural differences between citizens (especially the youth) where certain aspects of written Arabic are changed (pronunciation, syntax, vocabulary) varying from its standard form, thereby “diminishing” its use. These internal changes are further enhanced by external phenomena, which resided in Lebanon during the 20th century.
Foreign influences significantly impact the issue of the declining Arabic language in Lebanon. To begin with, Lebanon has been exposed to an influx of cultures throughout the years consisting of the Turks, Armenians, French and Palestinians. For instance, the French occupation in the 1920s and 1930s led to foreigners coming to Lebanon for business and/or leisure, which adjusted the need for French and English. Hence, the combination of these two languages immensely affected the progression of the Lebanese dialect. Moreover, the French mandate officially appointed Arabic as the sole language in the Republic of Lebanon, while legislating an exceptional law which allows the public use of French. Inaddition, the role of technology is very impressive for it is always presented in English and rarely in Arabic. Everyone is interacting with technology in one-way or another.
The use of social media is a key example in this instance. Major social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are accessible mainly in English. Even operating systems of electronic devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, initially include an English User Interface before providing the user with the option to select another language. Furthermore, these digital forms are English-language based, originating mainly in the United States (Apple, Android, Microsoft). Technological development and understanding through education is also a key feature in the younger Lebanese generation. The education system in Lebanon contains various programs that are teaching the youth languages other than Arabic. Many schools in Lebanon run English or French programs alongside the Lebanese program, which covers material in either the French or English language (except for certain subjects such as the Arabic language, civics, geography and Lebanese History). The exposure to these foreign languages promotes the linguistic separation of Arabic from the students, as most of the curriculum is taught in English or French (Bahous 745).
This is coupled with the notion that some schools exempt students from taking Arabic courses in their final years, and in some cases provide options between Arabic, French, or Spanish (as is the case with the International Baccalaureate). For those who do study Arabic, their skill and knowledge have decreased, again, due to the major inclusion of foreign languages into the learning process.
Some argue that the Arabic language is not diminishing in Lebanon; in fact, it is acquiring a stronger presence. Initially, the rise of Pan-Arabism in the mid-1900s developed a stronger pride in being an “Arab,” which further integrated the Arabic language in society. This enhanced educational systems, which improved the way Arabic is taught in schools, thus, strengthening the language in newer generations. Those in favor of the forte of the Arabic language maintain several institutes that teach Arabic worldwide. Arabic in religion is one of the main pillars of reservation. Churches or mosques globally give Arabic classes regularly teaching kids from a young age. According to Michael G. Clyne and Sandra Kipp, “the church runs a Saturday school for language teaching, and as from 1998, a Maronite order of nuns has conducted a primary day school within the Catholic education system, where Arabic is taught for one hour per day.” (Clyne 154) Tosummarize, first-language Arabic speakers, may insist on strengthening the use and education of Arabic within the country. Indeed, improving Arabic speech may provide more “closeness” with other Arab countries.
Although the educational systems developed the approach Arabic is educated in schools still Arabic isn’t being primarily used. This goes to show that since Lebanon has a lot of private schools with proper and efficient foreign language programs, most students are bilingual or trilingual. Moreover, since a huge population of the Lebanese community is Muslim, and the Quraan is presented in Arabic, lots of people are buying the translated version in order to understand more. Finally, the rise of technology (mainly utilized in English), the apparent ease with which most people speak English and French as opposed to Arabic, and mainly, the large difference between the colloquial tongues and the MSA, will prevent an increase of the use of Arabic in the near to distant Lebanese future.
Researching to what extent and how the Arabic language is diminishing in Lebanon is roughly limited and restricted. Not many people are tackling this issue or considering it. Furthermore, since assessment is on a local scale, studies aren’t very accessible and plentiful. This paper’s aim is to bring attention to Lebanese citizens about the identity crisis they are experiencing through neglecting their language. Also, it highly encourages to influence Lebanese citizens to preserve their language.
In conclusion, the use of the Arabic language is falling into a slow decline, due to population dispersion, internal changes, and foreign influences. The diminishment of the language is subtle, and major changes may not be seen within the next decade. However, the effects on Lebanese society will be visible. The importance of these effects will reflect the political and social status of Lebanon in the coming years, as the “East-West” question continues to be answered. This study was done in order to determine the fate of the Arabic language in Lebanese society, with a purpose to understand how a language is likely to diminish or “fade” out of a culture. The implication emerging from this study shows a transformation of a language into another, either through using it less or merging it with other languages.
Psychologically, bringing these factors to the reader's attention would lead them to notice the change and it is bringing to the Lebanese culture. Hence, they will be more determined to preserve speaking Arabic and avoiding other languages. In Syria, Lebanon’s neighboring country, MSA is mandatory and known by all citizens. Hence politics and government play a vital role in which sociologically Lebanon’s longing to be related the West has caused Lebanon an identity disaster. Furthermore, the change of a language is a natural phenomena and cannot be forced.
The fact remains that there is a gradual integration of Western languages into the Lebanese society, and attempting to stop this integration can result in the cultural oppression of the modern-day Lebanese citizen. However, it should be re-stated that language is of choice to the individual, and predicting how the Lebanese would speak within the next ten to fifty years is difficult to predict. Finally, language is one of humankind’s greatest assets. Understanding how language evolves within certain societies creates a deeper meaning into the field of linguistics and also shows the direction which a society/civilization is headed towards.
References
Salameh, Franck. Language, Memory, and Identity in the Middle East: The Case for Lebanon.
Plymouth, UK: Lexington Books, 2010. Print.
Traboulsi, Fawwaz. A History of Modern Lebanon. 2nd ed. New York: Pluto Press, 2012. Print.
Clyne, Michael, and Sandra Kipp. Pluricentric Languages in an Immigrant Context: Spanish, Arabic and Chinese. Mouton de Gruyter, 1999. Google Book Search.
Bahous, Rima, Nahla Nola Bacha and Mona Nabhani. “Multilingual Educational Trends and Practices in Lebanon: A Case Study.” International Review of Education 57.5 (2011): 737-749. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41480154.
Bailony, Reem. “Interlopers of Empire: The Lebanese Diaspora in Colonial French West Africa.” Rev. of Interlopers of Empire: The Lebanese Diaspora in Colonial French West Africa, by Andrew Arsan. Oxford University Press 2014.
Owens, Jonathan. “Arabic Sociolinguistics.” Arabica 48.4 (2001): 419-469.