UAE Residents' Arabic Fluency Grows Amid English Dominance

Email:online@newsofbahrain.com

ABU DHABI: A new study reveals that while English remains the primary language for professional and daily life in the UAE, residents are demonstrating a growing proficiency in Arabic. This shift is attributed to government-led initiatives aimed at preserving national identity and the increasing integration of expatriates into local culture.

Despite the dominance of English in the private sector and digital spaces, 76% of respondents reported an improved ability to understand or speak basic Arabic compared to five years ago. Educators suggest that the mandatory inclusion of Arabic in school curricula and the rise of "Arabic-first" government services are successfully bridging the linguistic gap.

However, English continues to be the lingua franca for the UAE's diverse population, which represents over 200 nationalities. The study emphasizes that the country is evolving into a truly bilingual society, where English facilitates global commerce while Arabic remains the essential pillar of social cohesion and cultural heritage. Authorities continue to encourage this dual-fluency to strengthen the nation's unique multicultural fabric.