The Arab world has always been shrouded in mystery to many Westerners, but here we unravel the secrets of the language and culture…
The Arabic Language
The title of this section is a little misleading – there isn’t exactly one ‘Arabic Language’ which is universally spoken by every native-speaking Arab.
Instead, there are different forms of Arabic which are used depending upon the situation and location.
For instance, a native Arab family living in the UAE might speak the dialect known as ‘Gulf Arabic’ at home, but at school they are taught Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
The spoken Arabic dialect varies depending upon location and can be so different that even another native Arabic speaker might not fully understand what is being said by a speaker from another region.
With over 400 million Arabic speakers worldwide (many of whom live within the region that covers the Middle East and North Africa – MENA) the Arabic language and its many dialects can be difficult to define and classify.
However, there are a few points to note which can help when making decisions about Arabic language translation or localisation:
• Modern Standard Arabic – also known as MSA or Fusha, is the written, standardised form of the Arabic language. It is used by newspapers, in literature and in formal settings.
• Spoken Arabic – also known as Aamiyya, is the spoken form of the language which is used in day-to-day conversation. This is a colloquial version of Arabic which varies from region to region.
• Dialects – there are over 25 different dialects of colloquial Arabic. The most commonly used version is Egyptian Arabic but as there are 27 countries within the Arab Nations it is important not to make assumptions about which version of the Arabic language is best for a particular region or purpose.
• Main Arabic Regions and Dialects – Maghrebi (covers Western Arab states such as Tunisia). Sudanese (covers Sudanese regions). Egyptian (covers much of North Africa and is commonly understood). Peninsular Arabic (covers Gulf states and other nearby nations. It is the closest to classical Arabic). Mesopotamian Arabic (covers Iraq/Iran/regions). Levantine Arabic (covers the area around the Levantine Sea including Jordan and Lebanon).
• Learning Arabic – when learning Arabic, most foreign-language students are taught MSA.
• Arabic Translation and Localisation – the type of Arabic you’ll require for your translation or localisation depends upon your target audience and end use. For example, a social media marketing campaign would use a regional dialect as opposed to MSA.
Arab Culture
As with the Arabic language, there is no ‘one’ Arab culture, however, there are certain factors which are shared by many Arab nations.
For instance, most people within the Arab world adhere to Islam and many countries use Sharia law alongside their secular legal system.
The following points give an overview of Arab culture but if you require a more in-depth analysis or training, please contact us.
• Family and Kinship is vitally important to the structure of society within Arab nations.
• Islam is practised by the majority of Arab people and affects daily routines, society, law, and politics. Muslims pray 5 times a day (these are precise times) and most will closely observe religious festivals, such as Ramadan, which includes fasting during daylight hours.
• Honour, respect, and tradition are highly regarded within Arab cultures, so it is vital that visiting foreigners understand these structures if they wish to make a good impression and don’t wish to cause offence. Successful marketing for Arab nations tend to be based around these concepts and many Western concepts such as teenage angst, tend to be less prominent.
• Patriarchal societies are the norm and often business in Arab nations is dominated by men. However, some regions, such as, the UAE have become more liberal in recent years and now support gender equality which is encouraging more women into business.
• PDAs (public displays of affection) are generally frowned upon in many Arab nations and same-sex relationships are often taboo. If visiting an Arab nation, be conscious of your actions in public and be aware that in some instances PDAs are punishable by law. Within marketing campaigns, be aware of taboo topics and avoid anything which may cause offence. However, Arab people are very friendly and have less regard for personal space than their Western counterparts. This means you might, for instance, see two Arab men holding hands which shows their closeness, friendship and high regard for each other.
• Formality is expected, so if you’re meeting an Arab for the first time or conducting business with an Arab firm, be aware of hierarchical structures and respectful of others’ opinions and perspectives.
• Generosity, friendliness, and hospitality are crucial to most Arab people. Many Arab nations were originally tribal and nomadic, so travellers and guests were the norm and were treated with respect and kindness. This attitude has lingered within the subconscious of many Arab people meaning they’re very friendly and welcoming.
• Most men and women dress conservatively in Arab nations, and it is expected that foreign women cover their shoulders/arms when in public.
The Arab culture is variable depending upon the region and has been impacted by the external influences of invading nations in the past, and business and tourism in the present.
For those wishing to understand more about the Arab culture or language, our cultural awareness training offers specific insights and information about doing business in the Arab world and can make all the difference when it comes to successful marketing, promotions, and trade.
Contact the team here for more information or check out our Services page for insights into how we can help you.
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