Proficiency in classical Arabic and the most important challenges facing the language

The Classical Arabic language is one of the most important languages in the world as it is the language of the Holy Qur’an. In addition, it constitutes a fundamental axis in building our nation, and it also constitutes an important factor in building the identity of peoples. Therefore, it is very important to reach proficiency in Classical Arabic language, which is the language of the Holy Qur’an, and work to know the challenges that face it. how to confront these challenges using the means available at our disposal                                                                                                                                       

 How to proficiency in classical Arabic

The first step for proficiency in classical Arabic language is to study its grammatical rules as well as its orthographic rules. After that, the learner must pay attention to books on rhetoric, after that he must study philology, and the learner must intensify his efforts in practicing the language, speaking and writing in Classical Arabic, and he must also He tries as much as possible to avoid speaking colloquially, and one of the most important things that develops the learner’s talent for proficiency in classical Arabic language is memorizing the Holy Qur’an and paying attention to reading and studying the Sunnah, which helps in strengthening the learner’s language in terms of pronunciation as well as writing. 

After that, the learner must also read books of poetry and prose. After mastering the classical Arabic language, it is an easy and impossible task. Therefore, there are many ways through which one can proficiency in classical Arabic language and facilitate the process of mastering it, including:          

  • Learn a new word daily 

Must learn at least one word of the Classical Arabic language daily, in order to make it easier to master the Classical Arabic language quickly, and after learning a new word of the Classical Arabic language, it will be used directly in daily life. 

When conducting a study to determine the difficulty of learning a word daily, most people thought that this study was easy to implement but required a little effort, and to avoid feeling this fatigue or effort, to achieve this goal, it should be set as a challenge that must be implemented and an effort must be made until this challenge is implemented and the best result is reached. Therefore, learning a new word daily is an important matter in achieving Proficiency in classical Arabic language.                                                                 

  • Reading daily

 Reading continuously and daily is one of the most important ways to develop and improve the Arabic language and general culture, as well as Proficiency in classical Arabic language. It is necessary to read daily for no less than half an hour, because reading is one of the very important things for a person to become eloquent, as through reading on a daily basis, a person improves his skills in reading, pronunciation, and writing and trains his memory on a daily basis, so he must read topics that he enjoys. It does not cause a person to be bored if he regularly reads it, such as sports magazines, fashion and beauty magazines, and novels. It is very important to diversify what is read, as knowledge expands through reading different types of reliable books and texts, which is important for achieving Proficiency in classical Arabic.                                                                                  

  • Writing daily

 Writing continuously and daily is one of the most important ways to develop and improve the Arabic language and general culture, as well as Proficiency in classical Arabic. It is very important to write a piece of literature every day, such as a poem, short story, novel, or anything else, because this method is one of the ways that improves a person’s skills in writing and narration, in addition to that it works to develop the person’s classical Arabic terminology, which is an important matter for achieving. To proficiency in classical Arabic.                                                                                 

  • Listening to lectures, seminars and speeches           

Listening to lectures, seminars and speeches on an ongoing basis is one of the most important ways to develop and improve the Arabic language and culture, as well as proficiency in classical Arabic. Therefore, it is important to resort to purposeful places and channels that work on pronouncing the Arabic language correctly. It is possible to access channels that read the Arabic language correctly. 

This is true through the Internet, or it is also possible to attend seminars on Arabic pronunciation in specialized places to teach the correct pronunciation of the Classical Arabic language. In addition to that, those interested in learning the Classical Arabic language correctly must consider themselves as broadcasters or lecturers and speak in front of a group of people as training to be sure, proficiency in classical Arabic.                  

  • Learn parsing and grammar  

Learning parsing, grammar, and the art of morphology, which aims to formulate different words, is one of the most important ways to develop and improve the Arabic language and culture, as well as proficiency in classical Arabic. It is very important for the person to be proficient in the science of rhetoric because it brings benefit to the person from a linguistic standpoint.              

Arabic language and culture

The Arabic language and culture are considered very important and common matters that take up a large part of the thinking of specialists, experienced people, or even ordinary individuals, because their presence together is considered one of the things that directly affects a person’s thinking and personality, which remains with him throughout his life.                                                               

The relationship between the Arabic language and culture

The Arabic language is the first means by which a person expresses the ideas that are running through his mind, and therefore the language is the official spokesman for culture. Arabic language and culture are among the most important factors that determine the personality of individuals and groups and help guide the human mind. 

It is necessary to pay attention to them and pass them on to future generations who bear this responsibility, such as the family, the country, the school, experts, and others. However, the family plays a major role in shaping the individual’s personality, as it bears a great burden in this regard, which does not allow the father or mother to speak. In order to reach proficiency in Classical Arabic and develop and keep up with the times, speaking languages other than the children’s mother tongue does not mean not teaching the children other languages, but only after they have fully mastered their mother tongue. 

The state, thanks to its supreme authority, is able to direct the people to the direction they want, through the various state agencies and concerned bodies that handle the country’s cultural affairs. Hence, it becomes clear that this heavy burden is all about the shared responsibility between the peoples of Arabic language and culture.                              

Can we consider that the Arabic language and culture are an inseparable part?                

Yes, Arabic language and culture are two complementary parts, emerging and developing at the same time, which is reflected in the strength of the relationship between them and their strong connection in maintaining social cohesion within the framework of social groups. 

Culture is an ethical and educational phenomenon emerging in man. Language is its source and the source of its existence. It was created through the principles of codification and oral communication, based on the media and intellectual products emphasized by the Age of Enlightenment. Ideas, symbols and connotations are its basis, and symbols and connotations are considered indispensable means of expression in the process of exchanging human and humanitarian knowledge. 

This language contributes to realizing the intellectual renaissance in all its aspects, and constitutes the phenomenon of acquiring new knowledge to build a generous personality characterized by a spirit of optimism in giving and receiving. On the contrary, language and culture cannot be achieved overnight. 

Culture is the result of the accumulation of thousands of years, so interest in language is the beginning of cultural work, because language is an important pillar of culture, and any cultural work begins with language. Language is also part of the culture of the society in which it is spoken. Humans use language as a means of expressing cultural identity, so Arabic language and culture are inseparable.    

The most important challenges of the Arabic language during globalization and technology

Although the Arabic language ranks fifth among the major languages in the world, various challenges have affected the status of our language, and opinions differ among researchers and those concerned about the reasons for the decline in the status of the Arabic language among new generations. Some believe that this is a linguistic crisis that cannot keep pace with global development, while others believe that it is a linguistic crisis that cannot keep pace with global development

There are those who assert that it is not this or that, but rather the crisis of a generation abandoning its culture for other cultures, or the crisis of a generation that has been swept away by globalization and technology.                                                                           

Challenges of the Arabic language during globalization and technology: 

First challenge: curricula between consumption and production

Arabic language study programs continue to decline and are being replaced by foreign language programs. In the field of knowledge, they are more aware than we are of the importance of the mother language in building a productive and innovative generation that leaves its scientific and productive mark on the global scene. 

This is because they are proud of their language. This pride was the catalyst for the success of the global economic experiment, but anyone who consumes someone else’s language or culture will continue to consume their own products. They are not manufactured and do not find a place for them in the global development and production process.                                                                                 

Second challenge: Between job readiness and life readiness

Families are at the forefront of these issues, acting as teachers and creators of language, awareness and culture for children. Parents, unwittingly and in good faith, try to speak to their children in a foreign language, believing that it prepares them for a future that is only open to speakers of foreign languages. 

A big problem arises here. In other words, parental preference for a foreign language arises in the context of career preparation, and interest in the mother tongue arises in the context of life preparation and cultural understanding. Rather, it is a requirement for healthy emotional and spiritual development for Indigenous culture to be effective. 

As a tool for understanding, analyzing and benefiting from different cultures. Today, there is a dire need for proper Arabic in many workplaces, and Arabic is also an important part of emerging economic sectors such as media, publishing, translation, and politics. No foreign language should be taught to children,” he added. “It turns them into passive recipients of other culture   

                                                

Third challenge: The distance from reading books is accompanied by a distance from the language 

Lack of interest in reading books in Arabic represents a special problem at all levels, not just at the language level. This phenomenon is accompanied by an increased demand for foreign language books, especially English books, by young graduates of foreign universities. Far from being analytical or economic, under the influence of what Badriya Al Ali describes as the culture of reading for pleasure rather than profit, or the culture of reading for immediate personal and quick gains, it is also worth noting that light foreign books lack social and social aspects on a large scale. At the same time. 

She added: “In the UAE, the relevant authorities have launched many initiatives and awards for readers and creators, and government departments are committed to providing libraries and enriching books to achieve positive political results and we are making a lot of efforts.” To encourage reading, influential organizations in the youth sector must put into practice Guidance and advice to help young people choose the books, topics and titles they read, giving priority to books in the Arabic language.                            

Fourth challenge: wrong social standards

Speaking a foreign language is an indicator of civilization and sophistication. This is one of the wrong standards prevailing in our society. However, according to Al Ali, these standards are far from the truth and lack the minimum scientific requirements. Speaking a foreign language is not a sign of sophistication or politeness. These two characteristics embody human morals and behavior, and have nothing to do with speech, language, or acquiring a foreign accent. This can affect on achieving proficiency in Classical Arabic                                             

Fifth challenge: electronic media

Electronic media constitutes a large part of the challenges facing the Arabic language today. A huge number of websites from various sources and specializations occupy the screens of our computers and mobile phones, filling us with short and long news stories that do not meet the minimum standards for completeness of language and accuracy of their delivery to us. 

As the general public gradually moves away from traditional and reliable media such as newspapers, magazines and television, these sites have become almost the only source of knowledge, study and learning about languages. Academic institutions, families and social organizations hosting young people need to work together to develop a comprehensive awareness of how to choose sources of knowledge and how to build strong relationships with language. 

This is a problem that requires extensive study to propose practical and effective solutions. Therefore, this challenge is one of the challenges of the Arabic language in light of globalization and technology.                       

     

Sixth challenge: The impact of technology on the Arabic language                                                                  

This era has made great strides in modern technology, providing us with different types of useful and beautiful technology: audio-visual programs, television, satellite programs, computers, the Internet, educational games. 

We aim to reach the pinnacle of progress and development without being preoccupied with the progress of the times. In this advanced environment, coexistence with others is possible only through the use of new technologies and rapid education. The same applies to the Arabic language, where technological advancement has made it an essential part of everyone’s life. 

Planet Earth shapes us and makes us think about preserving the Arabic language and its role in building modern civilization. The Americans say that we will do everything in our power to help preserve the Arabic language and its richness, because it is a symbol of identity, a vessel of culture, and a symbol of national progress. (William Wuerl): “The Arabic language has the flexibility necessary to adapt to the requirements of this era, superior to other languages with which it has come into contact, and it will retain its content in the future, just as it preserved its essence in the past.”                                                                          

Seventh challenge: The impact of globalization on the Arabic language

The Arabic language faces the challenges of globalization, which has taken control of the language through great advances in technology and economics, and has controlled entire cultures with their own languages. Spoken languages are widespread among the Arab people, and these spoken languages are diverse and threaten the mother tongue. Therefore, classical languages are placed at the second level of linguistic embodiment and have a lower status in linguistic expression. Life among the people of that language. 

We find those calling for abandoning this classical language and replacing it with the colloquial language. It is spoken in easygoing terms, mixed with colloquial languages, or based on foreign languages as a language. And replacing it, as if development could only be achieved by separating from the Arabic language. 

Away from the competition of other languages and ultimately the intellectual invasion from other countries represented by globalization, it absorbs the culture of nations and peoples and seeks to eliminate this linguistic diversity from the world. The Arabic language also faces external challenges that can be overcome by adhering to cultural constants, religious values, national identity, and psychological and social characteristics. 

The development of the Arabic language is necessary for the development of life in the Arab world, based on linguistic publications for the emergence of the language of the future. Activating its natural growth so that it changes, develops and grows. When the tongue freezes and shrinks, it atrophies, weakens, and deteriorates. 

With the stagnation of the tongue there is corruption of the tongue, social corruption. The status of the Arabic language has become unstable in light of globalization, and despite its simplicity, lack of ambiguity, and its ability to convey the intended meaning accurately and clearly, it has been suppressed in many places.                                                  

The role of the Elmadrasah.com platform in enhancing mastery of the classical Arabic language and providing services and various training courses to enhance the language 

Elmadrasah.com has a very important role in enhancing mastery of the Arabic language, as it provides many different courses and is one of the most famous platforms in the Arab world that provides many services and training courses to users. It also gives users the opportunity to develop their linguistic skills, whether in writing or pronunciation, and increase their awareness of the importance of the classical Arabic language. 

Elmadrasha.com platform offers many means to help in mastering the Arabic language, including multimedia lessons, various educational resources, communication with teachers, providing tests, and time and place flexibility. Through these means, Elmadrasah.com works to provide a comprehensive and integrated educational environment.                                                    

Conclusion and recommendations

The problem of the Arabic language in the face of globalization is related to the isolation and self-sufficiency experienced by our Arab societies and the subordination of the authorities to political institutions that seek to perpetuate this isolation, which affects individuals and groups. We face a situation in which we control ways of thinking, doing and reacting that are largely divorced from the world and the norms to which it is subject. But the current openness, which is occurring after decades of isolation, is subject to pressure from external circumstances and forces, lacks long-term vision and social control, works to disrupt existing local institutions and other institutions, and is actively working to dismantle them, and even to blow up all of them. 

If globalization is not used correctly and civilized, all of this will lead to the decline and collapse of the mother language. This will help expand the horizons of this language and make it compatible with development and technological progress through the development of education. program. New statuses have been added to support social and cultural communication. To achieve this state, the following recommendations are needed:      

  • Increasing the use of classical Arabic through visual, print and audio media in various Arab countries, and publishing everything in the media in Arabic instead of the local dialects, which have begun to occupy more space. In most Arab media programs. To achieve this goal, we need to develop qualified cadres who can deliver the correct Arabic language to all recipients.                                                            
  • Focusing on Arabic language teaching programs such as readings, audio and video for non-native speakers, exploring the interests and goals of non-native speakers in learning the Arabic language and Islamic culture, Arabic language teaching programs and reviewing cultural content. The book serves this segment in a way that meets their needs and achieves their goals

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