Saudi Arabia's National Arabic Language Policy: 8 Principles to Promote Identity

In a strategic move reflecting a deep connection to its historical and cultural roots, the Saudi Cabinet approved the "National Policy for the Arabic Language," a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing the presence of the Arabic language across all sectors of the state and society. This decision reaffirms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading role as the cradle of the Arab world and the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, making it the foremost global authority on the Arabic language.

Strategic dimensions and future vision

This decision is inseparable from the context of "Vision 2030," which places the strengthening of national and Islamic identity at the heart of its objectives. The Arabic language is not merely a means of communication, but a vessel of culture, the nation's memory, and a fundamental pillar of cultural security and national sovereignty. From this perspective, the new policy seeks to harmonize the Kingdom's rapid development with the preservation of the eloquent Arabic language, ensuring it remains relevant to modern sciences and technologies, and not merely a historical legacy.

The Eight Principles: A Roadmap for Empowering the Arabic Language

The adopted national policy is based on eight fundamental principles that ensure the full empowerment of the Arabic language in public life:

• Sovereignty and official language: Emphasizing the mandatory use of Arabic in all government agencies and the private sector, to be the primary and essential language of communication.
• The centrality of education: Adopting Arabic as the language of instruction in all educational stages, to ensure the upbringing of generations that are proud of their identity and have mastery of their language, while remaining open to other languages.
• Public space: Arabization of billboards, commercial signs, place names, and streets, to reflect the Arab identity of the Kingdom in the urban landscape.
• Scientific and intellectual research: Encouraging scientific publishing in Arabic and supporting translation and Arabization in universities and research centers.
• Media and digital content: Raising the quality of Arabic content in media and digital platforms, and ensuring the integrity of the language used.
• Economy and Language: Transforming language into an economic driver through content creation, education, and language technologies.
• Diplomacy and International Relations: Using Arabic in international forums and official communications to enhance its status among the world's living languages.
• Culture and Arts: Supporting literary and artistic production that highlights the aesthetics and richness of the Arabic language.

Language as a tool of soft power and diplomacy

The importance of this policy extends beyond local boundaries to the international level, as the Kingdom aims to solidify the presence of the Arabic language in international organizations and global conferences. This approach is part of the Kingdom's investment in "soft power," where language serves as a bridge for cultural communication and a tool for cultural influence. By mandating the use of Arabic in international communications and providing translation when needed, the Kingdom affirms its pride in its language and commands respect for it in global diplomatic circles.

In conclusion, the national policy for the Arabic language represents a qualitative shift from the traditional stage of "preservation" to the stage of "empowerment and development," ensuring that the Arabic language maintains its vitality and ability to absorb the developments of the times, and remains a key component of the firmly established Saudi identity.