Out of all languages, why should you learn Arabic?
Egyptian Arabic is beautifully expressive, super fun, and the fourth fastest-growing language in the world.
Ancient Egyptians believed words had a magical effect if arranged in a particular order. They used words as spells to create their reality and honor their gods.
Author Normandi Ellis's who writes about Egyptian myth, ritual, and magic, says,
Egyptian priests understood that language and thought could create realities if the exact words are uttered at the right time, properly intoned, and filled with intention.
While you may not be an ancient wizard, there are loads of reasons why you should learn the language of a faraway land – especially Arabic.
Have you ever used a few new words with someone whose language is different from your own? Their face lights up like the sun!
Speaking to people in their native tongue is a welcome surprise, a reminder of home, and a powerful human connection.
So, why exactly should you learn Egyptian Arabic?
My favorite word in Arabic is yalla. It means come on, let's go, let's do this!
So, yalla!
1. Cultural appreciation
Love won and lost is the prevailing theme found in Egyptian art, and no one expresses the passion of love better than Egyptian artists.
Egypt is home to some of the greatest entertainers in the world! Have a listen to the great songstress Umm Kulthum and feel the chills run up your spine.
Watch a few moments of Egyptian bellydancer Sahar Samara perform traditional Saidi and feel the intensity in her powerful movements.
Composer, singer, and actor Mohamed Abdel Wahab is one of Egypt's most prolific artists. He's best known for his romantic and Egyptian patriotic songs.
Are you curious about the current music scene? Check out this tune by Hassan Shakosh, and I promise you will be dancing within the first 15 seconds!
Music is one of the most potent ways to plug into a culture, especially in the Middle East and North Africa.
You spread awareness naturally about cultures when you are invested in learning about them.
2. Learning a new language grows your brain & improves emotional intelligence
Studies show learning a language creates new neural pathways in your brain.
What does that mean? It re-scrambles your brain for the better!
Cognitive abilities like problem-solving and critical thinking expand.
It enhances your memory and boosts creativity – yes, your creativity will shine.
When you learn Arabic, you can learn other languages with greater ease and even improve your native language skills.
That's right! Your overall communication skills improve when you learn a new language because it filters through your first language and then the new language.
Arabic is an emotional language, to begin with, but when you connect with people in their
first language, it furthers emotional intelligence.
3. Expand your professional opportunities
With Arabic, you have an exciting opportunity to expand your professional reach.
While all Arabic is useful, Egyptian Arabic is the most widely spoken and understood across the globe.
You can use it throughout the Arab world and North Africa for business, teaching, and socializing.
Arabic is a high-value language to speak, and you will be in professional demand when you talk like an Egyptian.
Ha! Forgive the pun; I couldn't help myself.
4. The History of Arabic is as fascinating as the Pyramids of Giza
Arabic language facts
Arabic has around 11 words for love, and each one describes the different stages of falling in love.
There are hundreds of words for camels that describe the various personalities of each camel. Who knew camels were so full of character?
At around 1,000 years old, Arabic is one of the most ancient languages in the world. Arabic means "nomadic," and the language is thought to have developed in the Arabian Peninsula.
More than 400 million people in the world speak Arabic
Arabic is the official language of over 20 countries and is the fourth fastest-growing language in the world.
Did you know many English words come from Arabic? For example, alcohol, coffee, cotton, guitar, lemon, alchemy, candy, magazine, and many more.
5. Travel!
There are few more exciting interactions than traveling to another country and speaking with the locals.
If you're speaking with someone whose native language is Arabic, look out!
I guarantee if you speak a little Arabic, locals will meet you with great delight!
Negotiating prices or "haggling" is a big part of shopping and procuring services in Egypt, and knowing the basics always gets you a better deal.
If you visit Egypt, you will experience loads of Egyptian hospitality. People will be excited to speak with you, whether you are invited for dinner, tea, or a wedding (which happens all the time).
Learning Arabic enriches your travel experience by allowing you to have an authentic connection with the people you meet.
When you learn Arabic, you open the door to new, thrilling experiences, and that's what travel is all about.
What are you waiting for? Yalla!
The power of language inspires you to share meaningful connections and grow beyond borders.
Learning Arabic will give you an intimate understanding of regional traditions, daily life, and art.
Despite being challenging, Arabic is a rich, rewarding language to learn.
Egyptian Arabic is a playful, poetic portal into the history of one of the world's richest civilizations.
Explore your inner adventurer and see what lies beyond the ancient Pyramids because it's the people who will steal your heart with their stories, songs, and hospitality.
"If you speak to a man in a language he understands, you speak to his head. If you speak to him in his language, you speak to his heart." Nelson Mandela
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