The Arabic language in Canada is not just a means of communication alongside the mother tongues in the country, especially among members of the Arab or Muslim communities, but rather it is a cornerstone — if the expression is correct — in building the culture and identity of the community members in their estrangement. This is aided by Canada's cultural diversity, and the special status that the Arabic language holds among the mosaic of languages spoken by the population and residents in Canada. 

The Use of the Arabic Language in Canada 

The Arabic language is widely spread in several countries around the world, including Canada, due to the increasing waves of Arab migration to these countries over the past century in general, and particularly in the last decade. Consequently, the use of this language in Canada has become common recently with the rising number of speakers of Arabic. 

The Ranking of the Arabic Language in Canada 

In the report published by "Statistics Canada" on the occasion of International Arabic Language Day on December 16, 2022, the agency stated the following: 

·        The Arabic language is the mother tongue of 629,000 Canadians, of whom 286,000 speak it primarily at home.

·        The Arabic language is one of the fastest-growing languages in Canada, and the percentage of individuals who speak it increased by at least 25% in 2016.

·        Arabic is spoken in almost every province and territory in Canada, with a higher prevalence in the major Canadian cities. 

·        In Montreal, "the largest gathering of Arabic speakers in Canada," Arabic is the mother tongue of 220,000 Canadians.

·        In second place is Toronto, with 121,000 Canadian citizens whose mother tongue is Arabic. 

The report also praised the Arabic language as the fifth most spoken language worldwide. In Canada, if we exclude the country's official languages "English and French," the Arabic language is spoken by 28% of Canada's population, ranking fourth after Tigrinya "a language spoken in East African countries," Tagalog "a widely used language in the Philippines," and Turkish "spoken in Turkey and some East Asian countries," according to another report by Statistics Canada regarding linguistic diversity in Canada. 

Is Arabic in Demand in Canada? 

Currently, the Arabic language is not in high demand in the job market, at least for now, although it may be required for some specific positions related to public relations and international work, as well as translation services directly associated with the Arabic language. 

However, on a social and cultural level, there is an increasing urgency to consider the Arabic language in Canada as essential, and proficiency in it is equally necessary for members of the Arab community to preserve their identity and positively influence the unique cultural diversity that Canada possesses. 

Are there Arabic Schools in Canada? 

Yes, there are many Arabic and Islamic schools that focus on teaching the Arabic language and enhancing its skills for the children of both the Arab and Muslim communities. There are also numerous individual and collective initiatives to provide Arabic courses either directly or online. This form of Arabic education has gained popularity with the increasing number of Arab migrants and the rising percentage of Canadians with Arab origins. 

The Role of the Arabic Language in Preserving Arab Identity in Canada

The Arabic language in Canada is part of the cultural and civilizational diversity that the country offers its residents. While every Canadian takes pride in their language, culture, and heritage, it is essential for Arabs to share the same level of pride and distinction. 

To preserve Arab identity for generations to come, it is imperative to understand the significant role that the Arabic language plays in maintaining and safeguarding this identity. 

Arabic as a Bridge to Understanding Arab History and Civilization

For Canadians of Arab descent, their language is more than just words; it is a gateway to the rich fabric of Arab history and civilization. By speaking and understanding Arabic, expatriates can access the literary treasures of Arab poets and scholars, the philosophical reflections of ancient thinkers, and the stories of their ancestors, thus making the Arabic language a bridge that connects them to the collective memory of their peoples.

Arabic Speakers Are Closer to Their Home Countries' Social and Political Issues 

Staying informed about the social and political issues in their home countries is a significant concern for future generations, who may be distant from their native issues. Therefore, the Arabic language in Canada allows them to stay connected with news, events, and discussions taking place in their second homelands. This connection enhances their ability to actively engage with everything related to their countries and the communities from which they originate. 

Learning Arabic Keeps the Hope of Returning Alive for Future Generations 

For immigrant Arab families, teaching Arabic to their children is a means of ensuring that the cherished heritage and values are passed down to the next generation. This provides young Arab Canadians with a strong connection to their cultural roots and instills a sense of pride and belonging. It is a form of investment in the future, granting today's youth and future generations a greater sense of their Arab identity, while keeping alive the goal of returning to participate in building their homelands and shaping a secure future. 

Arabic Is a Language with Important Religious and Civilizational Dimensions 

Arabic also has a prominent role in the religious practices of Muslims, such as reading the Quran, which is the holiest Islamic book, revealed in Arabic; this gives the language a special sanctity for hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world, not just within Canada. 

Moreover, the Arabic language is an essential part of religious worship and celebrations, as well as Islamic cultural activities, deepening the connection of Muslim and Arab Canadians to their religion and faith. 

Learning More Than One Language Is a Strength for the Next Generation 

Learning the Arabic language in Canada does not preclude an Arab from mastering other official languages in the country, such as English and French, or other languages. This becomes a source of strength for them, and mastering Arabic alongside other languages enhances unique skills. 

Furthermore, cultural diversity is enriched by the multiplicity of languages. Language does not end at its academic and professional dimensions; it fosters understanding among different cultures, bridging civilizational gaps. A multilingual Arab can serve as an ambassador for their Arabic culture to others and as an ambassador for other cultures among the Arab community. This is an important aspect of the multicultural life in Canada. 

Challenges Facing Arabic Language Learning in Canada 

Regarding learning Arabic from scratch for new generations that have not grown up in Arabic environments, this poses a real challenge. The main features of this challenge include: 

Relatively Difficulty in Learning Arabic 

The grammatical rules of the Arabic language are significantly different from the grammatical rules of the official languages in Canada, starting from the unfamiliar letter forms for children, through the different writing style compared to Western languages (as Arabic is written from right to left), to other difficulties related to syntactic and spelling rules. 

Therefore, studying this language must be carried out according to a comprehensive educational approach rather than as a hobby or a way to fill free time, requiring perseverance on the part of the student to master Arabic and overcome these challenges. 

Difficulty in Pronouncing Arabic for Those Not Used to It 

One of the difficulties that children face is pronouncing Arabic letters, especially those sound segments that do not exist in English and French, such as "qaf" and "ain."

Overcoming this challenge requires training from native speakers, whether from parents or experienced teachers in this field, to achieve fluency in pronouncing Arabic. 

Lack of Resources for Teaching Arabic in Canada 

Resources for studying the Arabic language remain limited in Canada. Despite the abundance of educational centers, they are still below the level of other languages, hindering the possibility of fruitful or strong educational opportunities in most cases. Thus, this aspect requires more support from centers, institutes, and schools specializing in teaching Arabic and developing curricula for students while integrating the educational process more with modern technologies. 

Limited Utilization of Arabic Language in Job Opportunities in Canada 

From a material perspective, some may consider, especially the youth, that engaging in learning the Arabic language in Canada will not be professionally rewarding, as it is not a prerequisite in 99% of known professions and jobs in Canada. The obligation to master the Arabic language is limited to specific fields, such as international diplomacy, trade, and translation, as previously mentioned in this article.

Therefore, motivating youth to learn Arabic may be one of the most challenging feasible plans unless there are actual incentives in the form of job opportunities or the potential for career advancement in certain tasks and professions where Arabic is involved. 

Arabic is one of the languages that has become commonplace to hear in markets, to read on many signs and products, and to be exchanged on websites and social media. It has become an important subject in many Arabic and Islamic schools, making it a language with a promising future in Canada. Investing in raising awareness among generations of Arab origins about the importance of their language may turn out to be a profitable investment for the future, both materially and culturally.