Arabic

The Arabic Language: A Global Gateway

Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with a rich history that spans over 1,500 years. Arabic holds profound cultural, religious, and intellectual significance for millions of people. Arabic is considered to be the fifth spoken language with over 400 million people. It is the official language of 22 countries across the Middle East ,North Africa, and Arab Gulf area.

There are numerous dialects of Arabic spoken in different regions, including Egyptian Arabic, Levantine Arabic (spoken in countries like Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan), Gulf Arabic, Maghrebi Arabic (spoken in North Africa), and many others. While Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is used in formal settings, news broadcasts, literature, and education, the spoken dialects can vary widely, making the language vibrant and diverse.

Studying Arabic provides numerous benefits, both academically and professionally. In an increasingly interconnected world, proficiency in Arabic opens doors to opportunities in international business, diplomacy, journalism, translation, and various fields related to the Arab world and North Africa. Understanding Arabic also allows for deeper engagement with the region’s contemporary issues, cultures, and media, as well as the ability to connect with millions of Arabic speakers across the globe.

Omar Offendum: Hip-Hop, Poetry, & Peace

Offendum, a Syrian American hip-hop artist, performed and met with students in Fall 2014.

Cultivating Seeds of Hope

Read about lecturer Brahim El Guabli's efforts to bring literacy to villages, like the one where he grew up, in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains.

Faculty watch as Khaled al-Saai provides calligraphy demo

Professor Brian Meunier practices calligraphy

Student receiving aid with her calligraphy stroke

Khaled al-Saai providing a calligraphy demo

Students and faculty gather for calligraphy demo

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Culture Context of Arabic Music

Watch a video of acclaimed Lebanese composer Marcel Khalife performing with a dozen students who are learning both singing and percussion in the Arabic Studies course "Culture Context of Arabic Music."

Language Media Lab

The Language Media Lab provides resources to enhance the study of foreign language, literature, and culture at Swarthmore College. Students have access to audio/video materials required for foreign language classes. The lab's resources include 12 Macbook Pros, 8 iMacs, an extensive library of foreign films, video cameras, and audio recorders. The space is a unique, adaptable, multimedia-friendly place to study, practice and develop language skills.

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