Articles
Gaining popularity
Arabic is becoming increasingly popular among students pursuing language courses. A much-favoured language that lands students with plum jobs in news channels, it also creates opportunities to become an interpreter or a translator in any MNC or Arab embassy in the city.
- By Nilima Pathak, Notes Report
- Published: 00:50 October 21, 2007
Arabic is becoming increasingly popular among students pursuing language courses. A much-favoured language that lands students with plum jobs in news channels, it also creates opportunities to become an interpreter or a translator in any MNC or Arab embassy in the city.
A few years ago, Arabic was not so popular among students. But with ever increasing Indo-Gulf ties and the Gulf countries having Arabic as their official language, the University of Delhi's Arabic department is offering masters programme and various certificate and diploma courses that are gaining a lot of popularity.
Seeking Arabic speakers
Dr M.N. Khan, Professor, Arabic Department, University of Delhi, said, "Irrespective of religion and age, Arabic learners have been securing good jobs in electronic media companies. They assist in translation and voice-overs, which are subsequently sourced to various Arabic news channels."
"In fact, officials from multinational companies have of late been approaching colleges and universities to recruit students who know Arabic. And over the years the University of Delhi has been expecting more and more applicants for its various certificate, diploma and masters level Arabic programmes," he said.
Some Arabic language experts feel that the scope of foreign languages such as Arabic is underestimated, despite the fact that most North African and Middle Eastern countries speak Arabic today.
Growth of the language
Khan noted that most professional characters enroll in Arabic classes these days. Moreover, the Ministry of Defence Affairs, at its school of foreign languages, teaches Arabic, which is one of the most sought-after among defence personnel.
Courses on offer
While colleges at the University of Delhi offer degree and diploma courses in foreign languages at the undergraduate level, Jamia Milia Islamia has courses that are increasingly attracting non-Muslims. With 22 countries in the Arab world, almost all who complete a masters in the field are assured lucrative jobs, as Arabic takes obvious preference over other languages.
Many learners join crash courses, which promise proficiency in six weeks.
Studying Arabic in India
Eligibility for Delhi University's Arabic language programme.
Degreee/Diploma Courses at the undergraduate level
For a certificate in modern Arabic, diploma in modern Arabic and advanced diploma in modern Arabic the person should have a 10 +2 or Senior School Examination certificate.
He/she should have passed an equivalent examination certified by a competent authority accredited by any state or the Central government's education ministry.
Master's Programme
Bachelor's degree in Arabic with at least 45 per cent marks with adequate proficiency in the language.
Certificate Course
Students who have passed the Senior School Certificate examination of the Central Board of Secondary Education or an examination recognised as its equivalent thereof and have working knowledge of Urdu or Persian.
Diploma/Advance Diploma Course
The candidate should have passed a certificate course.
The candidate should have a diploma in Modern Arabic.
NRI and international students
Foreign students need to enroll at the Foreign Students registration Office at the Faculty of Management Studies at the North Campus.
They need to have a Bulletin of Information where all rules and details are mentioned along with the application form.
Delhi University has a list of recognized universities and institutions. Students falling in that category can be given admission prima facie.
Otherwise, the decision to grant admission rests on the committee.
Arabic should be emphasised more
There may be an interest in learning Arabic, however Arabs themselves are losing language.
"It is sad to see that many foreigners want to learn Arabic, while Arabs themselves are losing it. Our children nowadays are not interested in learning the language properly," said Baria Ataya, director of the Arabic Language Centre, Dubai World Trade Centre.
"The problem is in our schools and the teaching methods used. It is important for the teachers to create this love for the language."
Mohammad Al Omar, Arabic instructor at the Department of Arabic Language and Literature at the University of Sharjah, also thinks the problem comes from the "West-is-better-than-us complex".
"Many think that the English language represents everything that is modern and advanced, while Arabic is just an ancient language," he said. "The new generations are not connected to their culture and traditions. Arabic is not about learning grammar and poetry. Teaching methods need to be re-visited."
Schools, however, are not the only institutions responsible for making Arabic a fun and interesting subject. "I think universities should also promote Arabic and make it more interesting for the students," said Reem Razem, Arabic and English language instructor at the Centre for Languages and culture at the University of Wollongong Dubai.
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