Arabic language learners: What they have learnt

Dubai: Gulf News speaks to three learners in a beginner’s class about their experiences with the Arabic language

Sai Pranav, 21, Indian, personal trainer and football coach

“I’ve been in Dubai for 18 years and always wanted to learn the language, as it helps expand my client base. [Learning Arabic] is also respectful as you live in the UAE. I plan on continuing my classes until I’m fluent. It takes time and patience, as you have to learn the roots of each word. It demands concentration and alertness from the learner. Arabic is the root of many languages, so you need to learn it properly.”

Victoria Mortensen, Danish, 52, former teaching assistant

“I’ve been working in Dubai for five years and didn’t have time to learn Arabic. But now I’m doing it for personal reasons, as I’m really interested in linguistics and know English and Russian. Arabic is new to me in terms of the origins of the alphabets and the way letters are written. It’s a very challenging [language]. The challenge is to write and read because the alphabets and letters are so different. I’m also learning it because it is said that that if you speak your native language, you only live in your own world. So I want to learn about other cultures and the world outside. Many say that Arabic is difficult but when you begin [to learn it], you can see common traits with languages you already know.”

Sholeh Homapour, 58, British of Iranian descent

“I arrived in Dubai seven months ago and was interested in knowing more about [UAE’s} culture and language and everything else. Persian is similar to Arabic and my father used to speak Arabic so I was always interested to learn this language, which is the mother of all languages. It’s fascinating to learn it and understand it with all the verbs and nouns and where they come from. The hardest part is the numbers and saying the time, but I practise saying it every day. It’s opening my eyes to my own language.”