Arabic - Language of the Future

The French government is strongly advocating the teaching of Arabic language and civilization in French schools. Not surprising, considering the number of Arabs and Muslims in France, and the unctuous deference with which they are treated by officials, beginning notably with Nicolas Sarkozy, who cannot praise enough the splendor of Arabic contributions to the world.

The French National Assembly was the scene of a meeting earlier this month of the first Conference on the Teaching of Arabic Language and Culture, attended by a variety of interested parties. There was much wearisome blather about the need for "dialogue." Marrakech, a Moroccan website, reports:

This gathering, initiated by Convergence Méditerranée and the Institut du Monde Arabe (Institute of the Arab World, pictured above left) saw a great number of ambassadors from Arabic countries, as well as representatives from the worlds of business, culture, education, research and professional associations come together to examine and discuss the socio-cultural, political and economic ramifications connected to the project. Their first concerns revolved around a shared identity, the transmission of a common heritage and the building of bridges to facilitate an intercultural dialogue and a mutually beneficial rapprochement.

In his message to the participants, French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Arabic the "language of the future, of science and of modernity," and expressed the hope that "more French people share in the language that expresses great civilizational and spiritual values."

The French leader recalled that the idea for the meeting had been announced last December, in Constantine, during his State visit to Algeria.

"We must invest in the Arabic language (because) to teach it symbolizes a moment of exchange, of openness and of tolerance, (and it) brings with it one of the oldest and most prestigious civilizations of the world. It is in France that we have the greatest number of persons of Arabic and Muslim origin. Islam is the second religion of France," Sarkozy reminded his listeners.

He proceeded to enumerate the various "advances in terms of diversity" such as the creation of the CFCM (French Council of the Muslim Religion), the increase in Muslim sections of cemeteries, the training of imams and chaplains and the appointments of ministers of diverse backgrounds.

"France is a friend of Arabic countries. We are not seeking a clash between the East and West," he affirmed, emphasizing the strong presence of Arab leaders at the founding summit of the Union for the Mediterranean, last July 13.

"The Mediterranean is where our common hopes were founded. Our common sea is where the principal challenges come together: durable development, security, education and peace," added the French president.

Earlier, Marc Lefineur, first vice-president of the French National Assembly, had stressed that learning and teaching the Arabic language was "a cultural, educational and professional advantage and a vector for intercultural dialogue, respect for others and mutual comprehension."

He recalled that France's interest in the Arabic language goes back to the 17th century, when Colbert created the first school for interpreters of Arabic. He also mentioned the contributions of Arab-Muslim civilization in the domains of science and culture. (...)

Note: The school founded in 1669 by Colbert, Louis XIV's powerful and influential minister, was the "Ecole des jeunes de langues" (young persons' school for languages). It's goal and the goals of Colbert were quite different from those of Sarkozy. For while Sarkozy wants to open wide the doors of France to Arabic influence and culture, placing them on a par with French language and culture (and in the process inevitably reducing the importance of French), Colbert sought to spread French culture and strengthen French influence in the East. His motives were purely nationalistic, and possibly academic, but not multi-cultural in today's sense of the word. Rather than today's spineless addiction to tolerance and weakened national pride, the French monarchy sought precisely the opposite: the preeminence of France in the world.

According to the BBF (libraries of France) website:

Louis XIV worked energetically to increase the influence of France in the Orient, and made Marseilles into an open port. The first language taught to the pupils of this school was Turkish; later in 1721 Arabic and ancient Greek were added. This was the golden age of the school. In 1763 it was annexed to the Louis-le-Grand High School and Persian was added. The Revolution spared the school but created, by decree on March 30, a parallel institution, the School of Eastern Languages where literary and vulgar Arabic were taught, as well as Turkish, the Tartar language of the Crimean, Persian and Malay. (...)

H/T: François Desouche