Discussion on Arabic Language Identity in Lebanon

What I

am about to say is directed at anyone

who feels jealous and proud of their

identity and sense of belonging.

This is their chance to take

revenge on the Arabic language

by turning it into Syriac in Lebanon, and from

Modern Standard Arabic

to colloquial speech.

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

Dear

may God Almighty bless you with

His favors and make you one of

His chosen ones.

At various points in time,

we in Lebanon have heard people calling

for replacing Modern Standard Arabic

with colloquial speech. Okay?

Of course.

Some even went so far as to reject the Arabic language

and regard it as

the language of conquerors.

Arabic is the language of conquerors,

calling for its replacement

with

Syriac. These

voices

grew louder and quieter depending

on the surrounding circumstances

and political developments, and

some people put their calls into practice through

a book, a newspaper, or even a television news bulletin.

There were news bulletins in this format. This one.

Today, as a result of the surrounding

circumstances and current developments

this tune has returned.

What do you think?

This tune has returned, stronger than before,

As though it were an opportunity

for them to consider

dealing a fatal blow to the Arabic language

in Lebanon.

So we began to hear

and see

in the media

people openly declaring what was said earlier:

“It’s the language of the invaders,

and we want to wipe it out.

We don’t want Standard Arabic.

We want colloquial Arabic,

and we call it the

Lebanese language.”

He began openly saying this, theorizing,

philosophizing, and spewing chatter that is

like children’s stories.

This call is growing day by day, along with

what accompanies it:

contempt,

racism,

and distortion of history,

even

going so far as to denigrate Islam, albeit

in an indirect way.

This is happening now. We place all of the above

in the hands of those concerned with this matter, and those

who feel pride and dignity in their identity

and belonging. We’ll leave it at that, and no more. Thanks.

Peace be upon you.