<p>Why are people so obsessed over this language? SO many people here say they want to learn it. What for? To work in Yemen or Syria? I understand learning French or Chinese. But Arabic?</p>
<p>Does it have something to do with terrorism and the war of civilizations thing? Russian was popular back when there was a Soviet Union, and then its popularity fell when the latter broke up. Will Arabic fade away just like that when Arab countries will stop being in the news?</p>
<p>So they can understand the people trying to kill us? Or maybe they want to work as a translator? Or they just find it interesting...</p>
<p>Many students who want to major in business want to learn Arabic since Arabic nations are doing very well in the global economy but are still very hostile towards western nations. By learning Arabic, one will have an advantage in case he/she has to do business with Arabs.</p>
<p>Edit: and by not using a translator, but by actually speaking the language, you create better impression and thus a better economic relationship</p>
<p>Work as a translator? Unless you're talking UN, that's not a high goal in life.</p>
<p>On CC especially, many are interested in international relations and related fields. Given the current temperature between the West and Arab countries, Arabic would be very useful, just as Russian was during the peak of the Soviet Union.</p>
<p>i am majoring in international relations and also studying Arabic because its a very challenging language to learn, and also many of the issues i will study will involve the Middle East and I think it will be beneficial to understand the language. Why does anyone study anything? Some people are interested in languages just as others are into science.</p>
<p>Are you planning to become fluent, and are you planning to visit Arab countries and spend some time there (which is pretty much necessary for fluency)?</p>
<p>Why not, nothing wrong with learning a new language. I personally am going to try and learn Chinese. They are after all the new super power or will be.</p>
<p>I flunctuate in my wanting to learn Arabic, and I have absolutely no use for it (I want to study English, and will probably end up in education or publishing or something). But I love Middle Eastern culture, especially Arabic poetry and music. I think language is the most important thing to a culture, so it's just an extension of that. </p>
<p>Also, a teeny bit of me would love to work for the UN for Palestinian refugees, but who am I kidding?</p>
<p>To stick it to Bush!!!</p>
<p>One word:</p>
<p>Dubai</p>
<p>
[quote]
Work as a translator? Unless you're talking UN, that's not a high goal in life.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Hardly, they are very well paid.</p>
<p>
[quote]
So they can understand the people trying to kill us?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not all terrorists are Muslims, not all Muslims are Arabs, and not Arabs are Muslims.</p>
<p>On a more related note:</p>
<p>Arabian Gulf countries are, needless to say, sitting on huge oil reserves, which makes them a vital component in the global enconomy. If someone were to ever do business in the Arabian Gulf, fluent Arabic would come in handy.</p>
<p>Aside from the obvious financial benefits, some people just like it. Alot of people are interested in unfamiliar cultures and wish to learn about them.</p>
<p>Others simply want to learn it because they want to go there for tourism, and would like to be able to communicate with the locals. </p>
<p>Others want to have careers in language. The UN is breeding ground for interpreters who need to be fluent in all sorts of language.</p>
<p>Others, who may be thinking of persueing careers in international commercial airlines need to know how to talk to all the different people they encounter on their flights.</p>
<p>I won't even start a debate here. I prefer statistics from credible, non-biased sources.</p>
<p>A made up statistic.</p>
<p>Anyone remember Timothy McVeigh?</p>
<p>Oh don't even bother responding to Abhi's posts. This is "let's blame the Muslims for everything coz they all have to be evil", iteration #200 at the moment.</p>
<p>I've seen lots of Abhi's threads, I know everything he's going to say before he says it.</p>
<p>Though of course Virgil, it is very, very possible to live in Dubai without ever speaking Arabic. (I've been here 5 years now, I've yet to be in a situation where English or a knowledge of Hindi/Urdu haven't been enough. :))</p>
<p>
[quote]
I won't even start a debate here. I prefer statistics from credible, non-biased sources.
[/quote]
Hmm, credible and unbiased.. You mean Al jajerra?</p>
<p>24 of the 24 Most wanted terrorists by FBI are Muslims. [url=<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/fugitives.htm%5DLink%5B/url">http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/fugitives.htm]Link[/url</a>]</p>
<p>It's simple maths afterwards. But I warn, FBI is biased.</p>