Abu Dhabi : The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has launched a new index to measure the strength of community engagement with the Arabic language, coinciding with the UAE’s designation of 2025 as the “Year of the Community.”
The index is based on a statistical model that monitors the development of individuals’ connection to Arabic across personal, familial, and institutional dimensions. It incorporates empirical data on language use in reading, writing, speaking, and digital communication, with particular focus on the language’s use within families, especially with children.
The index aims to assess how the community interacts with the Arabic language and supports its promotion. It also tracks institutional support through ALC initiatives such as book publishing, creative content development, talent nurturing, skill-building, literary festivals, and awards.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, stated that the index reflects the leadership’s vision to build a cohesive society and strengthen national and cultural identity. He noted that the Centre, since its inception, has worked to connect society to the Arabic language across creative, knowledge-based, and cultural fields, engaging both Arabic speakers and non-speakers.
The index will be calculated for residents of Abu Dhabi across various demographic segments, producing values that reflect the degree of engagement, from full connection to complete detachment, with the aim of guiding policy and coordinating future initiatives.
The launch of the new index coincided with the announcement of the 2025 results of the Arabic Language Perception Index, which has been tracking public sentiment since 2021 regarding Arabic in comparison with English. The survey includes more than 6,000 individuals aged 15 and above.
Findings showed that Arabic scored highest in areas of creativity, such as language aesthetics and content, and culture, particularly heritage. English, by contrast, led in the knowledge category, particularly scientific content.
Dr. bin Tamim said that while speakers of each language believe in the prominence of their own, understanding how perceptions shift over time requires deeper social and linguistic study. He added that the indicators will support efforts to enhance Arabic’s role as a language of science, culture, and creativity, and to expand its presence in digital content and scientific research.
