What you think about the Omani families who they don’t speak Arabic and they speak English as they say it's the world language!!!! Do you think they are stupid and we need to speak Arabic to save our language?? This style you can find it especially with the Swahili people

My opinion is:

Why do you call yourself "Steven"?

^ I ask the same question lol

Talk about so many people with exactly the same question !

yeah, why is your name steven not ahmed al halali al kabooshi harami belooshi?

Now I feel bad! :(

Don't get discouraged Steven. It's a good question. It's just that your name does make us wonder if you maybe are affected by the attraction of English too...

Nice Thread !!

i guess i wont stop commenting on those, well some of them think that Arabic is a shameful language , well we can specify those people as those who are trying to be westrenized , party attenders , beer Drinkers they are almost every where in Muscat.
and am sure i bet that they dont even know how to read the holy quran , they are just muslims by name nothing else.

P.S: they just think that they are cool when they speak english.

i think children need to be bilingual. having english as a second language is an asset. look at all the guys in here...would they be able to attend foreign universities so successfully if their mastery of the english language wasn't so strong?

they r free to speak any language they want steven!

So?
I speak English most of the time.
What does that have to do with anything?
I would speak Arabic but I prefer English... Since it is easier for me to speak it.

It is their choice really.
If you meant they don't speak Arabic AT ALL then blame the parents.
Don't blame them.

yeah, why is your name steven not ahmed al halali al kabooshi harami belooshi?

sounds familiar

sounds familiar
lol i made that up....the only bit i knew was arabic was the 'ahmed' bit :hyper:

lol i made that up....the only bit i knew was arabic was the 'ahmed' bit :hyper:


Oh! I thought u knew the guy

I personally don't see any harm in knowing a second language. On the contrary, it's actually beneficial.
So what if a person's English is strong than their Arabic? As long as that person is able to communicate in both languages then so be it!

Apparently Steven Speilberg has left the building.

:D

Don’t worry Steve about Arabic…

We don’t always have to speak a language to preserve it, with some people…it safer for the language not to speak it…just like the way we spoil English when we speak it…

If those people cannot speak Arabic then…I don’t see it a big deal, it will be a bit harder to live in Oman without speaking Arabic…

Swahili people


:rolleyes: racist

If they speak it as a second language beside the arabic then that's fine. I care about two things:

1. Mixing two languages. It drives me crazy especially when it's done in a work zone.

2. You consider yourself one of the people of this country and then you can not put two words togather especially when you have lived most of you life in the country!!

Steven Speilberg hahahaha! Good one woody!

Well, I speak both and I tend to speak English more when I know that the person am speaking to can perfectly understand me without feeling weird that I am not speaking Arabic. I speak Arabic when I know the person can not speak English or when I just simply don't feel like using English that day.

Why would you care about opinions? just stick to your own.

:rolleyes: racist

Racist or not he's actually right. I've been in a school where 80% of the school were like that and all they talked was English which made the school reputation among other schools as "The spoilt brats english speaking lack of arabic knowledge School"

To speak or not to speak...... I agree with TooMuchaT on this one. :yes: And I think its really sad that there are groups of ppl here that dont speak Arabic esp when theyre Omani. Sure being bilingual is great, but giving up on your roots is not. And I dont think Steve was being rascist - the truth is the majority of these ppl are Swahili/Zanzibari.

This isnt really about language its about cultural identity, nation building etc. Would you say someone who was born and raised in the UK but could only speak Mandarin was an Englishman? No, I think not!:no: Language contains elements which help define who were are, how we perceive the world. Arabic is a particularly beautiful language (with the exceptions of gh, argh sounds ;)) - its poetic and rich in imagery - just take a look at the poetry. And these elements carry over into the way Arabs live their lives (For the most part) Why would anyone be ashamed to speak it?

I dont think Arabic is endangered though, perhaps here in Muscat and in parts of the UAE but there are still plenty of Arabs and even some non Arabs who love their language and will continue to use it.

No offence, but I dun kno why anyones even talking..
For all we know he could be a dude who speaks English most of the time and got asked the same thing?

I didnt read anywhere in his post what he thought about it? Hes ASKING what we think
So why is that were all so quick to judge this "Steven" lol

Anyways.. Steven my thought on this is.. It's not stupid to each his own
But personally I think it's important to still know our own Language..

I speak English most of the time.. & I'm currently living in an English speaking Country so you get my drift im sure. But I still know Arabic very well because it's important to me, and thats something i'm very proud of.. And also it's something that will continue on with moi FOREVER because I don't want to forget my roots, or the language ;)

What do I think?
No it's not stupid, but you can call it as a bad technique to be teaching the kids how to speak in English as it might just end up messing up the kids language.

I know an Omani girl who's family been speaking English with her for most of her life. It didn't really work well in her situation, as she didn't really get a good grip of the English language, nor is she speaking a perfect Arabic.

there are ways to go with bilingualism.
one easy way is to have one parent speak one language, another parent speak another language.
or have english in the house, arabic outside the house.
that would make the kid distinguish situations and what tongue to use.
also, to learn a language, you have to listen to it in different situations. so it's good to give an hour of english tv every day (good english tv, cbeebies for example) and keep the rest in arabic.
it's possible :)
those who shun/snob a language probably can't speak the language they are snobbing properly themselves.

I think it's upto them. My dad's family speak English all the time because their Arabic is broken and because it's easier for them. But they encourage us to speak Arabic and master it..

My opinion is:

Why do you call yourself "Steven"?

Thats wasnt very mature.You could atleast answer him then question or mock on him.


Steven,For me.. we talk arabic at home while i'm balushi.I do speak balushi some times with friends or my grand mother because the flow of the speech direct us or mybe the line is more funny when its that.

I do speak english at work because my work environment force me to do so.I think we should practice arabic more often at home so our children dont forget the langaue.I noticed that many youth now start talking english more and ignore arabic.

To speak or not to speak...... I agree with TooMuchaT on this one. :yes: And I think its really sad that there are groups of ppl here that dont speak Arabic esp when theyre Omani. Sure being bilingual is great, but giving up on your roots is not. And I dont think Steve was being rascist - the truth is the majority of these ppl are Swahili/Zanzibari.

This isnt really about language its about cultural identity, nation building etc. Would you say someone who was born and raised in the UK but could only speak Mandarin was an Englishman? No, I think not!:no: Language contains elements which help define who were are, how we perceive the world. Arabic is a particularly beautiful language (with the exceptions of gh, argh sounds ;)) - its poetic and rich in imagery - just take a look at the poetry. And these elements carry over into the way Arabs live their lives (For the most part) Why would anyone be ashamed to speak it?

I dont think Arabic is endangered though, perhaps here in Muscat and in parts of the UAE but there are still plenty of Arabs and even some non Arabs who love their language and will continue to use it.

Fully agreed with you. Here in the UK Asians are very fluent in English and have that silly Yorkshire accent but still among themselves they talk Urdu.

Withdrawl the Passport if they dont know how to speak arabic. I suggest that anyone becoming an Omani sits for a test and kids reaching the age of 18 must apply to an arabic speaking and writing test.. and due to that its decided whether they can have the passport or not..

I know that sounds strict, but thats what should be done! its weird finding Omani people going to Government buildings and asking to speak in English in an Arabic Speaking Country

Racist or not he's actually right. I've been in a school where 80% of the school were like that and all they talked was English which made the school reputation among other schools as "The spoilt brats english speaking lack of arabic knowledge School"

my 12 years old brother attends this school and one day he came home n tried to speak in english with us and I smacked him in his back toughly to indicate that its wrong to speak english with ur parents and family, speaks it with people who only do not understand arabic! or in Education and Trivial Affairs.

Honestly I speak Arabic 80% of the time. We speak Arabic at home .. however I tend to speak English with some of my friends ..cause they speak English so it'd be awkward if I replied back in Arabic lol

I think this is a little unfair, especially to say that those who don't have Arabic for a first language are always that same as those who are "westernised" or "beer drinkers".

Oman has a history of emigration and immigration, and is a country of many languages: Persian and Persian-like dialects, Beluch and other South-Asian languages and dialects, Swahili of course, Arabic known by most, English known by many, and of course the oldest languages in Oman are probably the Mahri and Sha7ri languages that Arab Omanis tend to refer to as "Jebali".

So what?! School education in Oman is Arabic for all, so all learn Arabic to some degree if they are from the younger generation. And higher education is in English, so Oman produces graduates who speak at least two languages. Ma sha Allah!

Those people who speak English at home because their parents speak it, know that it is because their parents were the ones who went and learned abroad when there was no education system in Oman, and who came back and helped make Oman prosperous. Yes, many of those people did not learn Arabic well when they were young, because they spoke Swahili at home and English at school when they were young. So what would you rather they taught their children? Is it better that a young person in Oman only knows Swahili and Arabic instead of English and Arabic? How about all three, like many members on this forum?

Arabic and Arab culture are important in Oman, and yes, all young people in Oman now learn Arabic at school so everyone has a common language. But the older generation might not have had that chance, so who can blame them for teaching their children another useful language? Most people would be happy if they had learned two, three or four languages all their lives without having to study!

But having lived in four "Arab" countries (and visited a few more) I believe that although there are many common factors, there are also many individual characteristics in these different places: Omani culture is Omani, not just Arab. And Omani people are one nation, but from many different backgrounds. Yes, people should learn Arabic as best they can if they did not do so when they were young (and naturalised Omanis have to pass a test first). But people can speak whatever language they like at home. It is part of their cultural heritage, so part of Omani heritage to have this variety. And in the long run, I think the whole country benefits.

You should be perfectly fluent in your own language before learning another one .. that's what I think ..
I could barely speak English at home.. Only my sister speaks English.. my mum only understand few words lol

Thanks to my stepfather for made me learn his mother tongue ^^

I prefer speaking arabic...

Arabic is the nation's official language as well as one of the languages in the United Nations (yes so is English)..
my point is, be proud of your native language. Whichever "group" you belong to (swahili, balushi, lawati, etc etc), arabic should be the language at home..

i'm proud of speaking 7 languages but arabic is the language at home!

Withdrawl the Passport if they dont know how to speak arabic. I suggest that anyone becoming an Omani sits for a test and kids reaching the age of 18 must apply to an arabic speaking and writing test.. and due to that its decided whether they can have the passport or not..

I know that sounds strict, but thats what should be done! its weird finding Omani people going to Government buildings and asking to speak in English in an Arabic Speaking Country

Actually, when an expat applies for an Omani passport they do test your arabic! So how come we have to do the test when some lame "Omanis" dont even speak Arabic? If I was an Omani, I'd be embarresed to admit I couldnt speak Arabic! Not only is it the language of your home country, it is the language of your religion..... maybe this explains why certain groups of people dont know the basics about Islam..:rolleyes:

^now that's an excellent idea! why didn't the west think of it before.
next time an arab/african/chinese/polish applies for a eu passport, we do the language test.
saves on doing the roadsigns in their language for their benefit. otherwise they call us racists.

I think this is a little unfair, especially to say that those who don't have Arabic for a first language are always that same as those who are "westernised" or "beer drinkers".

Unfair? Absolutely! Untrue? Mmmmm, we both know that many of those specific groups who are Omanis but cant speak Arabic are culturally, religiously and practically different from the Omanis who do. Fact or fiction? dunno, but based on numbers found in clubs, pubs, scantily or inappropriately dressed girls... I'd say yes

So what?! School education in Oman is Arabic for all, so all learn Arabic to some degree if they are from the younger generation. And higher education is in English, so Oman produces graduates who speak at least two languages. Ma sha Allah

ROFL! LMAO! If only that were true! How many graduates do you know? I know ppl with BA in English who cant speak it! I know plenty of kids who cant speak Arabic or English for that matter! Lets not get into the education system .....

I grew up speaking 3 languages but never at the expense of another language ie my english didnt suffer because I soke Dutch - being bilingual means being able to speak both languages EQUALLY well. Otherwise its just a waste!

What you think about the Omani families who they don’t speak Arabic and they speak English as they say it's the world language!!!! Do you think they are stupid and we need to speak Arabic to save our language?? This style you can find it especially with the Swahili people

I think it's completely their choice to choose the language they want to use to communicate with each other. I don't understand why it bothers people when others choose to use english over arabic.

Unfair? Absolutely! Untrue? Mmmmm, we both know that many of those specific groups who are Omanis but cant speak Arabic are culturally, religiously and practically different from the Omanis who do. Fact or fiction? dunno, but based on numbers found in clubs, pubs, scantily or inappropriately dressed girls... I'd say yes

And they're the same group of people. In your previous post you mentioned how come they don't understand the basics of Islam.

Sadly, that's what is open-minded and free is to them..

I think it's completely their choice to choose the language they want to use to communicate with each other. I don't understand why it bothers people when others choose to use english over arabic.

Would you choose your maid over your mother?

I speak Arabic most of the time but I do slip in phrases in English. I was always in a bilingual school where most of the subjects were taught in English therefore my fluency of the English language is better than Arabic. However, I speak Arabic with my family and most of my friends since we all speak in Arabic. I don't see anything wrong with talking in English though, I speak in English the whole time at Uni with my friend and only switch to Arabic if I know the person I'm speaking to would reply in Arabic.

What you think about the Omani families who they don’t speak Arabic and they speak English as they say it's the world language!!!! Do you think they are stupid and we need to speak Arabic to save our language?? This style you can find it especially with the Swahili people

If they speak it because they just like to communicate in English then i don't think there is any wrong in this, it's their choice. However, if they speak English cos they can't and don't know how to speak Arabic or they speak it with a broken accent then shame on them and they don't deserve to be Omanis.

If they speak it because they just like to communicate in English then i don't think there is any wrong in this, it's their choice. However, if they speak English cos they can't and don't know how to speak Arabic or they speak it with a broken accent then shame on them and they don't deserve to be Omanis.

oh come on...these omanis are real omanis. they have brought a wealth to the country. their education and their productivity. not their fault if they can't speak arabic well. maybe the schools should do a bit more.

haha.. some of you guys say that these don't deserve to be omanis and the passport should be taken away from them..
What a shame! It is a shame to hear educated Omanis saying such things!
I guess we're lucky that the authorities don't have the same opinion :rolleyes:

My opinion:
Their lives, their choices.
as.simple.as.that.

oh come on...these omanis are real omanis. they have brought a wealth to the country. their education and their productivity. not their fault if they can't speak arabic well. maybe the schools should do a bit more.

Oh peh lease schools ? What about family ? Oh or their family doesn't speak Arabic as well. IT'S their fault and they must know how to speak Arabic if they want to live in an Arabic country.

Breiki, the passport they have says Oman is an ARAB country not English. If I go to France and meet a french guy who doesn't know how to speak French then I will really crack up and redicule France as a country saying French people can't speak french. This goes to Oman when people meet an Omani guy who can't speak Arabic. Arabic language is our country identity and if Omanis don't speak it then they have something wrong in their identity.

maybe the english speaking omanis are part of the modern omani identity. they should learn arabic of course, but no need for harsh treatment. after all they love their country enough to stay in it and make it more fruitful. i think bilingualism is the way for oman, keeping the arab identity but opening up to further education and business opportunities.

I have nothing against bilingualism. Am talking about those who can't speak Arabic and they live in an Arab country. Arabic language is a must and if they love their country they will make an effort to learn its language.

I just think you should speak both languages good.. and talk in whichever you prefer..

it is Braiki, son :)

Why would you care what others think? These people chose to be like that, it's up to them! whether people from different countries laugh at them or not, it's their choice!

it is Braiki, son :)

Why would you care what others think? These people chose to be like that, it's up to them! whether people from different countries laugh at them or not, it's their choice!

Oh, I changed one letter in your nick which didn't affect the pronounciation of it and you got a bit mad. Now what do you think of Oman ? When its people break its laanguage upside down addressing guys as girls and vice versa ? That will hurt the country so bad doesn't ? ;)

And it's not about choice here, it's about identity.

I disagree with the harsh comments about how they dont deserve to be Omani ! what if that guy actually did something to help Oman be a better place just cause his arabic is broken dosnt make him bad

compare him with a Omani who speaks pure arabic but has done nothing to prove how much he loves Oman and deserves to be one ..which one do you think will win ?

Omanis have different roots and speak many languages you cant blame them if they were brought up that way :)

you will spell my nick name the way I want you to spell it: the correct way.
You're talking about a different issue, people facing hard time speaking Arabic are different from people who choose to speak English in the first place.
As the former group, its not their fault that they were born in a family and a community that doesn't speak Arabic as the mother tongue and I give both thumbs up for them for trying to speak it.

As for the latter group, it is still their choice, they choose not to learn nor speak Arabic.

PS: In Dhofar, in the mountains, only the recent generations started to speak Arabic. The older generations speak it like indians do, fact.
That doesn't make them less or more Arabs. They probably lived in that area more than your family and my family :) Now tell me what's their identity?

Dear Ross & El Rey

You both prefer Italian over your mother tongue, which is obvious on your NAMES. Shame on you, that's totally un-arabian thing.

5alfanoo

Pull their passports from them?! You are actually not liking HM's rule or the way he treats his people? How dare you question that?

A thing that I love about our Sultan, is that he is not as up tight as you guys are nor as open minded as I am.

He knows that his people's identity isn't their looks, origin, race, or even language; it's their dedication & loyalty to the country.

you will spell my nick name the way I want you to spell it: the correct way.
?

Exactly the answer I want. It exactly goes to Omanis. They must speak Arabic the correct way.

You're talking about a different issue, people facing hard time speaking Arabic are different from people who choose to speak English in the first place.
As the former group, its not their fault that they were born in a family and a community that doesn't speak Arabic as the mother tongue and I give both thumbs up for them for trying to speak it.

As for the latter group, it is still their choice, they choose not to learn nor speak Arabic.

PS: In Dhofar, in the mountains, only the recent generations started to speak Arabic. The older generations speak it like indians do, fact.
That doesn't make them less or more Arabs. They probably lived in that area more than your family and my family :) Now tell me what's their identity

It makes them less Arabs. Fact.
How do you identify an Arab ?

Dear Ross & El Rey

You both prefer Italian over your mother tongue, which is obvious on your NAMES. Shame on you, that's totally un-arabian thing.

But we can speak Arabic which makes us Arabs. These nicks are just extra things we have, at least myself and besides a nick name doesn't determine your identity. Your mother tongue lannguaage does ;)

LMAO @ Spirit :hyper:

El Rey, there's a difference between being an Omani, and being an Arab. Do you know what is it?
It makes them less Arabs? LOL you gotta be kidding me.

Really funny. Google Oman and you will get the answer of it. Something like: Oman is an Arab country. Now my question is: What is the difference between Arab and Arabic ?

na-ah, wrong answer.
What is the difference between being an Omani, and Being an Arab?

Arab is the race. Arabic is the language spoken by that race. Being an Arab doesn't mean you HAVE to speak arabic, do all arabs have to speak arabic, in order to be arabs? I'm talking about the case of Dhofar's mountains here. They speak a language which is much older than Arabic itself.
On the other hand, to be on the topic, an Omani doesn't HAVE to speak Arabic. Being an Omani is a nationality, and that's a hint for the first question ;)

Arab is the race. Arabic is the language spoken by that race.

Huh, man you just keep asking and answering yourself.

do all arabs have to speak arabic, in order to be arabs?

Yes they do. That's why they're called Arabs. Do you know any Arabic country which its people don't speak Arabic?

This may help you: Definition of ' Arab' .

Ar·ab Audio Help /ˈærəb/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ar-uhb] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a member of a Semitic people inhabiting Arabia and other countries of the Middle East.
2. a member of any Arabic-speaking people.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Arab

^^ LOL!! #2 says a member, not an Arab speaking person

Thanx for answering yourself

Welcome. If that what you got from it

Huh, man you just keep asking and answering yourself.



Yes they do. That's why they're called Arabs. Do you know any Arabic country which its people don't speak Arabic?

This may help you: Definition of ' Arab' .



http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Arab

No no you missed my point el rey, let me rephrase the question is: Do ALL people who are recognized as Arabs speak Arabic? I don't think so. Being an Arab is a Race, Speaking Arabic is not mandatory to be an Arab, as a race.
and that is what number 1. is saying in the website u provided, but you decided to bold number 2 because it agrees more with your point.
Now did you get the point or are you going to dance around the point again and again?

No, this is what it actually says.

a member of any Arabic-speaking people.

You summed it up yourself

No no you missed my point el rey, let me rephrase the question is: Do ALL people who are recognized as Arabs speak Arabic? I don't think so. Being an Arab is a Race, Speaking Arabic is not mandatory to be an Arab, as a race.
and that is what number 1. is saying in the website u provided, but you decided to bold number 2 because it agrees more with your point.
Now did you get the point or are you going to dance around the point again and again?

You are repeating yourself and still didn't answer my question ( Dancing around the same point ). Let's make it simple: Oman is an Arab country. Its official language is Arabic because it's the mother tonngue language of its people. Being Arab means speaking arabic. can't speak Arabic means you are not an Arab. Simple as that.

No, this is what it actually says.



You summed it up yourself


I wonder what: a member of any Arabic-speaking people means. :rolleyes:

You are repeating yourself and still didn't answer my question ( Dancing around the same point ). Let's make it simple: Oman is an Arab country. Its official language is Arabic because it's the mother tonngue language of its people. Being Arab means speaking arabic. can't speak Arabic means you are not an Arab. Simple as that.

Nope, you are wrong. According to the website you provided :XD:

A thing that I love about our Sultan, is that he is not as up tight as you guys are nor as open minded as I am.

He knows that his people's identity isn't their looks, origin, race, or even language; it's their dedication & loyalty to the country.

Speak English or broken Arabic in front of HM and see his reaction. You really won't like it ;)

^^ At least he didn't take that as a decision for the whole country, in other words, he is so wise that he didn't make such rules that agree with his personal opinion ;).
Typical people always think that things must be done the want it to be. Rules should be made that they agree with. They don't get the bigger picture!

Then why do you think HM put the first condition to be Omani is to be capable in Arabic language ? He put it very clear in his royal decree regarding the Omani nationality.

You are repeating yourself and still didn't answer my question ( Dancing around the same point ). Let's make it simple: Oman is an Arab country. Its official language is Arabic because it's the mother tonngue language of its people. Being Arab means speaking arabic.can't speak Arabic means you are not an Arab.



Sorry.
I STRONGLY disagree!
I know people who lived in Oman and born in Oman and are Omani BUT they don't speak Arabic AT ALL!
They used to but not anymore.
They don't understand Arabic nor remember any words from it.

there are people who grew up to learn Arabic but don't speak it!

Yah we are talking about those people. Good morning :rolleyes: