Arabic language in Israel
The Arabic language in Israel is spoken natively by over 20 percent of the
Among Israeli Arabs in central Israel, the vernacular spoken is similar to Palestinian Arabic, while the Negev Bedouin traditionally speak their own dialect of Arabic. The northern part of the country is more influenced by Lebanese Arabic, especially among the Druze. Many first-generation Mizrahi Jews and Maghrebi Jews (i.e. those who made aliyah to Israel from the Arab world) can still speak Judeo-Arabic dialects, while their Israel-born descendants have overwhelmingly adopted Hebrew as their first (or sole) language.
Before 1948, the official languages of the British mandate of Palestine were English, Hebrew, and Arabic. After Israel's establishment in 1948, English was removed as an official language, leaving Hebrew and Arabic as co-official languages. The 2018 Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People declared Hebrew as the "state's language" and Arabic as a language that has "a special status in the state" whose use "in state institutions or by them will be set in law." It also stated "this clause does not harm the status given to the Arabic language before this law came into effect." Using Arabic in government documents and in the public sphere is still mandated under Israeli law and affirmed by Israel's Supreme Court.
History
For many years the Israeli authorities were reluctant to use Arabic, except when explicitly ordered by law (for example, in warnings on dangerous chemicals), or when addressing the Arabic-speaking population. This has changed following a November 2000
Arabic was always considered a legitimate language for use in the Knesset, but only rarely have Arabic-speaking Knesset members made use of this privilege, as the majority of the members of Knesset are not sufficiently fluent in Arabic.
Arabic lessons are widespread in Hebrew-speaking schools in the seventh through ninth grades. Those who wish to do so may opt to continue their Arabic studies through the twelfth grade and take an Arabic matriculation exam. Many students who graduate
Arabic courses are widespread in the
Israel's large population of Arabic-speakers, its location in the Middle East, decades of globalization, and the Mizrahi heritage of the majority of Israel's Jewish population have all influenced spoken Hebrew in Israel. After Hebrew and English, Arabic songs (sung both by native Arab speakers and by Mizrahi Israelis) are frequently played on the radio. A-WA's debut single, Habib-Galbi, released in 2015, was the first Arabic language song to reach number 1 on Israeli radio and Arabic plays a very prominent role in the "slang" (street language) of Israel's youth.
In addition, when
In March 2007, the Knesset approved a new law calling for the establishment of an Arabic Language Academy similar to the Academy of the Hebrew Language. This institute was established in 2008, its center is in Haifa and it is currently headed by Mahmud Ghanayem.[5][6]
In 2009,
Dialects
The Arab population of Israel can be grouped into three main clusters of Arabic dialects. Among Israeli Arabs in central Israel, the vernacular spoken is similar to
Many first-generation
See also
- Languages of Israel
- Arab citizens of Israel
- Judeo-Arabic languages
References
- ^ Mendel, Y. The Creation of Israeli Arabic. Springer 2014.
- ^ Dr. Dekel, N., Prof. Brosh, H. Languages in Contact: Preliminary Clues on an Emergence of an Israeli Arabic Variety. June 2013.
- ^ "Dr. Sarah Ozacky-Lazar, Relations between Jews and Arabs during Israel's first decade (in Hebrew)".
- ^ "The official text of the Israeli supreme court ruling (in Hebrew)". Archived from the original on 2014-10-28. Retrieved 2015-06-08.
- ^ The law in Hebrew Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine in the Israeli official gazette (publication no. 2092 from 28 March 2007).
- ^ "Arabic Language Academy – Haifa". Arabicac.com. 21 March 2007. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ^ חסון, ניר (6 July 2011). לשכת רה"מ: הצעת כץ למחוק שמות יישובים בלועזית - לא ריאלית. הארץ (in Hebrew). Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ BBC, 13 July 2009, Row over 'standard' Hebrew signs
- ^ חסון, ניר (6 July 2011). לשכת רה"מ: הצעת כץ למחוק שמות יישובים בלועזית - לא ריאלית. הארץ (in Hebrew). Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-4422-4617-1.