Dr. Schultz: Or How Starbucks Is Destroying the Arabic Language

Arabic, quite possibly one of the richest and descriptive languages still alive today, is currently occupied by the same Western forces that influence every facet of life including the embedment of foreign tongues into local vernacular. It is not something that would be as troubling as it is today if it was adopted by the masses in a proper manner, but the assimilation of English into Kuwaiti culture is being done quite haphazardly.

This is not a recent phenomenon either. The common misconception is that the integration of English started with the introduction of IRC and the various instant-messaging programs that are widespread today. However, the gradual alterations of the Arabic language started long before that.

Throughout history, Kuwaiti vernacular was always influenced by cultures surrounding the small, Arabian Gulf country. This was mainly because of Kuwait’s propensity for trade. Historically, Hindi was adopted into the local Arabic flavor, mostly because Kuwaiti merchants at the time used to trade with India and the various countries in the Far East. Yet now, Kuwait is doing most of its trade with countries from the West, where English is the predominant language. As such, kids today (and to a lesser extent, adults as well) are growing up with Western motifs and themes surrounding them. Whereas before children grew up watching Captain Majed and Grendizer now they watch Hannah Montana and High School Musical. Trade has made this possible, of course, but in this case, the commodity being traded is cultural preference.

With widespread Internet usage, the world is becoming a global village. Millions of people around the world interact with one another without even leaving their homes. Such relations lead to the exchange of ideas and beliefs, a cornerstone of any culture. More often than not, such channels of communication primarily flow and stay afloat with English, which is rapidly becoming (or has become even) the language of the world even with one billion Chinese trying to prove otherwise.

With the majority of Kuwaitis connected to the Internet in some form or another, the language of the Internet is adopted and assimilated into everyday life. In some cases - albeit rather extreme ones - Arabic is snubbed and the language of the Internet becomes the only language being expressed. In that sense, language is quickly becoming a matter of convenience instead of the rich form of expression that it is, and that is probably attributed to the generation’s sense of entitlement and need for instant gratification. Language is just a means to an end.

The filtering of English into the Kuwaiti vernacular can also be attributed to mainstream media. From the tube to the silver screen, alien ideals and cultures are broadcast daily into Kuwaiti homes, often becoming the only way the present generations gain a perspective into the concept of culture. In his article for The New York Times entitled “Watching ‘Friends’ in Gaza: A Culture Clash,” Michael Klinemann writes about a part of the Gaza strip that is ruled by Hamas, where young Gazans shun the orders of their rulers while they embrace a tabooed realm. Klinemann writes, “What’s on satellite television and the Internet, on tapes and compact discs, is a window to the world beyond the armored checkpoints and a link to Arab society elsewhere and, crucially, to the West.” While Kuwait hasn’t had to deal with armored checkpoints since 1991, Klinemann could be talking about any other part of the Middle East, Kuwait included.

In a sense, the incorporation of English into the Kuwaiti vernacular is great for the country. This generation is better for it. However, the real trouble is that it is no longer just the merging of two distinct languages but the short-sighted belittlement of one in particular. In the rush to adopt Western values and themes - and by extension the English language - Kuwaitis are disregarding the richness of their language and native culture, two elements that make up one's identity and sense of self and being.

The burgeoning Kuwaiti generation today is slowly and sadly becoming an ironic carbon copy of the American one, a worldwide Generation Starbucks. Literary scholars - and fans of Moby Dick - know that the origin of the coffee giant's name is from a character in the classic novel by Herman Melville. Starbuck is the chief mate of Captain Ahab, and the only one who opposed his quest of the great whale. Ahab, of course, died in his quest.

Hopefully, the same will not be said of the Arabic language.