The United Arab Emirates (UAE) presents a complex sociolinguistic landscape where Arabic, the official language, intersects with the widespread use of English and a wide array of community languages. This paper examines how residents of the UAE navigate language choices in everyday life, and how these decisions reflect broader negotiations of identity, belonging, and cultural positioning. Based on mixed-methods research, the study considers language not only as a communicative tool but also as a marker of social affiliation and symbolic value within a multicultural society. English functions as a practical lingua franca across professional, educational, and public domains, often associated with notions of modernity and global mobility. Conversely, Arabic retains deep cultural and symbolic significance, though its usage is often limited or uneven—particularly among younger generations and expatriate communities—raising concerns about linguistic continuity and cultural preservation. Grounded in sociolinguistic and intercultural communication frameworks, the paper argues that multilingualism in the UAE is a dynamic and context-driven phenomenon shaped by institutional structures, social hierarchies, and affective connections to language. The findings highlight the need for inclusive language planning that supports communicative accessibility while safeguarding cultural and linguistic heritage. This research contributes to broader global conversations on how rapidly globalizing, multilingual societies—particularly in postcolonial contexts—can navigate the tensions between linguistic diversity and cultural cohesion.

Authors:
Ahmad Al-Issa, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ahmad Al-Issa is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at American University of Sharjah in United Arab Emirates

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