Is it Necessary for Expats to Learn Basic Arabic to live in Dubai?

People who are going to reside in a different state or country (no matter what the purpose is), are expected to know the basics of the local language. Actually, knowing English is okay in the countries where the primary means of communication is English. But the countries where the primary medium of communication is other than English, knowing the local language is not an advantage - it is a necessity. This is the main reason why expats need to have basic Arabic language skills to stay in Dubai. 

Communication with Locals is A Need

Dubai has often been selected as a place to get placed or have extensive career growth. A number of people from different locations from the entire world are seen to settle down in Dubai for numerous job options. Now, these people may think that English will fulfill all their needs, but they are wrong. 

The reality is English will only fulfill all their professional needs - they can handle all the professional documents, meetings, and everything else with their English skills. But out of the professional lives, the expats will have a social life too. For example, they will need grocery shopping, or they may need to call neighbors for some urgent help. Here, English will not serve them at all. 

Settling down in a new place means that the person will have to be socially connected with locals. Here, knowing a local language is essential.

 

Negligible Chance of Getting in Trouble for Lingual Barrier

In a different country, expats are more likely to get in trouble. This is because the rules and regulations of that country are not same as his/her own country. It takes time for them to get used to the new things in the new place. 

Knowing local language is nonetheless an advantage in this matter because whenever an expat gets in trouble, they can communicate with a local and resolve the matter. Not knowing the local language is more likely to create confusion and misunderstanding. People, who are not comfortable with the local language, feel reluctant to speak up and it intensifies their miscommunication. But understanding and speaking the local language will prevent this type of problem. 

Better Understanding of Local Culture 

Staying in a place is staying with a community. It becomes easier to stay with that community once the expat learns to understand the culture, rituals, and traditions of the community. Learning Arabic will help the expat to understand all these in an easier way. 

On the other hand, it becomes easier for the locals to accept the expat faster. Local people don't consider the expat as an outsider once they find that the expat knows their local language. As a result, the daily life of the expat becomes easier than usual. 

Easier Travel 

No matter how smart an expat is, during travel, they will always need the assistance of the locals. Here, it is not necessary that the local shop owner will know English to help the expat. Instead, there is a possibility that the local people are unable to understand what the expat is actually asking.  

As a result, the local people overlook the query of the expats and expats get an unsatisfactory trip. To prevent such possibilities, it is better to know the local language. Local people of Dubai will definitely help foreign people who can speak Arabic as they can easily connect with locals. Without the knowledge of Arabic, this connection will lack and it will create helplessness. The expat, as well as the locals, will form hatred and misconception about each other. 

Better Exploring

Staying in Dubai for professional purposes does not mean that an expat cannot travel there. To travel we all take help of travel blogs or planners. But here, you will get the list of common places only. 

To know the local off-beat places or the unexplored or least explored places, locals can guide them in the best way. So, if you have a traveler in you and you want to go for weekend trips every month, start learning Arabic as soon as possible. You will need the guidance of locals to find out not just the best offbeat places, but signature local dishes, music, art, and much more. So, practice how to communicate with them before packing your bags. 

Better Career Opportunities 

Knowing the local language will not just benefit the non-professional tasks - it will equally benefit the professional life of the expats. The expats may need to engage in a business deal with a local business tycoon. Similarly, the expat may need to communicate with local corporate people to ensure the progress of their company. 

Expats who are placed in public service jobs also may need to communicate in the local language to provide sufficient information to customers. Therefore, knowing the local language is beneficial for all. A basic level of proficiency is a must in the local language. This is why people who are planning to settle in Dubai, learn Arabic beforehand. 

In addition to these, the management too seems to rely on the expat who has a basic knowledge of Arabic. This makes the career path of the expat smoother than ever. If the expat is qualified enough and holds excellent credentials and communication skills in English and local language, positional hikes will not take much time. Within a very short time, the expat can achieve a position in the management team because of his/her language skills. 

To conclude, knowing Arabic is important for the expats who are planning to live in Dubai for both long and short-term. Arabic skills will help them in multiple ways by making their daily stay easy and hassle-free, improving their connection with local people, expanding travel and career opportunities, and much more. So, learn Arabic before staying in Dubai.