Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society

Language is a critical social and cultural identity component, further affecting family values and cohesion. Particularly, the importance of the Arabic language (UAE) cannot be overstated due to its distinct role in positioning the United Arab Emirates as a culturally distinct society. Considering t...

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Main Authors: Bilal Zakarneh, Diana Amin Mohammad Mahmoud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Sociology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1641732/full
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author Bilal Zakarneh
Diana Amin Mohammad Mahmoud
author_facet Bilal Zakarneh
Diana Amin Mohammad Mahmoud
author_sort Bilal Zakarneh
collection DOAJ
description Language is a critical social and cultural identity component, further affecting family values and cohesion. Particularly, the importance of the Arabic language (UAE) cannot be overstated due to its distinct role in positioning the United Arab Emirates as a culturally distinct society. Considering the importance of the Arabic language, this study also examined its role and effect on socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society. Based on the proposition of Cultural Transmission Theory, this study gathered data from 200 young individuals currently residing in Ajman, UAE. Results revealed a positive effect of the Arabic language on socio-cultural identity, implying that it helps recognize local values and social participation and helps with the significance of social laws. The effect of the Arabic language on family values also remained significant, suggesting that it improves family relations, helps understand values and a sense of respect, and strengthens relationships with ancestral heritage. Overall, these results indicated the Arabic language's strong, sportive role in enhancing the sense of commitment and encouraging humility in society. These results also showed that the role of the Arabic language in promoting a sense of unity and social stability further leads to improved social participation. Thus, the role of the Arabic language is acknowledged and highlighted, further emphasizing the role of language as a source of communication and socio-cultural cohesion. Finally, study implications and limitations are discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-56d5ffedfad64096a53e5ddc8de23c512025-08-20T02:52:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752025-08-011010.3389/fsoc.2025.16417321641732Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati societyBilal Zakarneh0Diana Amin Mohammad Mahmoud1Department of Languages and Cultures, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Mathematics, Amman Arab University, Amman, JordanLanguage is a critical social and cultural identity component, further affecting family values and cohesion. Particularly, the importance of the Arabic language (UAE) cannot be overstated due to its distinct role in positioning the United Arab Emirates as a culturally distinct society. Considering the importance of the Arabic language, this study also examined its role and effect on socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society. Based on the proposition of Cultural Transmission Theory, this study gathered data from 200 young individuals currently residing in Ajman, UAE. Results revealed a positive effect of the Arabic language on socio-cultural identity, implying that it helps recognize local values and social participation and helps with the significance of social laws. The effect of the Arabic language on family values also remained significant, suggesting that it improves family relations, helps understand values and a sense of respect, and strengthens relationships with ancestral heritage. Overall, these results indicated the Arabic language's strong, sportive role in enhancing the sense of commitment and encouraging humility in society. These results also showed that the role of the Arabic language in promoting a sense of unity and social stability further leads to improved social participation. Thus, the role of the Arabic language is acknowledged and highlighted, further emphasizing the role of language as a source of communication and socio-cultural cohesion. Finally, study implications and limitations are discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1641732/fullArabic languagesocio-cultural identityfamily valuescultural transmission theoryUnited Arab Emirates
spellingShingle Bilal Zakarneh
Diana Amin Mohammad Mahmoud
Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society
Frontiers in Sociology
Arabic language
socio-cultural identity
family values
cultural transmission theory
United Arab Emirates
title Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society
title_full Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society
title_fullStr Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society
title_full_unstemmed Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society
title_short Investigating the role of Arabic language in sustaining socio-cultural identity and family values in Emirati society
title_sort investigating the role of arabic language in sustaining socio cultural identity and family values in emirati society
topic Arabic language
socio-cultural identity
family values
cultural transmission theory
United Arab Emirates
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1641732/full
work_keys_str_mv AT bilalzakarneh investigatingtheroleofarabiclanguageinsustainingsocioculturalidentityandfamilyvaluesinemiratisociety
AT dianaaminmohammadmahmoud investigatingtheroleofarabiclanguageinsustainingsocioculturalidentityandfamilyvaluesinemiratisociety