Alchemy

I ask this as the majority of Arabic learning forums I've come across are subcategories of Muslim forums.

What is the general consensus of non-Muslims learning Arabic amongst those of the Arab World?

Of course, this may be down to my ignorance, but many of us here in Europe, assosicate the language with the religion. I'm agnostic and intend to learn the language for purely the love of it and for no other reason. What are your reasons for learning? etc.

If I happen to find a lesson online, I'll always find a religious reference - I suppose this is something I'll have to accept. I have, however, heard that even secular Arabs tend to use those renown religious expressions.

I'd like to hear some thoughts about this.

Andrew

bigbossmatt

I am non-muslim and I am teaching myself Arabic. I think that in choosing to learn Arabic, we have to acknowledge that it is a very religious orientated language, and therefore native speakers of it often say inshallah, and refer to Allah. I think it is just part of the parcel. But yeh... I'm not a muslim.

Asminha

Not all courses online have a religious orientation. You can find some courses without great reference to God or Islam. However, if you get in contact with Arabic speakers, mostly Muslims (note: not all Arabs are Muslim and not all Muslims are Arab), you will notice - indeed - that we often use phrases such as God willing (inshallah), and thank God (alhamdolillah).. But it's not because you're learning Arabic that you have to learn about Islam. It's just that language and culture are linked to each other, and when you learn Arabic you tend to meet people from the Arab world, and know about their habits, way of talking and that reaches religion too.

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laintjelain

i totally agree with you asminha
One good reason for me to learn arabic is that i've got a friend who lives in Tunesia. I've allready visited his family, but only a view of them speak french.
His parents wanted to say so many things to me, but i couldn't understand them and because i was in their country and house, i thought it might be polite to learn some arabic. Once i started learning, i totallt fell in love with this language. I do not speak it cery well yet, but i'm learning more and more words

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Asminha

Of course it's a religious expression, not everybody believes in God. We take it for granted as Muslims as it's part of our beliefs, but some people get upset when you use this expression when they don't believe in God.

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Moroccan Vocabulary - Vocabulaire Marocain

petitejaponaise

I learn arabic to learn my friend's language (how original ! ). I'm also a non-muslim learning arabic, and I don't believe in God either. But learning about (at least a bit of) Islam helps to better understand. Religious expressions in everyday life are still disturbing to me, and we have to find a way that every body feels comfortable.
And I loooove the arabic calligraphy too.