Whether you're planning on just visiting Kuwait, or are getting ready to move there for work or studies, you might be wondering about how you will be communicating in the country. Will you need to learn a new language, or will you be widely understood? Can you find communities that speak the same language as you?
Kuwait's population is made up mainly of expats, so you're bound to hear a number of different languages being spoken across the country. Nevertheless, we've put together a detailed guide on all of the languages spoken in Kuwait, as well as where you will find them mostly used.
Arabic
As expected from an Arab country, the official language in Kuwait is Arabic. It is the official language of instruction in public schools, used for teaching all subjects from elementary to secondary levels. When it comes to things such as media, journalism and education, modern standard Arabic is used. However, when it comes to everyday life, a dialect specific to Kuwait is used.
The Kuwaiti dialect differs in different areas of the country. For example, there are differences between the dialects spoken in urban areas and those spoken in rural areas. However, all Kuwaiti dialects, as well as other Arab dialects, can be easily understood by Arabic speakers in Kuwait.
While there are some differences, the Kuwaiti dialect generally shares some similarities as other Gulf dialects but also features words from Indian, English, Persian, Turkish, and Italian due to trade and immigration. For example, the word “Khosh” is used in Persian, Urdu and Kuwaiti to mean “good”.
You can always opt to take Arabic classes in order to become more familiar with the language. The French Institute in Kuwait and the British International Academy both offer Arabic language classes.
While you won't necessarily need to be fluent in Arabic to get by in Kuwait, it's always encouraged to learn a few basic words. Below are some key phrases in the Kuwaiti dialect:
- Al-salam Alaykum - Peace be upon you (a common way to say hello)
- Shloonak (m) / Shloonich (f) - How are you?
- Cham - How much?
- Mashkoor (m) / Mashkoora (f) - Thank you!
- Bel Afyah - Enjoy your meal!
English
As mentioned, you won't need to be fluent in Arabic in order to be able to communicate with people in Kuwait. English is the second most widely spoken language in Kuwait after Arabic. You will notice that even in public schools, English plays a significant role in the educational curriculum in Kuwait. Most schools have made English a compulsory second language.
The chances are that anywhere you go, you will find people who understand and speak English. It is the language which is used in most businesses, and you will even notice that road signs and restaurant signs and menus are written in both Arabic and English. There are a number of local newspapers, television channels and radio channels that are written or broadcast solely in English.
Despite this, it is important to consider that, in some situations, you might need the help of someone who speaks Arabic. For example, if you're going to visit a mechanic, there is a chance that they will only have a basic understanding of English but will need elaboration in Arabic. On some rare occasions, you might face someone like this in police stations or government buildings as well. So it's always good to have an Arabic-speaking friend whom you can call for assistance.
Other languages spoken in Kuwait
As Kuwait has a very diverse population due to its large expat population, you will also find a number of different languages spoken across the country within each specific community.
Most Kuwaiti families have either Saudi, Iraqi, or Iranian descent. A lot of families of Iranian descent tend to want to keep close ties with their ancestors, so they continue to speak Farsi (Persian) at home and amongst each other.
Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog are also widely used within each of these communities. Because so many people speak all of these languages, local radio stations cater to audiences who speak these specific languages.
In summary, will you need to take an in-depth course on the Arabic-Kuwaitian dialect? No—especially if you are moving to Kuwait for work or studies, you will find that you will be communicating mostly in English. However, as mentioned, it doesn't hurt to keep a few key phrases in your pocket, whether it's to further facilitate communication or just to show off a little! It's also a good idea to befriend Arabic speakers if you ever need their assistance with translation.
Overall, as long as you are proficient in English, you will be fine in Kuwait.
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