Linguistic code-switching new norm for young Saudis

The blending of languages can be seen not as a dilution of heritage, but a reflection of its outward-looking generation. (Shutterstock/KSGAAL)
The blending of languages can be seen not as a dilution of heritage, but a reflection of its outward-looking generation. (Shutterstock/KSGAAL)
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Updated 16 July 2025
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Linguistic code-switching new norm for young Saudis

Linguistic code-switching new norm for young Saudis
  • Expert tells Arab News that ‘multi-dimensional issue’ deserves recognition

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s increasingly globalized society, especially among young people in major cities, there is an easy blending of languages, often switching between Arabic and English in the same conversation.

This phenomenon, known as code-switching, has become a linguistic norm that reflects shifting social dynamics, culture and identity.

A 2024 study conducted by Kais Sultan Mousa Alowidha at Jouf University found that bilingual Saudis often switch between Arabic and English depending on the context, particularly in casual or professional settings.




The blending of languages can be seen not as a dilution of heritage, but a reflection of its outward-looking generation. (Supplied)

Saudi students who have studied or grown up abroad find themselves flipping between languages almost unconsciously.

Abdullah Almuayyad, a Saudi senior at the University of Washington, Seattle, who has spent more than half his life in the US, spoke to Arab News about his experiences with both languages.

“Comfort really depends on context,” he said. “Day-to-day I’m equally at ease in either language, but the setting matters.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh has launched several initiatives to strengthen Arabic fluency, both for native speakers and non-native learners.

• A 2024 study from Jouf University found that bilingual Saudis often switch between Arabic and English depending on the context, particularly in casual or professional settings.

In business settings, he defaults to English because of his education and professional exposure, but casual or family settings feel more natural in Arabic.

“Sometimes my friends tease me because I’ll begin a sentence in Arabic, hit a complex business concept, and flip to English mid-stream.”

This mental switching, he explained, is often tied to topic-specific language associations.

Some topics are assigned to a specific language in his brain. “Once the topic surfaces, the corresponding language follows automatically.”

At an institutional level, efforts to preserve and promote Arabic are gaining traction in Saudi Arabia.

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh has launched several initiatives to strengthen Arabic fluency, both for native speakers and non-native learners.

Through academic partnerships, digital tools, and training programs, the academy is playing a key role in ensuring Arabic remains a vibrant and accessible language.

The institute reflects a broader national push to reinforce cultural identity amid the linguistic shifts brought on by globalization.

Majd Tohme, senior linguist at SURV Linguistics in Riyadh, told Arab News that code-switching is “a very multi-dimensional issue.”

He emphasized that the debate should not hinge on whether code-switching is good or bad.

“What we need to ask ourselves is, does code-switching work in the everyday context? And if it works, isn’t that the purpose of any linguistic pattern?”

He added that language purism might miss the point entirely.

“You don’t have to get involved in that language puritanism … and code-switching is not really something new. Languages are living organisms that evolve,” he explained.

Many words we consider native today, he noted, have foreign origins, such as from Persian or European languages, particularly in science and technology.

Still, there are concerns about the erosion of Arabic. Tohme acknowledged the threat but said it is not exclusive to Arabic.

“It is a threat to all languages,” he said, especially in the era of globalized communication where the internet has become a shared space dominated by English.

“You now have one internet that the world is sharing,” he explained. “It’s like one huge playground where you have 8 billion people trying to communicate with each other.”

And yet, there are signs of balance.

Almuayyad, for instance, actively challenges himself and his peers to preserve Arabic fluency.

“In eighth grade, even though my friends and I preferred English, we agreed to speak only Arabic until it felt natural,” he said. “Later, when my Arabic caught up, I switched and spoke only English with friends who wanted practice.”

For many, especially in Saudi Arabia’s larger cities, bilingualism no longer means choosing between one language over the other.

The constant nudge to challenge each other keeps both languages active and growing.

The Jouf University study found that bilingual Saudis strongly identify with both languages and do not believe that speaking English negates their cultural identity.

It also concluded that code-switching is often required in larger cities due to the abundance of non-Arabic speakers in public and professional environments.

Therefore, code-switching, especially in the Kingdom, appears to be less about identity loss and more about functionality.

As Saudi Arabia opens up globally and embraces multiculturalism under Vision 2030, this blending of languages could be seen not as a dilution of heritage, but a reflection of its outward-looking generation.

According to Tohme, the psychological impact of going abroad for a few years then returning to your home country also cannot be understated.

Students develop a certain nostalgia for home while spending so many years abroad speaking extensively in a foreign language. They may develop the determination to make a conscious effort to strengthen their Arabic-language skills again.

Almuayyad is someone who can relate to that and says if he had spent his whole life in the Kingdom, his language development might not have been that different.

“I see a lot of people in Saudi who use English freely because global media and online content are so dominant,” he explained.

Yet, he admits that growing up in one place can limit the push to step outside of your linguistic comfort zone. “My exposure to two cultures forced me to practice that stretch constantly.”

 


Saudi FM: Conference to implement two-state solution reflects Kingdom’s position on Palestinian cause

Saudi FM: Conference to implement two-state solution reflects Kingdom’s position on Palestinian cause
Updated 3 min 18 sec ago
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Saudi FM: Conference to implement two-state solution reflects Kingdom’s position on Palestinian cause

Saudi FM: Conference to implement two-state solution reflects Kingdom’s position on Palestinian cause
  • Saudi Arabia, in partnership with France, is chairing a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue
  • Saudi minister said the conference, to be held later this week, reflects the kingdom's firm stance towards the Palestinian cause

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan announced on Sunday a  conference in partnership with France that calls for recognizing a Palestinian state and implementing the two-state solution.

The Saudi minister said the conference, to be held later this week, reflects the kingdom's firm stance towards the Palestinian cause and its efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace. 

Prince Faisal said: “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with France, is chairing a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution at the ministerial level, which will be held this week at the United Nations headquarters with wide international participation.” 

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly.

Saudi Arabia welcomed Macron's “historic decision.” 

“The Kingdom reiterates its call for all countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar positive steps and adopt serious positions that support peace and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.” 

 


Operation to separate Syrian conjoined twins begins in Saudi hospital

Operation to separate Syrian conjoined twins begins in Saudi hospital
Updated 27 July 2025
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Operation to separate Syrian conjoined twins begins in Saudi hospital

Operation to separate Syrian conjoined twins begins in Saudi hospital
  • The Saudi medical teams conducted extensive and accurate examinations of the twins ahead of the operation

RIYADH: A medical team from the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program on Sunday are carrying out an operation to separate Syrian conjoined twin girls in Riyadh. 

The procedure to separate Celine and Eileen Abdulmunem Al-Shabli is taking place at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. 

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who heads the surgical team and is an advisor at the royal court and supervisor general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, said the twins come from a Syrian family who sought refuge in Lebanon and had arrived in Saudi Arabia last December.  

Al-Rabeeah said the mother was pregnant with triplets, two conjoined girls and one healthy, non-conjoined boy. On Feb. 28, 2024, the mother gave birth to the triplets in a caesarean section at Rafik Hariri Hospital in Beirut, he said.

The twins are now one year and five months old. Their combined weight is 14 kilograms.

He explained that the Syrian conjoined twins arrived from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia on Dec. 29, 2024, in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. 

The Saudi medical teams conducted extensive and accurate examinations of the twins ahead of the operation.

The operation is expected take about nine hours, and is being carried out in six stages, with the participation of 24 consultants and specialist doctors.


Saudi royal reserve welcomes two Nubian ibex

Saudi royal reserve welcomes two Nubian ibex
Updated 27 July 2025
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Saudi royal reserve welcomes two Nubian ibex

Saudi royal reserve welcomes two Nubian ibex
  • First successful breeding is milestone in Kingdom’s rewilding efforts

RIYADH: Two Nubian ibexes have been born at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, marking the first successful breeding of the goat species as part of the reserve’s rewilding program, part of the ongoing restoration of 23 native species in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by the reserve’s development authority.

The Nubian ibex is listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 5,000 mature individuals remaining worldwide.

Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the reserve, told Arab News: “The reserve’s rewilding strategy follows scientific best practices. Historically native species are reintroduced and managed by vets and specialist rangers.”

The two new Ibex kids with herd, part of the reserve’s rewilding program. (Supplied)

He added: “This includes a controlled diet and constant monitoring to ensure optimal breeding conditions. Programs are underway to restore ibex ecosystems to support viable wild populations under ranger protection.”

The Nubian ibex is the smallest of five ibex species and is well adapted to Saudi Arabia’s arid mountains. Their concave hooves help them navigate steep cliffs, making the reserve’s terrain a suitable habitat for them. Ancient petroglyphs in the area document the ibex’s historical presence there.

Zaloumis said the births mean that four species have now been successfully bred in the program: the Nubian ibex, the Arabian oryx, the sand gazelle, and the mountain gazelle.

The reserve’s sandstone massif Jabal Qaraqir, currently on Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, provides refuge for a number of species, with its cliffs and Wadi Al-Disah Valley offering year-round water and natural protection.

The reserve’s Integrated Development Plan “ensures a science-based approach to habitat restoration,” according to a statement. So far, 11 of the 23 native species selected for reintroduction have returned to the wild, with populations growing through collaborative conservation efforts, including a partnership with the National Center for Wildlife.

The 24,500 sq. km reserve extends from the Harrat lava plains to the Red Sea, linking NEOM, Red Sea Global, and AlUla. It hosts the Public Investment Fund’s Wadi Al-Disah project and Red Sea Global’s Destination AMAALA.

The reserve covers 15 different ecosystems. And while it represents just one percent of the Kingdom’s land and 1.8 percent of its marine area, it contains more than half of the Kingdom’s species — making it among the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.

The reserve is “focused on restoring and conserving natural and cultural environments, including reintroducing 23 historically native species such as the Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian oryx, and Lappet-faced vulture” as part of its rewilding program.

 


Young artist recreates memories with miniature homes

Young artist Shahd Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style. (Supplied)
Young artist Shahd Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style. (Supplied)
Updated 27 July 2025
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Young artist recreates memories with miniature homes

Young artist Shahd Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style. (Supplied)
  • As cities transform, Shahd Al-Haq is helping Saudis reconnect to the past using art

JEDDAH: As Saudi cities embrace rapid transformation and modernization, one young artist is lovingly recreating the homes, streets and stories of old neighborhoods in miniature form, to make sure their spirit is not lost in the process of change.

Shahd Nabil Jad Al-Haq, a 20-year-old artist with Palestinian roots and a Makkawi upbringing, is preserving the soul of disappearing communities through intricate models that celebrate memory, culture and identity.

Her project, “CYAN,” turns nostalgia into something you can see, hold and feel.

Jad Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. (Supplied)

“A house is not just walls … it’s moments and memories,” she told Arab News.

In recent years, entire neighborhoods in Makkah and Jeddah have been cleared to make way for smart, efficient and modern developments.

While these decisions are required from an urban planning perspective, the emotional toll has been heavy for some.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shahd Jad Al-Haq, a 20-year-old artist with Palestinian roots and a Makkawi upbringing, is preserving the soul of disappearing communities through intricate models.

• One of her most touching projects was a model of a family house that was demolished in Jeddah’s old Hindawiyah district.

People — Saudis and non-Saudis alike — have lost more than just buildings; they have lost memories, neighbors, childhood alleyways and the homes that shaped their lives.

Young artist Shahd Jad Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style. (Supplied)

Amid this sense of loss, Jad Al-Haq found her calling.

“My dream was to study architecture. But through dioramas, I found my own way to connect that dream with art,” she said. “‘CYAN’ reflects who I am, how I feel and the places I miss.”

Jad Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style.

Jad Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. (Supplied)

“My love for old homes and everyday details comes from the world I grew up in. It’s something that shows clearly in my work,” she said.

The first model she created was of her family’s old home, which she gave to her father as a surprise.

“His reaction shocked me; his eyes filled with tears. He said I had taken him back in time. That’s when I realized this was more than just art; it was a responsibility,” she added.

My love for old homes and everyday details comes from the world I grew up in. It’s something that shows clearly in my work.

Shahd Jad Al-Haq, Artist

Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. That is when she launched “CYAN” as a cultural, artistic and business project.

Jad Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. (Supplied)

She works with materials like wood, cardboard, acrylic and foam, using fine sculpting tools and modern techniques like 3D printing.

“I don’t just work on how things look; I work on how this model will make people feel,” Al-Haq said. “The sound of a door, the sunlight through a window … I want to bring people back to their homes emotionally, not just visually.”

Her project has garnered considerable attention, both within and outside the Kingdom. She has received work requests from many countries and regions, including Kuwait, the UAE, Europe and even the US, from people who long for the homes they once lived in.

One of her most touching projects was a model of a family house that was demolished in Jeddah’s old Hindawiyah district.

“The reaction was unforgettable. There were tears and memories. It was a moment I’ll always carry with me,” Jad Al-Haq said.

Abdulaziz Al-Harbi, who received a miniature of his former Makkah home, said: “Honestly, I got goosebumps. I never thought a small model could move me this much.

“The tiny outdoor stairs reminded me of Eid, of my mom’s voice, of the fan shaking the ceiling. This is more than just a model; it’s a living memory. I told my family: ‘Look, this isn’t just a picture, it’s our actual house.’ Some of them cried, especially the older ones.”

Samia, known as Umm Suleiman from Jeddah, lived in her home for more than 50 years before it was demolished.

She said: “I was amazed, so happy and so thankful. This model brought back all my memories, my parents, my brothers, everything. The house was destroyed and turned into bare land, but this piece preserved the best part of my life.

“I even held a small party to unveil it like a treasure. Everyone cried, from the nostalgia, the love and the childhood we remembered. Shahd took us back 50 years. May she be as happy as she made us.”

Jad Al-Haq dreams of turning her project into a permanent exhibition that brings back the lost neighborhoods of Makkah and Jeddah.

“I want visitors to walk through the models and feel like they’re back in those streets. I want to preserve the memory and the sentimental value that these locations once had. We have to see the stories and the culture that’s still alive in our memories,” she said.

She hopes to integrate augmented reality to deepen the experience, and plans to launch workshops to share her techniques with others.

“A house is not just a place. It’s memory and identity. I hope my art tells everyone: ‘Your memories are worth preserving’,” she said.

 


Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ammariyah strawberry farms offer slice of rural bliss

Visitors can gain insight into sustainable farming while enjoying the beauty of the rural environment at Al-Ammariyah farms.
Visitors can gain insight into sustainable farming while enjoying the beauty of the rural environment at Al-Ammariyah farms.
Updated 26 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ammariyah strawberry farms offer slice of rural bliss

Visitors can gain insight into sustainable farming while enjoying the beauty of the rural environment at Al-Ammariyah farms.
  • Locations reconnect visitors with landscape

RIYADH: In the serene natural landscape of Al-Ammariyah, northwest of Riyadh, strawberry farms have emerged as ecotourism destinations that bring together nature, agriculture, and family-friendly entertainment.

These farms offer hands-on experiences that reconnect visitors with the land, transforming traditional agricultural work into interactive activities, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Visitors can gain insight into sustainable farming while enjoying the beauty of the rural environment at Al-Ammariyah farms. (SPA)

From strawberry picking to learning about the crop’s cycle, visitors gain insight into sustainable farming while enjoying the beauty of the rural environment.

The geographical features of Al-Ammariyah, including fertile soil and moderate terrain, provide ideal conditions for strawberry cultivation.

FASTFACT

Al-Ammariyah, northwest of Riyadh, have evolved in recent years into vibrant destinations that host family events and field trips, including strawberry picking.

Modern technologies such as hydroponics and greenhouse farming enhance efficiency and demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability.

Visitors can gain insight into sustainable farming while enjoying the beauty of the rural environment at Al-Ammariyah farms. (SPA)

The farms have evolved in recent years into vibrant destinations that host family events and field trips.

They also offer live workshops on organic farming, and cookery sessions on strawberry-based products like juices, jams, and dessert.

Rustic-style cafes and shaded rest areas overlook the orchards, creating a tranquil space where visitors can unwind and enjoy the scent of fresh strawberries and the surrounding serenity.

Designed with all age groups in mind, the farms promote learning through entertainment and reflect a growing trend in tourism that combines environmental awareness with leisure and education.