A dual lecture by H.E. Nabil Hajlaoui, French Ambassador to Oman and renowned expert in Arabic language studies, and Pr. Frédéric Lagrange, Director of CEDEJ (multidisciplinary research institute in Cairo) and Professor at Sorbonne University.

Interest in Arabic dates back centuries. Under François I, it was taught at the Collège des Lecteurs Royaux as part of biblical studies, and in 1669, Louis XIV founded the École des Jeunes de Langue to reduce reliance on Ottoman translators.

French has incorporated many Arabic-origin words, either through Spanish or, more recently, via slang shaped by colonial history and immigration. However, the reasons for learning Arabic have shifted over time, reflecting cultural, social, and ideological changes.

A key question remains: Which Arabic should be learned, and for what purpose?

IN FRENCH

Contact info@cfoman.org to register!