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September 30, 2025

Between ‘Yalla’ and ‘LOL’: Emirati Youth Redefine Language and Identity

Dubai, September 29, 2025 — Step into a trendy café in Dubai or Sharjah and listen closely. Conversations float across tables, starting in Arabic, drifting into English, peppered with digital slang like “LOL,” before circling back to “yalla, let’s go.” For Emirati youth, this is not confusion — it’s the new normal.

This bilingual rhythm reflects a generational shift where globalisation meets deep cultural roots. For many, switching between languages is as natural as breathing.

Code-Switching as a Way of Life

“I usually speak a mixture of Arabic and English in conversations,” says Sama Alzarooni, 19, from Sharjah. “Some ideas are easier to express in English, others in Arabic, so switching feels automatic. It’s our normal.”

For Omar Almur, 22, from Dubai, English often takes the lead, but Arabic still punctuates daily life: “Some words just come faster in Arabic — like la, haih, or mashallah. They’re almost impossible to replace.”

Linguists call this practice code-switching — alternating between languages depending on context, emotion, or clarity. In the UAE, it carries an extra twist with “Arabeezy”, the use of English letters and numbers to represent Arabic online.

Omar admits Arabeezy has “taken the Arab youth by storm, especially in the last couple of tech-driven years.”

What the Studies Say

Researchers have long studied this phenomenon in the UAE.

Eman Saleh Akeel’s 2016 study found Emiratis often switch languages to elaborate on ideas, keep listeners engaged, or showcase expertise.

Noor Al Kaddour and Rana Kaddoura’s 2019 paper noted that code-switching occurs across age groups but is most common among youth in casual settings.

Dr. Wafa’ Hazaymeh of Al Ain University observed that code-switching in classrooms can even enhance learning, creating a friendlier environment for students.

Balancing Identity and Modernity

But the big question remains: does this linguistic juggling threaten cultural identity?

For Sama, it’s about balance. “Using English more often might make us feel slightly distant from our cultural roots. But Arabic connects us to culture and religion. English prepares us for the world.”

Omar agrees, but insists Arabic is irreplaceable: “English is a tool for success. But Arabic is how I speak with my grandmother, how I pray, and how I connect to tradition. Without Arabic, my identity would feel incomplete.”

Classrooms, Cafés, and Careers

English dominates higher education and professional spaces, especially in international universities. “At university, English is more dominant, especially in classes,” Sama explains. “But when we chat with friends, it’s usually Arabic or a mix of both.”

Omar, who attends a private American university in Dubai, echoes the point: “It’s impossible to get by without English. But when Emiratis gather, Arabic comes back naturally.”

Experts see this as resilience rather than loss. A Frontiers in Sociology study concluded that speaking Arabic strengthens youth identity and ties them to ancestral heritage. Similarly, Altalqani et al. found that switching languages is not random but deliberate — a way to express identity, belonging, or emotions that fit better in one language.

Looking Ahead: A Bilingual Future

Both youth and experts agree: the UAE’s linguistic future is bilingual.

“Arabic will always remain important because it’s part of our culture, religion, and daily life,” says Sama. “The future is bilingual.”

Omar adds: “Arabic is slowly shifting but still central. English may dominate business and social media, but Arabic will always be the anchor of our identity.”

Government initiatives like the National Arabic Language Strategy aim to boost Arabic in education and digital platforms. Yet Emirati youth themselves already embody this balance, creating a cultural remix that blends tradition with modernity.

Back in that café, the mix of “bro,” “LOL,” and “yalla” isn’t linguistic confusion. It’s fluency of a new kind — a reflection of Emirati youth carving out space between heritage and global culture.