Technological Progress, Mass Media and Loss of Emirati Culture

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Globalization is stimulated by technological progress and merge of economies, and the countries that want to take leading positions in the world have to accept multiculturalism and technological advances and utilize these tools for their own development. The United Arab Emirates managed to become one of the leading countries of the world making progress its priority. As a result, the population of the country was forced to adapt to rapid cultural changes and flow of expatriates who came to the country to study and work. The effects of such transformation seem to be damaging for UAE culture because of the loss of the status of Arabic language and overall cultural decay. The question of the Emirati identity appeared in mass consciousness, and most young Emiratis seem to be puzzled with it. So it looks like technological progress and mass media power which brought economic stability revealed a flip side of progress.

Literature Review

Several articles and books written by Arab journalists and writers who know the topic from within were analyzed. Most writers and modern researchers agree on the fact that globalization with its overwhelming technological progress and mass media spread is now inevitable, and the only difference between countries is their ability to cope with the manifestations of globalization (Ahmed, 2011). Large countries, such as the USA or China, manage with globalization trends more effectively because newcomers as well as ideas are imported or are exported gradually, and not noticeable within a large amount of local population. The destiny of smaller countries, such as the UAE is more complex: when a small country with little population decides to follow the way of globalization, there is always a risk of cultural loss or complete diffusion with masses of newcomers. According to Moghaddam, Political Science Professor at UAE university, people in the country now understand that along with priorities they had lost something important in terms of cultural heritage. There is an opinion that most of them want to stop the progress to analyze how the Emirati culture can be saved or restored (Moghaddam, 2010).

Yet other researchers emphasize the fact that the UAE can be regarded as a model country of the Arab world because it managed to overcome typical stereotypes about Arabs and Islam that appeared in the world recently. The United Arab Emirates proved the world that even in such a strict Islamic culture there is a possibility of intellectual and scientific progress (Zahlan, 2014). Such hospitality and deliberate encouragement of foreigners to come and to work in the transformed the Emirates, into “the melting pot” in which all the expatriates find only pieces of Islamic culture adopted to a comfortable level of a globalized country, is absolutely impressive. However, most expatriates also create their own communities in which they try to preserve their specific cultural beliefs. And so the Emirates now reminds a multicultural land and no distinct peculiarities as so many different groups (Pakistani, Indians, Thai, Koreans, Chinese, Americans, and Europeans) feel accepted and comfortable in this neutral environment (Gaid, 2013). The tourists who visit the United Arab Emirates notice international brands in the shopping malls, hear English in the cinemas and in the restaurants and notice people of all types on the streets of Abu Dhabi. And despite the fact that for a native person such situation seems puzzling and controversial because the UAE is viewed as the center of commerce and science where there is no place for Islamic traditions and Arab language. It all became possible because of an open economy, multiple foreign investors and stable politics inside of the country (Silicon Valley, 2010).

The press also supports the idea of globalization: the direction of the country is discussed in media and the benefits of the course are emphasized often. Moreover, English is promoted with the help of the media as more comfortable and prestigious language which every citizen must acquire (Moghaddam, 2010). For many Arabs the question of the language is especially disturbing: many researchers claim that young Arabs are encouraged to learn English as their first language from the early age and consider Arabic their second language. Good command of English can guarantee them successful future to some extent. That is why many Arab families hire nannies from all over the world who do not speak Arabic and send their children to study abroad as soon as it is possible. As a result, next generation of Arabs speaks English freely and finds it inappropriate to use native Arabic language within the country. Most linguists would agree that the country that does not use its language loses the ability to create new forms of culture that is why the status of the Arabic language within the United Arab Emirates is regarded as very unfavorable (Hopkyns, 2014).

According to Gaid, one of the writers for the Gulf News, there appeared a necessity in defining of the Emirati identity. For a long time it was not needed because the Emirati identity did not associate with any privileges or benefits, and today when it does, there are more and more controversies regarding the Emirati identity. However, some researchers suggest that it is too late to shape the Emirati identity and the Emirati cultural heritage now when the country is driven by foreigners predominately. And this national identity often serves as the essence of the nation (2013). So the situation in the United Arab Emirates is controversial, and different people have different opinions on this question, the views can be opposite among inhabitants of the country and those who support progress and its consequences. It looks like the United Arab Emirates is in a very ambivalent position in the modern time: in order to achieve a high economic level and technological development it was obliged to accept globalization as a trend to follow. As a result, local culture and language lost its power and value among the Emiratis, and it leads to cultural decay and confusion about the Emirati identity.

Methodology

The information that is valuable for this research is not accessible easily because it is too general and it reflects current moods in society as well as current trends which are difficult to trace. The history of the UAE as a global country started several decades ago, and it is quite difficult to find reliable data for such a short historical period: most information is till analyzed and interpreted within the nation. Nevertheless, the survey seems to be the most effective and the most accessible means of information accumulation because it allows embracing different layers of population throughout the certain period of time. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that direct survey would not give such fruitful results as media survey. That is why several recent UAE papers and journals were analyzed to find out whether the problem of technological progress and mass media are compatible with Arab culture in mass consciousness and to what extent. It turned out that this issue is rather urgent and most periodicals concentrate on these problems in their articles. It was also possible to encounter several personal opinions of the inhabitants of the United Arab Emirates who described different aspects of this issue using subjective experience.

Language issue, the prevalence of English among young people was among frequent topics for discussion (Zahlan, 2014). Other common topic concerned the Emirati identity crisis because of the low percentage of the Emirati people that constitute only 10% of all the population at the present moment with 90% being foreigners living on the territory of the country. Taking into account emigration trend which is quite stable in UAE it is no wonder that many Emiratis ask themselves about their identity and its value and characteristic features. However, to analyze the real impact of technology and mass media on the Emirati culture it is reasonable to use statistics that is most often available on governmental websites. As it was mentioned before, English is widely used in the United Arab Emirates that is why almost all the information about the state is accessible to the rest of the world. Statistical data analysis that is used for this paper is another important methodological approach that allows evaluating the situations clearly without being influenced by emotional and subjective judgments of Emiratis writing books and articles. And it turns out that statistics shows clearly how technology and mass media are changing the state rapidly.

For instance, it is clear that UAE is one of the most connected nations in Arab Gulf today: almost 85% of the country dwellers are connected to the Internet which means that they can receive the latest information from the world web. Moreover, it is estimated that almost 64% of citizens are prolific mass media users and use such networks as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram frequently. The life of the state is based on technology to such an extent that the government of the UAE is considering the implementation of the electronic form of government, and the majority of the population is ready to support these innovative ideas. Almost 73% of Arabs use English as their second language or consider themselves bilingual. Emigration is also one of the most demonstrative statistical facts about UAE: almost 21 % of the Emirati people live, work or study abroad choosing the United States and the United Kingdom as principal destinations (Zahlan, 2014). Therefore, survey and statistical research are the most effective and applicable methods for studying of this question as they allow analyzing a large amount of the most relevant information critically.

Discussion

So the situation in the United Arab Emirates seems to be complex and controversial. The country is considered a dream of capitalism with his incredibly high level of life and astonishing economic development. The UAE managed to attract investors to the country and turn it into a “little America” making emphasis on tourism, trade, and technology. Such rapid development which was connected to oil discovery influenced Arab population incredibly. It had to adjust to these pleasant yet very unpredictable changes of their cultural life. Culture is often regarded as a set of beliefs, traditions, and material manifestations in the form of clothes or architecture that define certain nation or ethnicity (Gaid, 2013). The population of the UAE which was a typical Arab country with its strict religious background and established a set of routines was forced to adapt to globalization process in all its manifestations. Foreigners started coming to UAE more and more frequently bringing their own languages, customs, and beliefs and the country itself turned into a prototype a “melting pot” of the East (Ahmed, 2011). Mass media also had its impact on Arab culture: accepting and promoting English as basic language in the Emirates it made many people feel uncomfortable using the Arabic language in public places which are attended by expatriates. Young Arabs are especially susceptible to these changes: being forced to learn English as early as possible they soon find it more comfortable and prestigious to use English instead of their native language in social media in particular (Zahlan, 2014).

Technological progress made a country one of the most connected to Internet states which means that the communication became more impartial and less emotional and transformed into a business like communication. Globalization often raises the question of tolerance: the countries that can pass the test for tolerance and embrace multiculturalism can achieve the benefits of globalization. The United Arab Emirates adapted to a flow of foreigners and accepted foreign investments to find out that there is little or no place for its own culture. Religion often remains a core for most Arab countries as this is the factor that holds the nation together. In the Arab Emirates religious manifestations are not common, and some Emirati people do not feel comfortable wearing their national clothes because they claim that they are treated differently than expatriates who are numerous in the country (Moghaddam, 2010). Moreover, national identity was not shaped, and most young Arabs claim that they do not understand what it means to be the Emirati when most common features of the Emirati culture have been lost. However, it was obvious that progress has the other side but for such a small country as the United Arab Emirates, it can be devastating in terms of culture. Substituting their own cultural manifestations and values with global or universal turns the UAE into a country where most citizens lack their identity and use adaptation more than self-actualization.

Conclusion

Progress is unstoppable, and it is impossible to predict the effects but it seems that for the United Arab Emirates they can be predominately negative. Many Emirati people express their concerns regarding the cost of technological progress and economic miracle in their country as it is not clear what can hold a country together if not cultural unity. And will it possible to call a country the place where different groups of expatriates reside? History does not know such precedents, and for the UAE which was created on the basis of common cultural heritage such rapid transformation can be damaging. Therefore, it is necessary to find some balance between progress and preserving a culture and restore the status of the Arabic language and the Emirati culture.

References

Ahmed, K. (2011). “Casting Arabic culture as the ‘other’: cultural issues in the English curriculum”. Teaching and Learning in the Arab World, 14.

Gaid, A. (2013). “The Emirati identity in the age of globalization”,The Gulf News, 67.

Hopkyns, S. (2014). “The effects of global English on culture and identity in UAE”

Moghaddam, F. (2010).The new global insecurity. Chicago: ABC CLIO.

Silicon Valley (2010). News analysis: What the United Arab Emirates (UAE) thinks about globalization. New York: The Levin Institute.

Zahlan, A. (2014). Technology transfer and change in the Arab World, Amsterdam: Elsveirer.

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