Sure, English is the world's business language. More Chinese are learning English right now than there are Americans in the U.S. But China has struck a bilingual balance. Its research universities teach some of the world's brightest minds in Chinese. Professor Wardeh finds much for Arab nations to admire in this model: "If you've got your head screwed on right," she tells me, "you'll do it like the Chinese."
Arabic is a beautiful language to hear, and Osman Sultan, the CEO of wireless giant Du, told me he's seen elites learning new Arabic words, post-Arab Spring, because they want to connect with an emerging regional identity. Tom Speechley of UAE-based Abraaj Capital says Arabic language content is the fastest growing segment of the Internet, thanks to surging mobile use among the masses. Here's hoping that surge helps convince government leaders and the upwardly mobile that Arabic is part of their economic future, not a cultural relic of the past.
Erin Burnett is the anchor of CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront.
