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Which language is better for a career in International Affairs: Arabic or Farsi?

I can study either but I'm not sure which would be more beneficial in the long-run. #international-affairs #international-relations

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Carly’s Answer

One of the trade-offs between languages is between how many people speak the language and how in demand you will be if you do. Arabic is a more common language, making it a better bet in most cases, but because there are fewer people who speak Farsi, it might make you stand out or make you particularly valuable. Consider what type of work you would like to do though. Are you especially interested in regions that speak one of the languages, or are you looking for the language that will give you the most opportunities? Also, one thing to consider about Arabic that people don't often mention is that there are several different dialects within Arabic that you will need to learn in order to truly use it professionally. There is one formal, universal version of Arabic that is spoken on radios and tv shows and on official documents and is spoken by some in the Middle East with high educational levels (usually called Modern Standard Arabic or "fus-ha"), and then there are several different dialects that are spoken in different countries. This means that in order to be able to speak with people in, say, Morocco and Jordan and Saudi Arabia, you would need to know several different dialects, adding up to the equivalent of learning several languages. This shouldn't be too much of an obstacle if using a second language is important to you, but it a unique aspect that you should consider beforehand, especially because it will add extra years to your studying.
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Todd’s Answer

Arabic is spoken in a larger number of countries and would therefore offer more flexibility in terms of projects.
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Stephanie’s Answer

Arabic will allow you more opportunities. You may even get a hiring bonus for having that language skill, depending on your chosen career path!


Be sure to study abroad. There are scholarships to pursue language study of Arabic that can finance your study abroad. Check out CLS (http://www.clscholarship.org/) and Boren (https://borenawards.org/) for a couple of examples.

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Mouna’s Answer

Hi,

I strongly suggest you to learn Arabic because it is the official language throughout the Arab world which includes 22 countries, with a population of over 480 milions, that gives you more opportunities and also to hold important and positions in International law
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Wael’s Answer

I suggest Arabic. There are around 300 million Arabic speakers around the world; on the other hand, there are only 100 million Farsi speakers around the world. Moreover, Farsi is the official language of only three countries where Arabic is the official language of 28 countries if not more. Lastly, Arabic is the 3nd most spoken language around the world.


I am sure if you do more research you would find even more reasons to go with Arabic.
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