Language profiles in Manchester

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Arabic

Language Arabic
Language name transliterated ʻArabī, al-ʻArabīyah
Language name original script عربي
Distribution Middle East, North and East Africa
Estimated number of speakers worldwide 200m (native), 250m (total)

 

Language classification Afro-Asiatic; Semitic; North Semitic
Related to which languages Maltese; Hebrew; Assyrian; Amharic
Distinctive features in sounds Pharyngeal sounds (pronounced by moving the tongue base against the back of the throat)
Distinctive features in grammar Inflectional templates; three-consonant roots;
Writing system Arabic script
Status Official language in Arab countries; vernacular dialects. Liturgical language in Islam
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in England & Wales (Census 2011) 159,290
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in Greater Manchester (Census 2011) 10,914
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in City of Manchester (Census (Census 2011) 7,037
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in Greater Manchester as percentage of total in England & Wales (Census 2011) 7%
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in City of Manchester as percentage of total in England & Wales (Census 2011) 4%
Proficiency, self-reported in City of Manchester (Census 2011)* Can speak English very well (38%), Can speak English well (42%), Cannot speak English well (16%), Cannot speak English (4%)
Distribution in City of Manchester (Census 2011) Cheetham (685), Moss Side (601), City Centre (597), Ardwick (511), Whalley Range (413)
Distribution in Greater Manchester (Census 2011) Salford (1,047), Trafford (753), Bolton (576)
First language of pupils in Manchester schools (2015) 3,010
Distribution in City of Manchester schools (2015) Abraham Moss (160), Manchester Academy (128), Whalley Range 11-18 High School (123), Heald Place Primary School (117), Webster Primary School (115)
Total interpreter requests in Manchester’s GP practices (2014/2015) 3,019
Library loans (2012/2013) 930
Library acquisitions (2012/2013) 137
M-4 interpreter requests (2012/2013) 870
Dialects of the language used in Manchester Libyan, Iraqi, Syrian, Sudanese
Other home language common among speakers
Supplementary schools Hijra Arabic School, Noor Arabic School, Al-Manar School

*Percentages rounded to nearest whole number