Sudan Language: What Do They Speak in Sudan?
The official languages of Sudan are Arabic / English. In Arabic, the country is called ุงูุณูุฏุงู. Sudan is officially multilingual, with 2 recognised languages reflecting its diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.
๐ฃ๏ธ Language at a Glance
About the Arabic Language
Classical Arabic is the language of the Quran, and the spread of Islam from the 7th century carried it across the Middle East and North Africa. Modern Arabic lives in two registers at once, a situation linguists call diglossia: Modern Standard Arabic is used in news, books and formal speech across all Arab countries, while everyday life runs in regional dialects (Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf, Maghrebi) that differ enough that speakers from distant countries may struggle to follow each other. Arabic is official in some 25 countries, is a United Nations language, and serves as the liturgical language of nearly two billion Muslims. Arabic is a Semitic language, sibling to Hebrew, Aramaic, Amharic and Tigrinya. Like its relatives it builds words from three-consonant roots: from k-t-b (writing) come kitaab (book), maktab (office), kaatib (writer) and kataba (he wrote).
The Arabic script: How Arabic is Written
Arabic is written right to left in a 28-letter script that is always cursive: letters connect and change shape depending on whether they sit at the start, middle or end of a word. Short vowels are normally left unwritten; readers fill them in from context, and the small vowel marks are added only in the Quran, poetry and children's books. It is the world's second most widely used writing system after Latin, also carrying Persian, Urdu and other languages.
Is Arabic a Tonal Language?
No, Arabic is not a tonal language. Its distinctive sounds lie elsewhere: emphatic (pharyngealized) consonants and deep throat sounds like the letter ayn, which have no English equivalents.
๐จ๏ธ Useful Arabic Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Arabic, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Arabic to Learn?
The US Foreign Service Institute places Arabic in its hardest category, around 2,200 class hours. The script is actually the easy part, learnable in a few weeks; the real challenges are the root-based word system, sounds that do not exist in English, and diglossia, which effectively means learning Modern Standard Arabic plus a spoken dialect.
Multilingual Heritage of Sudan
Sudan officially recognises 2 languages: Arabic, English. This multilingual status is a reflection of the country's history, ethnic diversity and cultural complexity. Different regions or communities may predominantly use one language over another, and all official languages are typically represented in government, education and public services. Multilingual countries often have rich cultural traditions that draw from each language community.
Language Tips for Visitors to Sudan
English is an official language of Sudan, making it easy for international visitors to communicate. You will find English widely spoken in cities, tourist areas, hotels and most businesses. Airport signage, menus and official documents are commonly available in English. The country is officially known as ุงูุณูุฏุงู in Arabic, and the international dialling code is +249.
๐ Other Countries Where Arabic is Spoken
Arabic is not exclusive to Sudan; it is also spoken in these countries:
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Sudan
What language do they speak in Sudan?
The official languages of Sudan are Arabic / English.
Is English spoken in Sudan?
Yes, English is one of the official languages of Sudan.
What is Sudan called in its own language?
Sudan is called "ุงูุณูุฏุงู" in Arabic.
What writing system does Arabic use?
Arabic is written in the Arabic script. Arabic is written right to left in a 28-letter script that is always cursive: letters connect and change shape depending on whether they sit at the start, middle or end of a word. Short vowels are normally left unwritten; readers fill them in from context, and the small vowel marks are added only in the Quran, poetry and children's books. It is the world's second most widely used writing system after Latin, also carrying Persian, Urdu and other languages.
Is Arabic a tonal language?
No, Arabic is not a tonal language. Its distinctive sounds lie elsewhere: emphatic (pharyngealized) consonants and deep throat sounds like the letter ayn, which have no English equivalents.
How do you say hello in Arabic?
"Hello" in Arabic is "marhaban / as-salaamu alaykum".
Is Arabic hard to learn?
The US Foreign Service Institute places Arabic in its hardest category, around 2,200 class hours. The script is actually the easy part, learnable in a few weeks; the real challenges are the root-based word system, sounds that do not exist in English, and diglossia, which effectively means learning Modern Standard Arabic plus a spoken dialect.
How many official languages does Sudan have?
Sudan has 2 official languages: Arabic, English.
Do I need to speak Arabic to visit Sudan?
No: English is official in Sudan so communication is easy for English speakers.
What is the calling code for Sudan?
The international dialling code for Sudan is +249.
What is the population of Sudan?
Sudan has a population of approximately 44.9M, all of whom use Arabic / English as the official languages.