Question 1

How many languages are spoken in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Dubai is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and home to more than 200 nationalities, so the short answer to which languages are spoken here is: most of them! Generally speaking you'll find speakers of almost all the world's major languages in Dubai, plus most likely a few people who speak even minor languages.

In day-to-day life, though, the most common languages you'll hear are the ones mentioned in this article, including Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Mandarin, Farsi, Bengali, Malayalam and Tamil.

If you want to find speakers of a specific language in Dubai, try looking on social media for Dubai-based groups which speak that language, or contact the relevant national embassy or consulate.

Question 2

What is Dubai's second language?

Accepted Answer

After Arabic, English is the language you'll most often find signs and official announcements in, and is overall the most commonly spoken language in Dubai (even above Arabic). But with so many Dubai residents originating from the Indian subcontinent, languages such as Hindi and Urdu, plus other Indian languages, are also extremely common – although for the most part these are not used for the majority of official announcements or signage.

Question 3

Can I work in Dubai if I only speak English?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely – many expats who move to Dubai only speak English, and it's perfectly possible to live and work in Dubai for many years without learning Arabic or any other languages except English. While all official documents and announcements are in Arabic there are always English translations, and when you have to submit a form in Arabic, there are plenty of translators available to help.

For more information on working in Dubai, see the guide to living and working in Dubai in our Invest in Dubai section.

Question 4

Do people in Dubai speak French?

Accepted Answer

While there are French speakers in Dubai, you shouldn't expect to find French spoken when you are seeing the sights: Dubai is not a Francophone city in general. However, thanks to the large number of Lebanese people who live and work in Dubai, many of whom speak French – plus the presence of many other people from Francophone countries – you should be able to find a French speaker in Dubai without too much difficulty.

Languages of Dubai: what do people speak?

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