The Dominance of Arabic and English in the Linguistic Landscape of Southwest Aceh: Implications for Students’ Interest and Government Perceptions

Aan Muhammady; Rena Juliana; Masriana Harahap; Samsuar A. Rani; Buhori Muslim; Ahmad Arifin bin Sapar

doi:10.32332/an-nabighoh.v28i1.127-144

Authors

Aan Muhammady Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh
Rena Juliana Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh
Masriana Harahap Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh
Samsuar A. Rani Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh
Buhori Muslim Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh
Ahmad Arifin bin Sapar University of Malaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32332/an-nabighoh.v28i1.127-144

Keywords:

Linguistic landscape, Arabic Language, English Language, Student Interest

Abstract

Background: The linguistic landscape reflects language visibility, identity, and social values within public space. In the West–South coastal region of Aceh, the presence of Arabic and English in public signage represents the interaction between religious identity and global influence. However, the representation of these languages raises questions about accuracy, policy support, and their influence on students’ academic interests, particularly in Arabic language studies. Understanding this relationship is important for strengthening language education and public language policy in Islamic educational contexts. Research Objectives: This study aims to examine the dominance of Arabic and English in the linguistic landscape of the West–South coastal region of Aceh and to analyze its impact on students’ interest in Arabic language study programs as well as on governmental perceptions of language use. Methodology: This research employed a qualitative sociolinguistic approach. Data were collected through photographic documentation of 75 public signage items in educational institutions, government offices, mosques, and commercial areas, along with in-depth interviews with government officials and 25 dayah students in West Aceh, Nagan Raya, and Southwest Aceh. Purposive sampling was applied. Data was analyzed through descriptive qualitative approach, and triangulation was used to ensure trusworthiness. Results: Arabic signage appears symbolically strong in religious and institutional contexts but often contains grammatical and orthographic inaccuracies. English dominates commercial signage and is associated with modernity and economic value. Limited Arabic usage is influenced by low public comprehension, weak regulation, and limited policy support. Unique Contribution: This study connects linguistic landscape analysis with student interest in Arabic language education within an Islamic regional context. Conclusion: The linguistic landscape influences language perception, motivation, and educational orientation. Recommendations: Some recommendations to support Arabic language learning include strengthening language policy, improving Arabic inscription quality, and integrating linguistic landscape awareness into education.

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Author Biographies

Aan Muhammady, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh

Aan Muhammady is a lecturer at the department of Arabic Education, Faculty of Teaching Training and Education, STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh, Indonesia. His research interests include topics of sosiolinguistic, al-Qawa’id al-Nahwiyyah (arabic grammar), Listening skill, arabic aducation, and islamic environmental ethics. Aan Muhammady also deeply involved in language center program at his institution, such as TOAFL program, Matriculation, and Arabic training for students. He can be contacted at aan.muhammady@staindirundeng.ac.id.
Rena Juliana, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh

Rena Juliana is a lecturer at the Department of English Education, Faculty of Teaching Training and Education, STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh, Indonesia. Her research interests include topics in sociolinguistics, cultural studies, language anda identity, and English Education. She currently serves as the Head of the Language Center at her institution, where she leads various foreign laguage development programs such as TOEFL and TOAFL Preparation and Test, Matriculation, Language Corner, and language training for students. She can be contacted at renajuliana@staindirundeng.ac.id.
Masriana Harahap, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh

Masriana Harahap is a fresh graduate of Arabic Language Education Study Program of STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh, Indonesia. Her research interests focus on methods of teaching Arabic. She is frequently involved in faculty research projects as well as community service programs conducted in collaboration with lecturers. She can be contacted at email: masrianaana45@gmail.com
Samsuar A. Rani, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh

Samsuar A. Rani is a lecturer in the Arabic Language Education Study Program, Department of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh, Indonesia. His research interests focus on Arabic language education, methods of teaching Arabic, Arabic language curriculum, evaluation of Arabic language learning, as well as media and technology in Arabic language instruction. He can be contacted at samsuartba@gmail.com.
Buhori Muslim, Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh

Buhori Muslim is a Professor at the faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, State Islamic University of Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh, Indonesia. His research interests focus on curriculum development in Arabic Language Education, and the integration of technology in Arabic language teaching (e.g., interactive e-books). He actively publishes scholarly articles on Islamic education and teaching methodologies, particularly those indexed in Google Scholar. He can be contacted at 123buhori.muslim@ar-raniry.ac.id.
Ahmad Arifin bin Sapar, University of Malaya

Ahmad Arifin bin Sapar was attained a bachelor’s degree in Arabic Language and Literature from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1996 and a Master of Modern Language Studies from Universiti Malaya in 2000. In 2011, he obtained his doctoral degree in Arabic Language Studies from Universiti Malaya. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Arabic and Middle Eastern Languages, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. His research interests include learning Arabic as a second language, Arabic for specific purposes, Arabic Language Studies, and Arabic-Malay translation. He has published articles in international and national journals, books, and other publications. He can be contacted at arifin@um.edu.my.

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