Resumen de Arabic: another ‘other Spanish language’?

Susan Plann

• This article examines the present-day status of the Arabic language in Spain and compares its situation to that of Spain's officially recognised minority tongues. Arguments based on the role of Arabic in Spanish history, the mandates of Spanish legislation and the constitution, the dictates of various European bodies, the advantages of mother tongue instruction and multilingualism, and considerations of basic fairness, all suggest that it may be time to recognise Arabic as one of the ‘other Spanish languages’.