Languages in Israel

Overview

Because the Jewish Diaspora touches every corner of the globe, Israel benefits from a tremendous variety of languages and dialects.  There are over 40 languages in the region with Hebrew and Arabic being the two official tongues.  

Hebrew

Hebrew has always remained a central pillar of Jewish identity.  Numerous other languages and dialects have struggled for supremacy (Yiddish, for example), but Hebrew’s long history helped it secure a more permanent foothold in the region. It’s rapid rise as the “official” language of the Zionist movement began more than 50 years before Israel’s independence.  Hebrew training courses (Ulpanim) helped newly arrived immigrants learn the nuances of the written and spoken language.  

Despite Hebrew’s strong commitment to the past, the modern spoken form is actually a blend of traditional terms and Slavic/Germanic influences.  Globalization has further enhanced Hebrew’s multicultural nature as the language struggles to keep up with new advances in technology, entertainment and politics. 

Arabic

This is the second language of the state, and is spoken by the minority Arabs.  Arab speakers are required to learn Hebrew at the elementary level.  

English

English is the “unofficial” language of trade, commerce, and tourism (including medical tourism).  It is taught at the elementary level as a second language, and is mandatory for both Jewish and Arab students.  Many adult Israelis are fluent in the language, so communication shouldn’t be a problem on your medical tourism vacation.   

In addition to these 3 languages, you might also hear Russian, Italian, and even Marathi (a Western Indian dialect) throughout your travels.  The Law of Return attracted countless Jews from around the world, each of whom brought his or her distinctive linguistic background along.  As a medical tourism traveler, however, you’ll likely want to brush up on a few key words in Arabic or Hebrew.  English usually won’t be a problem, but it’s always a good idea to say “hello,” “thank you,” and “goodbye” in the native tongue(s).