REPRESENTASI BUDAYA DALAM BUKU AJAR BAHASA ARAB KAJIAN KOMPARATIF DALAM PERSPEKTIF HUMANIORA DIGITAL

Abstract

Digital textbooks (e-book) play a strategic role in supporting the success of language learning while simultaneously reflecting the cultural values embedded within them. In the context of teaching Arabic in an increasingly global and digital era, understanding cultural representation in instructional materials has become increasingly crucial. This study aims to examine the representation of culture in two widely used Arabic language digital textbooks, namely Silsilah Ta‘lim al-Lughah al-‘Arabiyyah and al-‘Arabiyyah Bayna Yadaik. It uses a qualitative descriptive approach, which follows several stages: data collection, data analysis, and presentation of findings. Primary data were obtained through library research by examining the e-book versions of both textbooks. The analysis was carried out through a comparative lens within the framework of digital humanities by applying content analysis and multimodal analysis to verbal, visual, and audio elements. The study focuses on identifying Arab cultural values represented in the learning content through discourse context, which encompasses situational, sociocultural, and visual aspects. The findings reveal that al-‘Arabiyyah Bayna Yadaik places greater emphasis on Saudi Arabian culture, particularly in its portrayal of social and religious dimensions. In contrast, Silsilah Ta‘lim al-Lughah al-‘Arabiyyah tends to adopt a more neutral and general cultural approach, making it more adaptable to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. This study underscores how the digital humanities perspective offers new avenues for understanding the role of culture in Arabic language education. It also suggests the need for curriculum policies that account for cultural diversity amid the globalization and digitalization of Arabic language teaching.