Combining Arabic and English: Finding the Right TikTok Talent

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most linguistically diverse markets in the world. With over 200 nationalities calling the country home, bilingual communication—particularly in Arabic and English—dominates digital spaces. From everyday life in Dubai to trends on social media, the UAE thrives on a dual-language identity that connects Emiratis and expatriates alike.
This diversity is especially visible on TikTok, where creators switch seamlessly between Arabic and English to engage their audiences. Whether it’s a lifestyle vlog starting with “Marhaba guys!” or a beauty tutorial that alternates between languages, bilingual content has become the new creative standard.
For brands, this presents a unique opportunity: working with bilingual TikTok creators means reaching more customers, achieving cultural relevance, and maximizing ad effectiveness.
Success, however, requires strategy—randomly choosing bilingual influencers rarely works. It takes creative storytelling, expert campaign management, and strategic partnerships, often executed by a professional TikTok ads agency or TikTok marketing company in Dubai that understands both linguistic and cultural nuances.
This blog explores why bilingual content works, its benefits for brands, and best practices for TikTok campaigns that resonate across languages and cultures.

1. Why Bilingual Content Works

Reaching Wider Demographics

The UAE’s population is 20% Emirati and 80% expatriate, creating a uniquely multicultural digital audience. Arabic remains central to national identity, while English connects expats and professionals.
A video exclusively in Arabic may alienate non-Arabic speakers, and English-only content may feel disconnected from local culture. Bilingual content bridges this gap, enabling brands to address both groups simultaneously.
Example: A video saying, “Hello everybody, welcome! Yalla, let’s get started,” immediately builds familiarity and warmth across communities.
Additionally, TikTok’s algorithm detects linguistic signals, distributing bilingual videos to matching audiences, making cross-demographic targeting more effective.

Reflecting the UAE’s Multicultural Identity

TikTok culture mirrors real-world UAE society: cosmopolitan, stylish, and multilingual. Successful creators reflect this identity authentically.

• Khalid Al Ameri: Blends English humor with Arabic expressions.
• Omar Borkan: Appeals to Emirati pride and international lifestyle trends.

Brands working with creators like these ensure messaging is authentically Emirati yet globally understandable, essential for reaching locals and expats in one campaign.

2. Benefits for Brands

Connect with Locals and Expats

UAE TikTok creators come from all over the world. Bilingual campaigns expand both emotional and linguistic reach:

• Arabic: Evokes culture, nostalgia, and depth.
• English: Provides accessibility, professionalism, and global appeal.

Example: A Dubai restaurant promoting Iftar offers in Arabic and English captures local heritage and international curiosity simultaneously.

Expand Brand Relevance Regionally

Bilingual content also resonates across the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. By reaching bilingual audiences, brands demonstrate cultural awareness and inclusivity, qualities highly valued by young TikTok users.

Improve Engagement and Shareability

Mixing languages often increases engagement. A Dubai fashion brand that used Arabic slang with English subtitles saw 35% higher engagement than previous single-language campaigns, with comments coming from audiences across the GCC and beyond.
Bilingualism acts as an engagement multiplier, not just a communication tool.

3. Role of Agencies

How a TikTok Ads Agency Pairs Brands with Bilingual Talent

A TikTok ads agency bridges the gap between brands and creators, helping select influencers who communicate authentically in two languages.

Key services:

• Creator vetting: Past performance, audience demographics, and linguistic adaptability.
• Audience targeting: Ensures campaigns reach both Arabic and English-speaking users.
• Campaign structuring: Balances tone and pacing for natural bilingual flow.
• Cultural compliance: Adheres to UAE content guidelines without compromising creativity.

Example: The Short Media, a leading TikTok marketing company in Dubai, partners with creators fluent in Arabic and English, ensuring campaigns resonate with every major demographic.

Campaign Execution by a TikTok Marketing Company in Dubai

Local agencies bring cultural knowledge and timing expertise, such as Ramadan or National Day campaigns. Services include:

• Influencer matchmaking: Aligning creators with brand goals.
• Creative direction: Seamless integration of both languages in scripts, concepts, and editing.
• Performance tracking: Monitoring engagement, retention, and conversions across demographics.
• Ad optimization: Real-time adjustments to maximize ROI.

Outcome: Campaigns are culturally sensitive, linguistically accurate, and technically optimized for TikTok success.

4. Best Practices for Bilingual TikTok Campaigns

Arabic for Emotion, English for Mass Appeal

• Use Arabic for narration, intros, and personal reflections.
• Use English for product details, CTAs, and hashtags.
• This balance ensures both emotional connection and accessibility.

Blend Both Languages for Virality

• Allow creators to code-switch naturally.
• Add bilingual captions and subtitles.
• Use trending bilingual hashtags (#DubaiLife, #YallaGo).

Be Authentic, Not Literal

• Avoid word-for-word translation; adapt messaging culturally.
• Agencies can help localize content while preserving brand tone.

Collaborate with Culturally Fluent Creators

• Select influencers who understand both cultures, not just languages.
• Their ability to merge humor, fashion, and emotion drives TikTok virality.

Use TikTok Ads to Amplify Organic Reach

• Promote viral influencer content through Spark Ads or In-Feed Ads.
• Organic + paid amplification maximizes reach while keeping authenticity intact.

Case Study: Dubai Fitness Brand — Bilingual TikTok Ads

A Dubai fitness supplement brand aimed to reach Emirati athletes and expat gym-goers.

Campaign Approach:

• 4 bilingual influencers
• 10 organic videos amplified via TikTok Ads
• Arabic-English captions and hashtags

Content: Short fitness challenges with local music trends, motivational phrases (“Yalla, push harder!”), and English product explanations.
Results:

• Reach: 4.5M views in 10 days
• Engagement rate: 9.2%
• Sales conversion: 2.3× TikTok Shop orders
• Follower growth: +12,000

Success Factors: Cultural alignment, bilingual storytelling, and expert agency management.

Conclusion: The Right Bilingual Talent = Broader Audience Impact

In the UAE, where Arabic and English coexist, bilingual creators are essential for brands seeking wide engagement and emotional connection.
Partnering with skilled bilingual influencers, supported by a TikTok ads agency or marketing company in Dubai, ensures campaigns reach locals, expats, Arabs, and internationals while maintaining cultural integrity.
Bilingual campaigns can turn ordinary ads into cultural moments that resonate across communities.
Partner with The Short Media for creative bilingual influencer campaigns, high-performance TikTok Ads, and end-to-end content management in Dubai and the GCC.