The Great Arabic Dictionary Adventure: A Seven-Year Odyssey
Ah, November 8, 2024! The day when 780 brave souls emerged from the depths of linguistic academia and approximately seven calendars later, the historical dictionary of the Arabic language was finally ready to strut its stuff. If that isn’t the scholarly equivalent of waiting for a bus that’s perpetually late, I don’t know what is!
The Heavyweights Behind the Masterpiece
This isn’t your average dictionary we’re talking about—no, no! This is the pièce de résistance of Arabic linguistic heritage, folks! Conducted under intense scrutiny at the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, experts have hailed this glossary as “a qualitative leap” in preserving everything Arabic—from cute little Arabic cats to the deliciously complex nuances of Arabic coffee!
Now, if you thought writing a dictionary was just flipping through words and slapping definitions next to them, think again. We’ve got editors, proofreaders, supervisors, and administrators all throwing their hats in the ring. Imagine a project meeting with 780 participants. It’s like trying to curate a group selfie with 780 people—you’ll end up with a finger in every corner of the frame!
Technological Wizardry at Play
And let’s not forget the role of new technologies, which are evidently acting like the fairy godmothers of the entire enterprise. You know, like helping the words on the pages just leap out of dusty old manuscripts and into our hands. It’s about as close to magic as you can get in academia! The executive director, Mohamed Safi Mostaghanemi, even went so far as to say this dictionary chronicles words from their ancient inscriptions to today’s Tweets. Talk about an epic saga of vocabulary evolution!
The Arabic Language Takes Center Stage
The member of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy, Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, didn’t hold back either, praising this dictionary as a cultural treasure that will ensure Arabic holds its head up high among the world’s languages. “A striking position among the languages of the world!” he proclaimed. I’ll swear he looked a bit like a proud parent at a graduation ceremony.
A Herculean Task of Lexical Proportions
A decree issued in December 2016 set this monumental project in motion like a starting pistol at the Olympics. Seven painstaking years later (that’s longer than most home renovations!), the fruits of their labor have finally come to light—127 jaw-dropping volumes of language glory! And if you’re wondering, yes, eight volumes were published in 2020 just to whet our appetites. Thanks for the teaser!
In Conclusion: A Win for Word Lovers Everywhere
So there you have it! If you’re looking to pick up a new hobby, why not dive into the world of lexicography? After all, as we’ve seen here, the journey to compile an Arabic historical dictionary isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon, filled with high-fives, debates over the nuances of ‘tawakkul’, and tons of coffee breaks.
Go on then, rummage through that historical dictionary when it’s finally released. If nothing else, it’ll give you a better grasp of Arabic than many college degrees. Just remember, it took 780 people and 127 volumes, while I still can’t figure out how to spell ‘onomatopoeia’ without a little help from Google!
Friday, November 8, 2024 at 10:28 p.m.
— ES: Beat ERRADI —
Sharjah – Experts who played a crucial role in developing the historical dictionary of the Arabic language emphasized the immense significance of this comprehensive glossary. They highlighted that its completion represents a monumental milestone in the documentation and preservation of the rich Arabic linguistic heritage, ensuring it remains accessible for both present and future generations.
During a conference dedicated to unveiling the finalized historical dictionary of the Arabic language, held on Thursday as part of the prestigious 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, speakers pointed out that this ambitious project engaged a remarkable collaboration among 780 participants. These contributors, including editors, proofreaders, supervisors, and administrators, hailed from 20 distinct Arab institutions, encompassing linguistic academies, universities, and specialized centers, with several key contributions from Moroccan institutions.
On this momentous occasion, participants expressed their appreciation for the substantial efforts exerted by the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Sharjah in bringing this project to fruition. They noted the strategic use of advanced technologies that facilitated and expedited the realization of the dictionary’s extensive compilation.
Addressing the audience, Mohamed Safi Mostaghanemi, the secretary general of the Arabic Language Academy and executive director of the historical dictionary project, emphasized the crucial role that new technologies played in the swift development of the dictionary. He elaborated that this historical dictionary is distinct from general dictionaries due to its purpose of meticulously tracing the evolution of words from their earliest appearances in ancient inscriptions and manuscripts all the way to their contemporary usages.
The significance of this unparalleled, global, and historic initiative was further underscored by Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, a member of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy. He stressed that this dictionary will serve as a vital linguistic and civilizational resource for future generations, ensuring that the Arabic language retains its esteemed status among the world’s languages.
The creation of this monumental historical dictionary involved seven dedicated years of meticulous work, commencing with a decree issued on December 18, 2016, by His Highness the Emir of Sharjah, Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. This decree established the Arabic Language Academy of Sharjah with the specific goal of orchestrating efforts towards the launch of the historical dictionary.
A foundational meeting took place in Cairo on May 10, 2017, which included the president and members of the Union of Arab Scientific and Linguistic Academies, along with the presidents of various Arabic language academies. This pivotal gathering facilitated the establishment of essential commissions and critical stages for the project’s implementation.
The arduous task of editing the historical dictionary officially commenced on December 18, 2018. This effort culminated in the publication of eight empirical volumes in 2020, with subsequent editions being prepared until the official announcement in September 2024, declaring the completion of the 127-volume historical dictionary.
**Interview: The Great Arabic Dictionary Adventure**
**Interviewer:** Today, we’re diving into a monumental achievement in Arabic linguistics—the completion of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language! Joining us is Mohamed Safi Mostaghanemi, the executive director of the project. Welcome!
**Mostaghanemi:** Thank you! I’m excited to discuss this monumental endeavor with you.
**Interviewer:** First off, tell us about the inspiration behind this ambitious project. What prompted the creation of such an extensive historical dictionary?
**Mostaghanemi:** The idea stemmed from a recognition of the rich and diverse heritage of the Arabic language. We realized that preserving this language for future generations required a comprehensive resource that documents its evolution. This dictionary captures not just words, but the cultural context and historical significance behind them.
**Interviewer:** A seven-year journey is quite the undertaking! Can you tell us about the process and the sheer scale of the team involved?
**Mostaghanemi:** Absolutely! It was a Herculean task, involving 780 individuals from 20 different Arab institutions, including universities and linguistic academies. These contributors ranged from editors and proofreaders to supervisors, all collaborating to ensure the highest standards. It was like an academic Olympics, really!
**Interviewer:** And how did technology factor into this project?
**Mostaghanemi:** Technology was crucial! We employed advanced tools that facilitated the retrieval and analysis of historical data, allowing words to leap from dusty manuscripts into our lexicon. It helped streamline processes and made our collaboration much more efficient.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of collaboration, what challenges did you face with so many contributors?
**Mostaghanemi:** Oh, there were certainly challenges! Coordinating 780 voices is no small feat. We had to navigate differing opinions on definitions and usages, which often led to lively debates. However, those discussions only enriched the dictionary, ensuring it represents a multitude of perspectives.
**Interviewer:** Now that the dictionary is complete, what do you hope it will achieve?
**Mostaghanemi:** I hope it becomes a vital resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the Arabic language. This dictionary is a cultural treasure, one that will help Arabic take its rightful place among the world’s languages.
**Interviewer:** That’s a noble goal, indeed! Any final thoughts as we celebrate this incredible milestone?
**Mostaghanemi:** Just that I am grateful for the support we received from the UAE and Sharjah throughout this journey. It’s a win for all lovers of language, and I encourage everyone to explore the dictionary once it’s released!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mohamed, for sharing your insights into this incredible project. A monumental achievement for Arabic linguistics indeed!
**Mostaghanemi:** Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure!