logo
AUB Press Hosts Dr. Ramzi Baalbaki at the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair: 'The Arabic Language: Its History, Present, and Future'

AUB Press Hosts Dr. Ramzi Baalbaki at the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair: 'The Arabic Language: Its History, Present, and Future'

Web Release22-06-2025
As part of its participation in the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair, AUB Press hosted a discussion titled 'The Arabic language: Its History, Present, and Future' featuring renowned Arabic Language professor Ramzi Baalbaki in conversation with Malek Chaker and Amina Sleiman. The event was supported by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair and organized in collaboration with the Center for Arts and Humanities at the American University of Beirut (AUB).
The discussion touched upon various topics related to the Arabic language. Baalbaki spoke about the history of Arabic and its emergence before the revelation of the Qur'an, highlighting its presence in Arabic poetry and popular proverbs (ahadith). He explained how, by the time of the Qur'an's revelation, the Arabic corpus had become rich and well-established, with its collection largely ceasing by the end of the second Hijri century. Linguists then engaged with this corpus, bringing to light its morphological and syntactic features—particularly its patterns (awz?n). In this context, Baalbaki pointed out the distinctive differences that set Arabic apart from its sister Semitic languages as well as from foreign languages. Baalbaki also spoke about his new book Mukawimat al-Nazariyah al-Lughawwiya al-Arabiyya, in which he demonstrated the coherence of the linguistic theory and the comprehensiveness of its components. This, he argued, highlights the uniqueness of the Arabic language and the elements of wisdom embedded in its structures and morphological patterns. He compared this theory with scientific theories—specifically, the theory of dimensions in physics—to affirm the validity of the linguistic framework established by early grammarians. Through this, they provided explanations for every structure, and thus the term ghar?b (the obscure or unusual) in the language emerged.
The discussion also touched on the relationship between Classical Arabic and the various colloquial dialects. Baalbaki emphasized the strong connection between them, refuting any notion of conflict or hostility, as each borrows certain words and structures from the other.
The conversation addressed the current state of the Arabic language and its place among its native speakers. Baalbaki pointed to the number of Arabic speakers and the language's presence on social media, expressing concern over the weakening use of Arabic among its speakers and their tendency to resort to foreign languages to express their ideas. Therefore, he offered some advice on how to preserve the language—especially within academia.
The event was attended by political and social figures, as well as a number of linguists and scholars of the humanities from various Arab countries. The discussion was rich and full of insights that inspire a love for the Arabic language and reveal the depths of its genius and its ability to convey meaning with remarkable precision through carefully chosen words. It also showcased a range of syntactic structures that are unique to Arabic.
Visit AUB Press on YouTube to watch the full discussion.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sharjah Public Libraries bring 14 centuries of Arabic writing to life
Sharjah Public Libraries bring 14 centuries of Arabic writing to life

Gulf Today

time3 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

Sharjah Public Libraries bring 14 centuries of Arabic writing to life

As part of its centennial celebrations, Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) launched 'The History of Letters and Movement' exhibition at Al Rahmaniyah Mall, which runs until July 20, in collaboration with the Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah. Tracing the development of Arabic script over fourteen centuries, the exhibition explores how abstract early forms evolved into one of the most intricate and expressive writing systems in the world. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the exhibition provides visitors with an in-depth look at the milestones that have shaped Arabic writing, from the introduction of diacritical marks to the refinement of calligraphic styles. It highlights the script's transformation into a medium of knowledge and beauty, reaching its artistic and linguistic zenith in the Holy Quran. It underscores the enduring role of the script in preserving cultural identity and transmitting knowledge across generations. The exhibition highlights the pivotal milestones in the development of Arabic writing and the influential role of the Holy Quran in refining writing tools and improving pronunciation and reading accuracy. It underscores the Quran's significance as both a linguistic and aesthetic reference that contributed to the standardisation and development of the Arabic language. On display are rare manuscripts and artefacts from the Holy Quran Academy collection, reflecting the artistic diversity of Arabic calligraphy. They demonstrate how the written word became a tool for preserving heritage, language, and knowledge, as well as a mirror of the transformations in Arab and Islamic society and thought. Reflecting a broad cultural movement, Eman Bushulaibi, Director of SPL, said: 'The exhibition is part of SPL's ongoing efforts to introduce the public to the rich artistic and cultural heritage embedded in the evolution of Arabic writing, which played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual and scientific renaissance of the Arab and Islamic world.' She continued: 'The development of Arabic script reflects a far-reaching cultural movement that enriched Arab and Islamic literature with some of the most remarkable manuscripts and texts, meticulously created by skilled scribes in eras that relied solely on the reed pen and inkwell. Despite the limited tools, they succeeded in building a legacy of knowledge that continues to be honoured today. We hope the exhibition provides visitors with a chance to contemplate this legacy and appreciate the enduring power of writing in preserving identity and conveying ideas across generations.' SPL invites residents and visitors of all ages to embark on a visual and cultural journey, exploring the evolution of the Arabic letter from stone inscriptions and manuscripts to printed books. The exhibition offers a meaningful encounter with a living linguistic heritage that continues to influence and shape contemporary Arab culture.

SPL brings 14 centuries of Arabic writing to life in an exhibition
SPL brings 14 centuries of Arabic writing to life in an exhibition

Sharjah 24

time2 days ago

  • Sharjah 24

SPL brings 14 centuries of Arabic writing to life in an exhibition

Open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, the exhibition provides visitors with an in-depth look at the milestones that have shaped Arabic writing, from the introduction of diacritical marks to the refinement of calligraphic styles. It highlights the script's transformation into a medium of knowledge and beauty, reaching its artistic and linguistic zenith in the Holy Quran. It underscores the enduring role of the script in preserving cultural identity and transmitting knowledge across generations. The exhibition highlights the pivotal milestones in the development of Arabic writing and the influential role of the Holy Quran in refining writing tools and improving pronunciation and reading accuracy. It underscores the Quran's significance as both a linguistic and aesthetic reference that contributed to the standardisation and development of the Arabic language. On display are rare manuscripts and artefacts from the Holy Quran Academy collection, reflecting the artistic diversity of Arabic calligraphy. They demonstrate how the written word became a tool for preserving heritage, language, and knowledge, as well as a mirror of the transformations in Arab and Islamic society and thought. Reflecting a broad cultural movement, Eman Bushulaibi, Director of SPL, said: 'The exhibition is part of SPL's ongoing efforts to introduce the public to the rich artistic and cultural heritage embedded in the evolution of Arabic writing, which played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual and scientific renaissance of the Arab and Islamic world.' She continued: 'The development of Arabic script reflects a far-reaching cultural movement that enriched Arab and Islamic literature with some of the most remarkable manuscripts and texts, meticulously created by skilled scribes in eras that relied solely on the reed pen and inkwell. Despite the limited tools, they succeeded in building a legacy of knowledge that continues to be honoured today. We hope the exhibition provides visitors with a chance to contemplate this legacy and appreciate the enduring power of writing in preserving identity and conveying ideas across generations.' SPL invites residents and visitors of all ages to embark on a visual and cultural journey, exploring the evolution of the Arabic letter from stone inscriptions and manuscripts to printed books. The exhibition offers a meaningful encounter with a living linguistic heritage that continues to influence and shape contemporary Arab culture.

8-year-old Aisha crowned champion of Arab Reading Challenge 2025 in Iraq
8-year-old Aisha crowned champion of Arab Reading Challenge 2025 in Iraq

Gulf Today

time06-07-2025

  • Gulf Today

8-year-old Aisha crowned champion of Arab Reading Challenge 2025 in Iraq

Aisha Nizar Nazim, a student, won the title of champion in the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge in Iraq. A total of 1,339,270 students from 38,100 schools took part in the competition, which was overseen by 16,310 supervisors. The students played a key role in the success of the ninth edition of the world's largest Arabic-language reading event, organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation since its launch in 2015. The 8-year-old girl, Aisha Nazim, is a student at Zaha Hadid School for Excellence in Nineveh, was announced as the winner during the closing ceremony of the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge. The ceremony was held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and was attended by Dr Ibrahim Namis Al Jubouri, the Minister of Education, Adnan Al Sarraj, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Education Affairs, Mohammed Dayea Al Azzawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Administrative Affairs and Chairman of the Higher Committee, Mohammed Saleh Al Taniji, Acting Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Baghdad, Dr Fawzan Al Khalidi, Director of Programmes and Initiatives at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation. Also in attendance were a number of officials and educators in charge of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative and a large crowd of parents of the participating students. A 6-year-old girl, Maria Hassan Ajil, a student at Al-Far'a Girls' School in the Salah Al Din district, was announced as the winner of the People of Determination category at the closing ceremony. She was one of 450 students who participated in the qualifying rounds. The Top ten The judging committees selected Aisha Nizar Nazim as the champion of the ninth Arab Reading Challenge at the Republic of Iraq level from the following top ten finalists: Muntadhar Ahmed Mardan (fifth grade, Al Insaf School, Karbala region), Akram Khalil Abdullah (tenth grade, Al Dhakirin Intermediate School, Kirkuk), Fatima Mohammed (eleventh grade, Shams Al Hurriyah Preparatory School, Najaf), Yusr Hamza Farhan (eleventh grade, Al Nabaa Al Azim Secondary School, Qadisiyah), Rawan Muntadhar Mansour, (the tenth grade at Haifa Intermediate School for Girls, Babylon), Hadi Hassan Hadi (the eleventh grade at Al Nahrawan School for Boys (Rusafa 3), Aya Ziad Subhi (the eleventh grade at Al Rafidain School in Kirkuk), Hussein Ali Ahmed ( the tenth grade at Al Dhakirin School in Kirkuk), and Haider Ali Abdulaziz (the seventh grade at Al Muhwebin School in Najaf. Dignitaries with all the winners. A record 32,231,000 students from 50 countries and 132,112 schools took part in the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative, which was overseen by 161,004 supervisors. Vital Role Dr Ibrahim Namis Al Jubouri, the Minister of Education, praised the vital role played by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives Foundation in empowering future Arab generations by providing access to the knowledge, science and skills needed to shape the future. He also praised the Arab Reading Challenge's remarkable success and achievements in this area, commending its outstanding influence in promoting a culture of reading and developing the capabilities of Arab students. He said, "We are proud of this new participation in the Arab Reading Challenge initiative. Through their interaction with this knowledge-based competition and their outstanding performance, 133,920 male and female students have proven the development of Iraq's educational and cultural landscape and the effectiveness of the Ministry of Education's plans to improve student performance and enhance the status of the Arabic language." "This is in line with Iraq's rich cultural heritage and the creativity of its people in various fields. It also strengthens our confidence in a brighter future for our country and our Arab nation," he said. Dr Ibrahim Al Jubouri congratulated student Aisha Nizar Nazim and all the other winners, as well as the participating students and their families. He also thanked the schools and teaching staff across Iraq who took part. The Minister also thanked the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation and everyone who contributed to the qualifiers of the ninth round.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store