Latest news with #LamiaRashidAlShamsi
Hi Dubai
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Hi Dubai
UAE Experts Support Dialect Ban for Non-Emiratis to Help Children Use Proper Language
In a landmark move, the UAE government has implemented a new media policy restricting the use of the Emirati dialect in media to citizens only — a decision experts say is critical to preserving the nation's linguistic and cultural identity. Rooted deeply in Classical Arabic, the Emirati dialect reflects the country's diverse heritage, shaped by tribes from coasts, mountains, and deserts. Experts have long stressed the need to safeguard it against misrepresentation and misuse, particularly in media and advertising. Lamia Rashid Al Shamsi, a Sharjah-based heritage enthusiast documenting Emirati vocabulary since 2014, welcomed the move. 'Hearing the dialect misused on social media can confuse children. This policy helps us hold on to our language,' she said. Researcher Alia noted that 80% of the Emirati dialect stems directly from Arabic. 'Though the pronunciation may vary, the roots remain the same,' she explained. Entrepreneur Hanan Al Fardan, founder of the Al-Ramsa Institute — the region's first centre for teaching the Emirati dialect — believes the policy will educate and empower future generations. 'It's not a ban but a way to regulate misuse, especially in commercial contexts,' she said. Writer and heritage researcher Sheikha Mohammed Al Hai echoed this view. 'The policy protects our dialect from mockery and ensures it is passed down accurately,' she said. Experts anticipate a surge in educational initiatives and digital content promoting the dialect. Beyond regulation, the policy is seen as a bold cultural preservation effort — one that may inspire similar measures across the Arab world. News Source: Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
23-04-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Dialect ban for non-Emiratis to promote proper language use among children, say experts
In a significant move aimed at preserving the cultural identity and heritage of the UAE, the government has recently implemented a new media policy that restricts the use of the Emirati dialect to citizens only. Prominent experts in Emirati dialect and culture have come forth to express their strong support for this initiative, highlighting its importance in preserving the UAE's unique linguistic identity. Lamia Rashid Al Shamsi, a 54-year-old mother and grandmother from Sharjah, has been actively documenting Emirati vocabulary since 2014 through social media and aiming to publish a book soon. She highlighted the positive implications of the new policy, stating, 'I have always felt that when I hear any media personality speaking the Emirati dialect incorrectly, it can influence children who are users of social media. We want to hold on to our language, and this decision by the government is a step in the right direction." The Emirati dialect is characterized by its authenticity, as its roots, vocabulary, and expressions trace back to Classical Arabic language. Researcher, Alia, said, "Eighty per cent of the Emirati dialect comes from the Arabic language. The pronunciation of letters may change, but their origin is Arabic." She explained that whenever she looks up a word from the Emirati dialect, she finds it in the Arabic dictionary. The Emirati dialect, across the diverse geographical landscape of the UAE, reflects the presence of many tribes living along the coasts, in the mountains, and in the desert. While there may be slight differences in words and expressions among tribes and areas, including some specific maritime and mountainous terms, the dialect generally shares many common features. Hanan Al Fardan, an Emirati entrepreneur and founder of the Al-Ramsa Institute, holds a master's degree in educational policies. She resigned from her job to establish the first specialised institute in the region for teaching the Emirati dialect to non-native speakers with Emirati Abdullah AlKaabi. She has done several workshops about Emirati culture, books, and publishing videos. 'This initiative will help foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our dialect among the younger generation,' she stated. 'It is essential that we teach our children to embrace and communicate in their native dialect while also promoting its proper use.' Hanan expressed her appreciation for the decision, noting, 'The decision is unique as no Arab country has previously announced such a measure. It comes at a timely moment when we have seen advertisements using the Emirati dialect and traditional attire in negative contexts.' "Regulating this usage does not mean an absolute ban; rather, it organises the commercial use of the dialect without affecting social use or the genuine desire to learn and communicate," she added. Sheikha Mohammed Al Hai, a writer and researcher in Emirati heritage from Ras Al Khaimah, also voiced her support for the policy, stating, 'The new law serves future generations. I often find myself explaining Emirati vocabulary in my books that I have published, and I speak to my grandchildren in the old Emirati dialect so they can acquire it. This decision is vital, as many people are unaware of their heritage.' Sheikha lamented the misrepresentation of the Emirati dialect in media, saying, 'We have seen instances where the dialect has been used sarcastically, leading to confusion about our cultural identity. This policy is a necessary step to protect our identity.' Experts believe that this new policy will significantly increase awareness of the importance of learning the correct Emirati dialect and will lead to a rise in educational resources, particularly on social media platforms. The initiative is expected to encourage fostering cultural understanding and appreciation for locals and residents alike.
Khaleej Times
12-04-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Meet former teacher who uses social media to keep Emirati dialect alive
A former Emirati teacher and passionate researcher has had a significant impact on the preservation of the Emirati dialect through social media. Meet Lamia Rashid Al Shamsi, a 54-year-old mother and grandmother, from Sharjah. In 2014, she began documenting Emirati vocabulary through social media, and turned her long-standing passion to create an online platform where everyone can learn the Emirati dialect. She previously worked as a teacher for seven years before deciding to devote herself to raising her children. After her children grew up, she started a hobby that quickly gained attention from her family and friends. "At first, it was a personal project to document the Emirati dialect, but I noticed how much interest it generated. My family and friends encouraged me to create a dedicated account," Al Shamsi told Khaleej Times. Simple explanations Initially, Al Shamsi began by posting simple explanations and images of local words but soon received numerous inquiries from followers on how to pronounce the words and use them in sentences. This feedback led her to evolve her approach, incorporating voice recordings and animated images in her videos to provide a more engaging and informative experience. As her following grew, she built a remote team that assisted with gathering the necessary sounds and audio, while she personally worked on editing the videos, integrating the visuals and sounds. Al Shamsi said: "It started as a hobby, but my primary motivation was to ensure my children spoke in our native language at home. I never allowed them to speak English with me at home – that was for school." Her goal now is to reach more children and parents. The project, which initially focused on her family, soon found a wider audience. Al Shamsi noticed increased interest from across the Gulf and around the world, as followers sought to learn Emirati vocabulary and expressions. "Many people have asked about Emirati words, and there is significant interest in learning the dialect. Some even inquire about courses," shared Al Shamsi. Teaching younger audiences Looking ahead, she plans to release a book soon that will include illustrated explanations of the Emirati dialect. "I hope to see this book adopted by schools to teach students about their cultural language," she says. Additionally, Al Shamsi has ambitions to produce a cartoon series to teach the Emirati dialect to younger audiences. From her research, Al Shamsi noted that 80 per cent of Emirati words trace back to classical Arabic, emphasising the deep connection between the dialect and the broader Arabic language. Al Shamsi has been featured on numerous media programs and collaborated with TV channels to promote the importance of safeguarding the Emirati dialect. "Documenting the language alone is not enough; there must be an educational framework to teach the language and heritage to future generations," she asserted. Though most of her followers are in their 30s and above, Al Shamsi is now expanding her presence on new social media channels to connect with younger generations. She undersocred: "I want to engage with the younger audience in a more interactive and accessible way." As the need to preserve local dialects and cultural heritage grows, Al Shamsi continues to lead the charge in safeguarding the Emirati dialect for generations to come, using the power of social media and technology to make this important work accessible to a global audience.
