The “Historical Dictionary” in Lebanon

The Forum organised by the “Faculty of Humanities” at Beirut Arab University, with the aim of directing university students to the aspects of benefiting from the historical dictionary in the sciences, history and study of philology, and examining ways to invest it by researchers, academics and university students in reaching the correct meanings of sentences and translating them more accurately, and investing in the collected lexical materials and linguistic, literary and historical evidence in modern scientific studies. The forum stressed the importance of the “Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language” project in linking different types of scientific studies to the history of words that the dictionary documents throughout the ages.

The forum included the signing of a three-year agreement between the Arabic Language Academy in Lebanon and Beirut Arab University, with the aim of establishing cultural, scientific and educational cooperation in the field of teaching the Arabic language, exchanging academic experiences, conducting joint research, and organising cultural events. The agreement was signed by Professor Dr. Wael Nabil Abdel Salam, President of Beirut Arab University, and Dr. Sarah Salem Daher, President of the Arabic Language Academy in Lebanon.

In a remote speech, Dr. Ahmed Safi Al Mosteghanemi, Secretary General of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, said that the historical dictionary of the Arabic language is an important cultural and scientific achievement that has transformed from being a distant dream to a tangible reality, thanks to the efforts, guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme President of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, thanks to a large group of linguists and academics who work in the lexical and linguistic field.

Al Mosteghanemi added that the historical dictionary project represents the result of the collective efforts of prominent scholars, researchers, and experts. It reshapes the linguistic and cultural landscape, providing us with a golden opportunity to revive the Arab linguistic heritage and enhance Arab identity. There is no doubt that it is also an indispensable resource for specialists and academics in different humanitarian and linguistic fields, whereas it provides rich scientific material that contributes to deepening understanding and research into the origins of language and its developments, and enhances the capabilities of researchers to explore new horizons in their linguistic and cultural studies.

In his speech during the forum, Professor Wael Nabil Abdel Salam said that in recent years, the deaprtment of historical lexical studies has seen great progress thanks to developments in computer technology and the availability of huge amounts of digital textual data, which has allowed lexicographers to create historical dictionaries that are more comprehensive and accurate.

Abdel Salam added that the university offers a wide range of academic programmes in the Arabic language, including bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The university also adopts a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the Arabic language, combining linguistic, literary, historical and cultural studies.

For her part, Dr. Sarah Daher, President of the Arabic Language Academy in Lebanon, indicated that the forum comes as a result of the launch of 67 parts of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, which enjoys the support and sponsorship of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, Supreme President of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, stressing that it is a historic achievement that brings together under its umbrella more than 800 researchers, academics, technicians and administrators, and contributes to documenting and analysing the development of the Arabic language throughout the ages.

The forum hosted a group of academics and researchers at Beirut Arab University, during which they stressed the importance of the “Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language” in opening new horizons for scientific research, giving scientists and researchers a window into linguistic sciences from a historical and comparative perspective, pointing out that it is considered a rich source that enriches academic research and deepens linguistic understanding, which helps develop solid research material and enhances the value of linguistic studies.

Forum participants pointed out that the project represents a basic foundation for literary studies, as it provides historical evidence covering different topics, which helps in tracking the development of Arabic literature. 

In this context, the forum participants recommended the need to expand the scope of research and integrate modern technology into lexicographic work, which contributes to raising awareness and promotion of the Arabic language. They also stressed the importance of international cooperation and strengthening Arab identity and cultural belonging, and stressed the importance of continuing lexicographic work by creating a dictionary that helps linking the historical dictionary to a computer map, which is a starting point for developing software and directing researchers and graduate students towards exploring multiple research fields based on the historical dictionary of the Arabic language.