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The session was moderated by celebrated Emirati author Sheikha Al Mutairi and featured two distinguished speakers: Dr Sultan Al Ameemi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union and Dr Yahya Amara, a renowned Moroccan researcher.
Dr Al Ameemi illustrated the journey of Arabic vocabulary across centuries and continents. He explained how classical Arabic terms have moved through regional dialects—especially in the Levant and North Africa—eventually influencing other languages and returning enriched to modern Arabic speech.
Al Ameemi highlighted key historical migrations that have left significant imprints on dialects, including the migration from the Arabian Peninsula to Al-Andalus during the Middle Ages, the subsequent Andalusian resettlement in Morocco, and the Bani Hilal tribe's migration from the Levant to North Africa.
These movements have contributed to the lexical and phonetic similarities still seen between Emirati and Moroccan Arabic.
Al Ameemi also stressed the common vocabulary and phonetic patterns that connect dialects from the Arabian Gulf to the Atlantic coast. He advocated for increased phonological and lexicographical research to better understand and document these linguistic relationships.
Dr Yahya Amara emphasised that language travels with its speakers, acting as a vessel for human experience. Despite regional variations, all Arabic dialects originate from classical Arabic, fostering mutual understanding across Arab societies.
Amara noted the role of classical Arabic poetry in incorporating dialectal vocabulary, enhancing cultural interconnectedness and enriching literary heritage throughout the Arab world.
To reinforce East–West Arab linguistic ties, Dr Amara proposed strategic initiatives such as establishing an academy for language and arts, launching a scientific conference on Arabic dialects, and creating an international language prize to foster dialogue and bridge gaps with global languages.
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