SALA showcases Sharjah’s initiatives to promote Arabic in the West

Sharjah24: As part of the main events marking the opening of the “Arabic Language and Culture Festival” in Milan, Italy, organised by the Institute of Arab Culture at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and sponsored by the Sharjah Book Authority, the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy (SALA) showcased the emirate’s global efforts to support the Arabic language and promote its presence in Western academic circles. The session highlighted Sharjah’s scientific and cultural initiatives to enrich Arabic studies and research at international universities.

Panel Session Discussion

During a panel titled “Efforts of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah to Support Arabic in the West,” Mohamed Safi Al Mosteghanemi, Secretary-General of Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, emphasised that Arabic, as a bridge for intercultural dialogue, continues to be cherished by its native speakers and passionately studied by Orientalists and scholars in both Asia and Europe. These efforts, he noted, have translated into meaningful contributions that have helped establish Arabic’s global standing.

Immersive Language Initiative

Al Mosteghanemi discussed the “Language Immersion” initiative launched by the Academy under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The initiative brings academic delegations from global universities in Austria, Poland, Italy, and others to live among the people of Sharjah and engage with its cultural environment, thereby enhancing their linguistic skills beyond traditional classroom learning.

Encyclopedia Project Emphasized

He also referred to the “Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia” project, overseen by the Academy, stating that such initiatives embody Sharjah’s vision of promoting Arabic as a source of knowledge and human connection capable of transmitting ideas and cultures across nations.

Keys to Linguistic Mastery

He also outlined five key foundations for developing linguistic mastery. First is continuous and mindful reading, which broadens knowledge and strengthens expression. Second is deep engagement with "instrumental sciences" such as grammar, morphology, rhetoric, and prosody, which provide learners with analytical tools. The third key, he noted, is the role of a skilled teacher who can instill a love for Arabic among both native and non-native speakers.

Role of Memorization

Al Mosteghanemi also stressed the importance of memorisation in Arabic learning, citing Quranic verses, prophetic sayings, classical poetry, and wise proverbs, as a fourth essential element. The fifth and final key is systematic training, both oral and written, through regular sessions that allow learners to use the language in varied real-life situations.

Festival Draws Global Voices

The Arabic Language and Culture Festival, organized by the Institute of Arab Culture at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in collaboration with the Arabic Language Research Center, continued over four days until the 17th of the month. Held under the theme: “The Migrant Tongue: Arabic Without Borders,” the festival’s eighth edition welcomed 30 researchers, academics, and Arab writers from the diaspora, representing 18 countries.

Focus on Arab Identity

The festival spotlighted the presence of Arabic language and culture in Western contexts, addressing topics such as teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, updating grammar and rhetoric curricula, exploring Arab literature in the diaspora, issues of translation, and how Arabic texts are received in other languages, all tied to broader questions of identity and cultural integration.