The quote: "Writing is a sign of human existence in this world," is attributed to Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz.
Although the significance of writing is the focus, the act itself only becomes significant when framed as a sign of something important. This week’s Arabic word of the week, alama, which means sign, is a word that often elevates objects, places and ideas to provide greater understanding or knowledge.
Alama, which is used across Arabic dialects, comes from the verb alaama, which means placing a sign on something or to be better than someone at something. It's derived from the three Arabic letters Ain, Lam and Meem. The plural of alama is alamat and alaam.
Alama is a noun and has several meanings depending on context.
The first and perhaps the most common refers to any kind of indicator or set-up on a road that directs or leads someone to a specific location or destination. It is a sign that gives someone much-needed knowledge.
Alama also refers to the border between two nations. The word alam, which comes from alama, is the physical object that represents this border. It can be a fence, wall, sign or flag. In fact, the word alam is mostly used to reference a flag.
In a medical context, alama refers to the symptoms of any condition. It’s the signs or evidence that someone is physically or mentally unwell.
Alama can also be used to describe a set of characteristics, features, descriptions or signs that are specific to an object, place or idea. For example, the unique shape and colour of a banana are distinct markers that it is a banana. Or, when a couple are holding hands or being very affectionate with one another, this is a sign or an alama that they are in love.
Alama can also mean a physical sign or gesture that one does with their hand such as a peace sign or the three-finger salute created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, which represents W for Win, V for Victory and L for Love.
Alama also refers to the evidence or sign that something once existed from an archaeological perspective. It is another way to refer to ruins.
Alama musajila, which translates to recorded sign, refers to commercial logos that are written by their owners such as logos for brands.
In Arabic grammar, variations of alama are used to describe different marks or signs. For example, alamat istifham is a question mark and alamat ta’agoub is an exclamation mark.
When pronounced differently, while still using the three core letters of the word, aaalama is someone who has more in-depth and rich knowledge in a specific field. We also have the word aleema, which is a verb that means to know, realise, feel or understand. It is the act of gaining knowledge.
While alama and aleema are not directly related to each other linguistically, they are related in their meaning when it comes to the concept of knowledge. While aleema is gaining knowledge, alama is the sign through which to gain knowledge.
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Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
