‘Alama’: Arabic word for sign points to knowledge

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.

An artwork called in front of Burj Khalifa. The three finger hand gesture, coined by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, means Win, Victory and Love. AFP

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.

'Lisan': Arabic word for tongue is connected to the idea of truth

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.

Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

if you go

The flights

Air France offer flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Cayenne, connecting in Paris from Dh7,300.

The tour

Cox & Kings (coxandkings.com) has a 14-night Hidden Guianas tour of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It includes accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, a local tour manager and guided sightseeing. Contact for price.

While you're here

Johann Chacko: Why Maldives has become a theatre for US-China rivalry

C Uday Bhaskar: What is India's Indo-Pacific strategy?

C Uday Bhaskar: The 'Asian Century' depends on China and India working together

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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THE BIO

Mr Al Qassimi is 37 and lives in Dubai
He is a keen drummer and loves gardening
His favourite way to unwind is spending time with his two children and cooking

Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest

Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.

Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.

Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.

Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.

Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.

Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia

Five personal finance podcasts from The National

To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes

Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth

What is a portfolio stress test?

What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?

How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies

Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?

Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai

Gulf Under 19

Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy

Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2

Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina

Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School

RESULT

Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')

Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)