NYU Abu Dhabi has launched Maknuune, an expansive and free-to-use resource dedicated to documenting the Palestinian Arabic dialect.
Through the institution’s research centre, the Computational Approaches to Modeling Language Lab, more commonly known as Camel Lab, Maknuune was created as an online database containing more than 36,000 entries.
Entries include phrases from standard Arabic in line with the Palestinian Arabic dialect, as well as insights into pronunciation, grammar, usage, synonyms, cultural references and English translations.
Shahd Dibas, a PhD student of linguistics at the University of Oxford, founded Makunne, then led it with Nizar Habash, NYU Abu Dhabi's computer science programme head and director of Camel Lab. The lab focuses on artificial intelligence, language, linguistics, and data science.
“I am grateful to the Camel Lab for providing their linguistics and computational expertise and adopting this effort,” says Dibas.
“Maknuune has already received global praise from internationally acclaimed scholars, authors and linguists. We are very excited to be sharing this more broadly with everyone, particularly in light of the upcoming International Mother Language Day [on February 21].”
All entries include the conventional Arabic spelling of phrases and a phonetic transcription to help users say the words out loud, along with an English translation.
Some entries include information about words or phrases in plural or feminine forms, their roots, other associations, notes about grammar or the location of where the entry was added.
While Maknuune is an open-source and downloadable resource, users are also encouraged to contribute by suggesting new entries, adding more nuanced or accurate meanings to existing entries and helping to translate illustrative examples.
The word "maknuune" refers to the common practice of Palestinian farmers collecting eggs their hens lay but leaving one to give other hens a point of reference for where to lay theirs.
The name was chosen based on the same idea, to be an open resource, like the one egg left behind, to encourage other people to come and lay their own linguistic knowledge next to it.
“In designing Maknuune, we wanted to create a resource that can be used by a wide range of scholars and language enthusiasts,” Habash adds.
“From computational linguists who want to develop tools for Arabic language processing, to language educators who want to use it to educate non-native speakers about the rich linguistic heritage of the Arab world, as well as linguists interested in studying Arabic generally and the Palestinian dialect specifically.”
The long-term goal of Maknuune is to have an expansive and growing collection of words and expressions from varying dialects and sub-dialects of Palestine in an effort to connect Palestinians around the world.
More information about Maknuune is available at http://www.palestine-lexicon.org/
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
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Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
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RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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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.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
