It has become a kind of a tradition that whenever my friends’ children come over to my home, they get to pick out a book from my library. Then we spend time discovering it in a fun way, where I pick out passages and they react to them.
One time they were shocked to find out that Ibn Battuta was a person. “Wow, we thought it was just a cool mall,” said one of the youngsters. Until then, the only Ibn Battuta this group of youth had heard of was the mall in Dubai. They were fascinated by this 14th century traveller, and wanted to hear more about Arab explorers from the past.
The thing is, since all of them are Arab nationals, I try to use Arabic as much as I can. But it is difficult, as almost all of them only use fragments of spoken Arabic, have rarely written Arabic and mostly speak English.
“I hate it, I know it is part of our identity, but it is difficult and adults stress me out when I can’t speak it well,” said one of the teenagers, who has developed an aversion to Arabic from one of her teachers who always made her feel guilty for being an Arab who didn’t speak “proper” Arabic.
So I wasn’t surprised by the results of the latest Arab Youth Survey, which found that while young Arabs believe the Arabic language is central to their identity, many say it is losing its value as the use of English becomes more prevalent. Of 3,500 people aged 18 to 24 polled for this year’s survey, two-thirds say they are concerned about Arabic’s decline and more than a third use English more than Arabic.
One of the times we all sat and wrote our names in beautiful Arabic calligraphy and learnt about typography. Again and again, we hear about how we should make Arabic fun – and it is. Arabic literature is full of legends and stories, historic figures and heroes, as well as villains – something the boys always want to hear about.
So many families have children speaking three or four languages fluently, so there should be no fear of confusing or perfecting one or two. English will be learnt whether you want to or not, so focus on building the other languages whatever they may be.
It is hilarious when the parents barely speak proper English, but insist on using it when they could have a greater effect by speaking to their children in Arabic.
So many parents blame the schools and the teachers, who of course have a big role, but it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure a language stays alive.
We have to admit that while many can speak it, many can’t read or write Arabic. The different dialects are quite alive, with the classical Arabic falling to the side with mainly scholars, researchers, poets, writers and some Arabic newspapers using it. So it is not all gloom and doom. I find it paradoxical that western expatriates often want to learn Arabic and are far more fascinated with Arab history than many Arabs. Maybe we take our beautifully turbulent multifaceted heritage for granted and dislike being dissected like an exotic discovery.
One time, after a long day spent with families who kept complaining about the Arabic tutors and teachers yet haven’t spoken one word of Arabic to their children, I improvised by using Khalil Gibran’s “pity the nation” line, and said: “Pity the nation that can’t pronounce or remember the names of its Arabic heroes, but sure can name all the Italian, French and German designer brands fluently without hesitation.” It sounded better in Arabic.
Thankfully they all laughed and we all realised we need a good brush up on our Arabic.
The Arabic language is so deep and profound, with so many ways to say the word “love”. Instead, some people like to focus on the negative and are quick to put someone down for using wrong grammar or the wrong Arabic word. Help them love it, instead of hating it and turning away from it.
rghazal@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @Aranianmau
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
World%20Cup%202023%20ticket%20sales
%3Cp%3EAugust%2025%20%E2%80%93%20Non-India%20warm-up%20matches%20and%20all%20non-India%20event%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3EAugust%2030%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Guwahati%20and%20Trivandrum%0D%3Cbr%3EAugust%2031%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Chennai%2C%20Delhi%20and%20Pune%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%201%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Dharamsala%2C%20Lucknow%20and%20Mumbai%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%202%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Bengaluru%20and%20Kolkata%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%203%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Ahmedabad%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%2015%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%20and%20Final%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
More on animal trafficking
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Glossary of a stock market revolution
Reddit
A discussion website
Redditor
The users of Reddit
Robinhood
A smartphone app for buying and selling shares
Short seller
Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future
Short squeeze
Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting
Naked short
An illegal practice
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
Bantamweight title:
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) bt Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
(KO round 2)
Catchweight 68kg:
Sean Soriano (USA) bt Noad Lahat (ISR)
(TKO round 1)
Middleweight:
Denis Tiuliulin (RUS) bt Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
(TKO round 1)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) bt Joachim Tollefsen (DEN)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 68kg:
Austin Arnett (USA) bt Daniel Vega (MEX)
(TKO round 3)
Lightweight:
Carrington Banks (USA) bt Marcio Andrade (BRA)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 58kg:
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) bt Malin Hermansson (SWE)
(Submission round 2)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (CAN) bt Juares Dea (CMR)
(Split decision)
Middleweight:
Mohamad Osseili (LEB) bt Ivan Slynko (UKR)
(TKO round 1)
Featherweight:
Tarun Grigoryan (ARM) bt Islam Makhamadjanov (UZB)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 54kg:
Mariagiovanna Vai (ITA) bt Daniella Shutov (ISR)
(Submission round 1)
Middleweight:
Joan Arastey (ESP) bt Omran Chaaban (LEB)
(Unanimous decision)
Welterweight:
Bruno Carvalho (POR) bt Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
(TKO)
