Emoji Don’t Stifle Communication, They Encourage It
The use of emoji is on the rise in the Arab region, as well as everywhere else. But that’s no cause for moral panic, a scholar of digital humanities argues.
Why the Split Between Classical and Everyday Arabic Endures
If Arabs want a true lingua franca, they must ease the rigid boundaries they’ve set up between the local dialects and the formal language.
Algeria’s Higher-Education Minister Encourages Switch From French to English
Minister Tayeb Bouzid says “French doesn’t get you anywhere,” and announces committee to develop Anglophone teaching in Algerian universities.
Artificial Intelligence Helps Computers Leap Forward in Reading Arabic
New projects use artificial intelligence to read Arabic publications of all kinds, opening up the possibility that local, print-only archives could be transformed into widely-available, searchable online resources.
Contemporary Arab Writers Offer a Fresh Take on the Historical Novel
Arab authors who have become interested in writing historical fiction often take a distinct perspective on the lives of ordinary people, instead of focusing on wars or politics.
A New Certificate Measures Arabic Language Proficiency
A Paris-based organization provides the certificate, which is based on a widely used standard for measuring levels of proficiency in many languages.
Ancient Cousins of Arabic Survive in Oman—but for How Long?
A chance meeting with a speaker of Shahri shines light on the value of indigenous languages and the wealth of cultural knowledge and history they embody.
An Online Arabic Dictionary Makes Its Debut
A tool created at Birzeit University will take machine translation of Arabic to a higher level.
Teaching My Son Arabic: Balancing Love and Grammar
A second-generation Lebanese American mastered classical and colloquial Arabic as an adult. He wants his son also to have access to the world the language opened for him.
Amal, Berlin! Helps Refugees Find Their Way in Germany
The online newspaper, staffed by journalists in exile, helps newcomers adapt to a new culture and tries to dismantle false perceptions on both sides.
