Draft:Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre
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Comment: This is basically just a corporate presentation, the organisation telling the world about itself. We are not interested in that, we want to hear what independent and reliable secondary sources have said about the subject and what makes it worthy of note. DoubleGrazing (talk) 12:48, 16 October 2024 (UTC)
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| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
|---|---|
| Chairman | HE Dr Ali bin Tamim |
| Executive Director | HE Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaji |
| Website | https://alc.ae/ |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Established | 2021 |
About ALC
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre [1] was established as part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to enhance the presence of Arabic as a language of science, arts, and literature through specialised programmes and partnerships with major cultural, academic, and technological institutions worldwide, such as the Institut du Monde Arabe (France), Brill Publishers (Netherlands), and Universität Leipzig (Germany).
Operating from its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, the ALC is promotes the Arabic language in all areas of life; academic, cultural, and public. It aims at supporting researchers, professionals, and activists across various fields of Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, enhancing interest in learning Arabic among native and non-native speakers, leading linguistic research and development efforts, and promoting research, knowledge exchange, creativity, authorship, translation, and publishing.[2]
The ALC collaborates with UAE-based universities and international academic partners. It also hosts a digital library and undertakes collaborative research projects and initiatives, including the digital lexicon “Daleel Al Ma’ani”, the Kalima Translation Project, and the Journal of Arabic Studies “Al-Markaz”.[3] Additionally, the ALC offers policy consultations, publishing academic reports, and supporting students and researchers in Arabic studies, Middle Eastern studies, history, literature, translation, and digital humanities through a dedicated research grant programme. [4]
The ALC has also launched several awards to encourage studies, research, and poetic and literary works, and to recognise publications in Arabic and other languages. The most prominent of these awards is the Sheikh Zayed Book Award.
The ALC is one of the official sponsors of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction[5]. Additionally, it organises exhibitions, academic symposia, and international public forums, such as the International Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries, and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
ALC’s Vision
To position Abu Dhabi as an enabler of Arabic language leadership in the fields of culture, creativity and education.
ALC’s Mission
Contribute to the advancement and promote interest in learning of Arabic language among native and non-native speakers, lead efforts in research and linguistic development, and support creativity, authorship, translation and publishing.[6]
The Story of the Logo
The Letter Ayn "ع"
Ayn is the first letter of the word "Arabic" in Arabic “العربية”, and one of the distinct sounds that set this language apart. The word "Ayn" itself also has many homophones that all seem to denote beginnings: "Ayn" is a water fountain, bringing vibrance to life when it flows from the heart of the earth. "Ayn" is the eye, without which man cannot embark on the journey of discovery. And "Ayn" is a distinguished individual, who gives back in abundance as is the individual duty of every Muslim, his "fard al-Ayn".
The first Arabic scientific linguistic genius appeared with "Kitab Al-Ayn" ("Book of Al-Ayn")[7], the first ever Arabic dictionary written by Al-Khalil bin Ahmed Al-Farahidi[8]. From then on, watchful eyes kept observing the elements of the language as they emerged, grew, and aged to become the graceful and elegant language we know today, full of purity and vitality.
Black and White
From a mix of white and black, the succession of day and night, time began to move towards the future. White papers remained silent until black ink etched science, wisdom, and diversity onto them. Thus did Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du'ali when his quill drew the first Arabic dots on similar-looking letters to give each letter its own unique character.
Black is the colour of Arabian beauty, from dark horses, to dark skin, to dark eyes. There may be no better symbol of the depth and simplicity of Arabian aesthetics than the black colour.
Flowing Design
The seven lines symbolise the seven emirates, with the capital Abu Dhabi at their heart. Lines curve in four graceful movements, branching out into twenty-eight threads, the same number as the letters of the Arabic alphabet. They weave the history of a long-standing nation, connecting its past to its present, and moving toward the future with confidence, hope, and pride.
The smooth flow of lines reflects the graceful passage from authenticity to modernity, to an openness to other cultures and to a wealth of knowledge and technology advances. The brushstrokes mimic sand waves and dune curves, but also reflect the features of our modern life with its continuous flow and amazing transformations.
ALC’s Projects and Initiatives
Awards and Grants
An independent award granted annually to outstanding writers, intellectuals, publishers, and young talents for their contributions to authorship, development, and translation in the humanities. The award holds a global reputation, with its annual submissions exceeding 4,000 across its 10 categories.
This award honours Nabati poetry, folklore studies, and research focused on the heritage of Nabati poetry and its inherent values.
The Sard Al Thahab (Golden Narrative) Award is an annual award that supports the traditional art of Arabic storytelling across the Arab world, including the preservation and continuation of folk tales and legends, which form an essential part of Arab heritage, culture, and identity.[9]
A grant programme aiming to elevate Arabic scientific research and enhance its status regionally and globally by supporting creativity, authorship, and research in various Arabic language disciplines, such as literature, criticism, and applied linguistics.
This programme aims to raise awareness about the benefits of copyright-protected works and support efforts to translate content to and from Arabic. It offers grants for converting printed content into digital and audio books, and promotes collaboration between Arab and international publishers.
Conferences, Festivals, and Book Fairs
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF)
One of the leading book fairs in the region, serving as a prominent regional and international platform for cultural exchange, it acts as a hub that annually brings together players in the publishing industry across the Middle East and North Africa, with approximately 1,300 exhibitors and over 200,000 visitors each year.
Previously known as the Al Ain Book Fair; AABF is a comprehensive cultural and literary festival celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Al Ain and the inspiring works of past and present Emirati authors, thinkers, and innovators.
Al Dhafra Book Festival (ADBF)
Earlier known as the Al Dhafra Book Fair, ADBF is a literary festival celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Al Dhafra and the inspiring works of Emirati authors, thinkers, and innovators.
A festive and youthful cultural event organised by ALC[10], celebrating the Arabic language by challenging stereotypes and showcasing a modern, evolving image of Arabic. The event highlights the language’s rich history, its contemporary relevance, and its pivotal role in shaping and enriching global culture and civilisation, both past and future.
International Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries (Congress PCI)
An annual forum showcasing the latest trends in publishing. It aims to establish a hub for knowledge exchange among regional and global developers of publishing and creative content in the Arab market.[11]
Reading, Writing, and Translation Initiatives
A project aimed at reviving the translation movement in the Arab world and supporting the active cultural momentum taking place in Abu Dhabi, contributing to its role on the regional and international cultural landscape.[12] Its initiatives include the Abu Dhabi International Translation Conference and the Kalima Reading Club.[13] To date, Kalima has enriched the Arabic library with over 1,330 books translated from 24 languages across 10 categories.
Qalam Creative Writing Programme
A programme that nurtures promising Emirati writers by enhancing their skills through training opportunities in a creative lab, supervised by specialists in an environment that fosters the development of their talents. The workshops culminate in the publication of creative works as part of the Qalam publications.[14]
A series of interactive workshops focused on creative writing in Arabic, aimed at upskilling participants and equipping them with the necessary skills for creative writing in various fields such as novels, poetry, and screenwriting.
The UAE celebrates Reading Month each March[15], following the UAE Cabinet's decision to dedicate March as National Reading Month. The ALC organises a variety of programmes and activities aimed at encouraging all segments of society to read and write.
Arabic Language Projects and Initiatives
An annual competition for both native and non-native Arabic speakers, featuring short videos that discuss various topics and reflect different experiences, all using Arabic. The competition aims to encourage youth to take an interest in learning, mastering, and using Arabic in daily life.[16]
Digital Lexicon (Daleel Al Ma’ani)
A specialised digital lexicon launched by ALC in 2021 to support Arabic digital content. The lexicon includes the most common Arabic terms according to Arabic digital blogs and is regularly updated to ensure the creation of a comprehensive digital reference for both native and non-native Arabic speakers.[17]
The Balanced Arabic Readability Corpus Project "BAREC" was launched by the ALC in 2023 in collaboration with a team from New York University Abu Dhabi and Zayed University.[18] The project aims to collect a linguistic corpus of 10 million words covering a wide range of literary genres and topics from different countries, with a special focus on readability levels. Parts of the corpus will be annotated according to specific criteria, forming the foundation for the development of artificial intelligence tools capable of automatically determining the level of text readability.
A mobile application that allows users to scan a previously identified image and know its meaning in Modern Standard Arabic and the Emirati dialect. The app targets visitors to various venues in Abu Dhabi and aims to facilitate the learning of Arabic through an engaging and user-friendly educational experience.[19]
A series of videos designed to teach conversational Arabic to non-native speakers of all ages and nationalities, narrating the story of a non-Arab tourist visiting the UAE, with her Emirati friend helping her explore key tourist attractions, using both Arabic and English.
The International Certificate for Proficiency in Arabic
“CIMA" stands for “Certificat International de Maîtrise en Arabe”. It is the first internationally recognised certificate for evaluating proficiency in modern Arabic through an exam developed by the Arab World Institute in close partnership with the Centre International d'Études Pédagogiques (CIEP).[20]
ALC’s Publications
Al-Markaz: Journal of Arabic Studies
Al-Markaz (The Centre) is an open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal published by the ALC as part of its strategy to renew discourse with the Arabic language by publishing studies and research on linguistic, literary, cultural, and artistic topics in collaboration with Brill Publishing. The journal releases two issues annually, each featuring 6-8 research papers and 4-6 book reviews. The advisory board includes renowned cultural and academic figures from around the world.
Arabic Poetry's Finest Selection
A series of books featuring anthologies of Arabic poetry from pre-Islamic era to the 18th century, accompanied by insightful introductions and explanations, aimed at a broad readership.
A series exploring books and figures that have enriched Arab and global culture. The first book (2022) focuses on classical works from various fields of knowledge, the second (2023) highlights notable Arab novels up to the end of the second millennium, and the third (2024), titled “Hundred and One Creative Women”, spotlights Arab women who made significant contributions to Arab culture in the 20th century.
An initiative to convert the intellectual works of both Arab and non-Arab scholars into published books. The ALC aims, through this initiative, to educate readers across the Arab world and to support creativity, authorship, and publishing. The books span a wide range of cultural subjects, including literature, history, heritage, travel, and children’s books.
The Digital Library
One of the most significant projects aimed at enriching Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene, the Poetry Encyclopedia seeks to research, document, and reissue the rich cultural heritage of Arabic poetry, ensuring it becomes a sustainable legacy for both current and future generations.
A poetry encyclopedia aiming to highlight the wisdom of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his profound poetic vision, which fosters loyalty, belonging, and national identity in the spirit of future generations. It includes a collection of Sheikh Zayed’s finest poems, selected and translated into several world languages, as well as literary and artistic works inspired by the poems.
Key Indicators and Important Numbers
| Publications through ALC’s projects | 2,700+ |
| Visitors to book fairs and festivals | 4.7 Million |
| Laureates honoured | 148 |
| Awards and grants offered to authors and publishers | 780 |
| Regional and international partners | 26 |
| Annual participations in international literary events | 8 |
| Visitor satisfaction rate at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair | 97% |
| Visitor satisfaction rate at the Al Dhafra Book Festival | 99% |
| Favourable rating for overall experience at Congress PCI | 97% |
| Annual submissions for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award across its 10 categories | 4,000+ |
| Books translated through the Kalima Translation Project | 1,330+ |
| Books published with the support of the Spotlight on Rights Programme | 1,300+ (through 190 publishers) |
References
[edit]- ^ The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre official website https://alc.ae/
- ^ https://www.mcy.gov.ae/als/en/arabic-language-center
- ^ https://alc.ae/al-markaz-journal/
- ^ https://alc.ae/sub/research-grants/
- ^ https://arabicfiction.org/en/about-the-prize
- ^ https://alc.ae/
- ^ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kitab-al-ayn
- ^ https://www.britannica.com/biography/al-Khalil-ibn-Ahmad
- ^ https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/topic/golden-narrative-sard-al-thahab-award/
- ^ https://alc.ae/exhibitions-events/arabian-days
- ^ https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/arts-culture/3rd-international-congress-of-arabic-publishing-and-creative-industries-to-take-place-in-abu-dhabi/
- ^ https://www.wam.ae/en/article/hszrhgys-kalima-translation-project-releases-arabic-edition
- ^ https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/government-news/kalima-reading-club-rolls-out-new-initiatives-as-part-of-ongoing-community-engagement-syo6nmab
- ^ https://emiratitimes.com/abu-dhabi-alc-launches-creative-writing-program-to-encourage-new-authors/
- ^ https://mcy.gov.ae/en/reading/
- ^ https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b5605rd-abu-dhabi-arabic-language-centre-opens-nomination
- ^ https://dig.watch/updates/the-abu-dhabi-arabic-language-centre-alc-launches-the-digital-arabic-lexicon-website
- ^ https://zai.zu.ac.ae/assets/resources/barec/b5f0e559-a1d4-4ff1-a469-089ee3842585.pdf
- ^ https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/arts-culture/abu-dhabi-arabic-language-centre-launches-2nd-phase-of-scan-and-learn-arabic-initiative/
- ^ https://www.imarabe.org/en/activities/learn-arabic/cima#:~:text=CIMA%2C%20the%20International%20Certificate%20for,proficiency%20in%20modern%20standard%20Arabic.