Doha: The celebration of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, under the generous patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, captured the spotlight in Qatari newspapers. This event marked a significant milestone in Arab culture, celebrating the completion of one of the largest linguistic projects in the Arab world and globally. The dictionary includes approximately 300,000 lexical entries and a textual corpus of about one billion words, all meticulously structured, dated, and documented.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatari newspapers highlighted the urgent need for this project in the current era of rapid global developments. His Highness's commitment to sponsoring and supporting this project was noted, with all necessary resources provided for its successful completion. Al-Sharq newspaper emphasized that despite the Arab world's challenges, the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path to a brighter future for the Arab nation.
Al-Sharq further elaborated that the completion ceremony for the dictionary, attended by HH the Amir, showcased 13 years of dedicated work by esteemed professors and language experts. These scholars delved into the roots of terms, exploring their history and evolution. His Highness's presence at the ceremony underscored his dedication to honoring the team behind the project, which aligns with Qatar's commitment to national renaissance, stability, and prosperity.
The newspaper also highlighted the dictionary's role as a cultural legacy for all Arabs, serving as a safeguard of identity amidst globalization, digitization, and rapid changes. Al-Sharq's editor-in-chief concluded by expressing pride in Doha's ability to celebrate this cultural and intellectual achievement, which aligns with the digital age and artificial intelligence, underscoring its future significance for the Arabic language.
In its editorial, Al-Arab newspaper noted that the ceremony was more than a celebration of a linguistic project; it marked a pivotal moment in the Arabic language's evolution. The dictionary serves as a comprehensive scientific tool, redefining the language's relationship with its history and providing a foundational reference akin to those of major world languages.
Al-Arab detailed the extensive collaborative effort behind the project, involving hundreds of researchers, editors, and experts from various Arab countries. The ceremony's significance was amplified by a documentary presentation on the dictionary's journey and methodology, followed by the unveiling of its new electronic portal. His Highness's honoring of the project team conveyed a powerful message about the value of knowledge within Qatar's cultural vision.
Concluding, Al-Arab emphasized that the Qatari leadership's support for this project reflects a deep understanding that language is a pillar of cultural sovereignty and an essential tool for engaging with a rapidly changing world.