Establishment of Arabic language academy
Regional, Culture, 1/31/2000

The idea of establishing an Arabic language academy was first introduced late in the nineteenth century with the intent of ensuring that Arabic keeps up with concepts of modern civilization, particularly in relation to political terms used in the Egyptian press, to establish standardized equivalents for terms transliterated from other tongues and to further the dissemination of knowledge nationwide as well; hence, the resolution incepting it on December 1932, and the Cairo-based Academy was inaugurated on January 30, 1934.

Prior to the establishment of the academy, many literacy and linguistic associations had taken up as the main goal the development of the Arabic language. The most famous of which is the academy set up in 1892 following the example of "L'Academie Francaise". However, it came to a stop some time later. Many attempts at reestablishing an academy were made in the years 1900, 1907, 1910 and 1917 successively.

The Arabic language Academy underwent many radical changes afterwards. The statute of the Academy was modified many a time. The Academy's membership increased from 20 in 1934 to 30 seven years later and in 1946 became 40. Those whose work contributed enormously to the study of Arabic language and dialects were given the title of "honorary member". Others were given the title of "correspondent members". In 1955, it was enacted that the Academy, which was at the time affiliated to the Ministry of Education, be deemed an independent legal person, and that the non-Egyptian members do not exceed 12. The Academy is international in the sense that it has both Arab and non-Arab Orientalists, as its members. The motto of the Academy is that knowledge and understanding among countries of the East and these of the West are above all. It has in addition to linguists and authors a membership of doctors, chemists, physicians, mathematicians, lawmakers and other specialists.

Objectives and Activities

The Academy made every endeavor to realize its objectives by means of scientific research and technical advances as follows:

The year 1935 marks the early attempts at the production of a lexicon compiled in cooperation with the Orientalist August Fisher. The results achieved were the publishing of (Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir) which is a comprehensive lexicon of the history and development of the Arabic Language, "Al-Mu'jam Al-Wasit" which is a lexicon of contemporary Arabic, and "Al-Mu'jam Al-Wajiz" as a concise lexicon which satisfies the basic needs of scholars.

The manuscript of Al-Mu'jam Al-Wajiz was fully produced in 1956, the first volume published in 1971. Al-Mu'jam Al-Wasit was published in two volumes in 1960, and Al-Mu'jam Al-Wajiz in 1980. Furthermore, the Academy undertook to publish a series of specialized dictionaries, of the Munificent Qur'an, geography, geology, etc.... These dictionaries cover as well many aspects of modern science such as nuclear physics and electronics.

The Academy published the unparalleled Dictionary of Modern Civilization and Art Terms (1980) with a view to maintaining the genius of the Arabic Language and to bridge the gap in communication. This dictionary comprises a great many scientific terms accurately rendered in Arabic to cope up with the needs of the age.

The Academy held competitions, particularly in relation to poetry and prose studies, with a view to further literary production and scientific research in Egypt and the Arab world.

With a view to making printing much more easier, the Academy allowed omission of some pronunciation marks and innovated some others in journalese.

The Academy put on a revival the cultural heritage through publishing verified editions of the classics of literature and established a scientific basis for the study of contemporary colloquial Arabic language in all Arab countries.

The Academy was keen to establish close links with the scientific bodies and cultured communities all over the world. It hosted and participated in many conferences held with a view to fostering the development of the Arabic Language. The Academy had strong ties with the Arab League and affiliated cultural bodies and organizations. It undertook to revise some of the literary and nonliterary works written in Arabic. The Arabic Language Academy had close relationships with other academies in the Arab world, particularly the Arab Science Academy in Damascus (Syria) which was set up in 1918. It encouraged the establishment of many of such academies: Baghdad Academy (1947) in Iraq and the Jordanian Academy (1976) in Amman, Jordan.

*It called upon other academies to work towards a union. Hence, the Cairo-based Arabic Language Academies Union's bureau established in 1971.

* The Academy exerted sustained efforts to enhance cooperation with international bodies and universities concerned with the study and development of the Arabic language.

Previous Stories:
  ISESCO publishes bilingual dictionary of Arabic and West-African language   (12/9/1999)
  Arab traveler to Malta can hear familiar dialect on the isle   (1/27/1999)
  Arab contributions to music science   (11/16/1998)
  Arab language as calligraphy art   (7/1/1998)
  Arabic language academy meets in Cairo   (5/21/1998)
  Meguid inaugurates 4th conference of the Arab Tongue   (11/15/1997)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search