Abu Dhabi: A professor at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has compiled over 500 Emirati proverbs, detailing their history and meaning, and giving readers a fascinating insight into Emirati culture.
Nasser Isleem, a Palestinian American who serves as a senior Arabic language lecturer at NYUAD, wrote the book – Popular Proverbs: An Entrance to Emirati Culture - which is one of the first undertakings of its kind, with English translations and commentary accompanying each proverb.
“This book is the first volume compiled in English of Arabic proverbs; it represents a significant contribution not just for the Arabic language, but also to the general knowledge on Arab culture among English speakers,” said Isleem.
“There are more than 500 proverbs in the book. Each proverb has a linguistic explanation on some of the key words, followed by an explanation of the proverb itself. The book has 28 chapters. I did not classify the proverbs or chapters based on topic, but rather, classified them alphabetically,” he added.
Isleem said the book would be a useful contribution for understanding Emirati culture and history, and explained how proverbs were like a historical record.
“The study of proverbs used by Emiratis offers perspectives on the unique values of Arabs. These proverbs provide a historical record of the development of Emirati civilisation and culture.
“In order to fully appreciate and understand a culture, one should look to that culture’s proverbs. This understanding is reflected in Emirati proverbs which express a specific set of beliefs, habits, and morals that have been handed down through time,” he added.
One of his main hopes for the book is that non-Emiratis will read it to gain an insight into Emirati culture.
“The UAE is a multicultural nation, where diverse customs and values come together. Studying the rich proverbs of Emiratis is one of the ways of promoting cultural education.
“I hope this book helps [people] achieve greater knowledge of Emirati traditions,” Isleem said.
Popular Proverbs: An Entrance to Emirati Culture, can be purchased online at amazon.com, or at the NYUAD bookstore.
