Online Oxford Arabic Dictionary now freely accessible in UAE

Dubai: The online Oxford Arabic Dictionary is now freely available to all universities, schools, public libraries, and government institutions in the UAE.

This comes after a new partnership between Oxford University Press (OUP) and Mohammad Bin Rashid Foundation (MBRF).

The Oxford Arabic Dictionary is produced by an international team of expert translators and advisers using Oxford’s renowned language research programme, and is the first resource of its kind to be based throughout on real modern evidence of both English and Arabic usage.

The unique Arabic corpus, developed specially for the Oxford Arabic Dictionary, provides evidence of the latest vocabulary used in computing, business, the media, and the arts, making the resource the most up-to-date bilingual Arabic and English dictionary available. The dictionary focuses on the standardised variant of Arabic used in writing and formal speech, commonly known as Modern Standard Arabic.

It is fully accessible on mobile and tablet, and via specially developed search software, enabling learners and users of Arabic and English to search more than 330,000 words, phrases and translations.

Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, lauded the idea of making available the Oxford Dictionary in Arabic and English, describing it as a step in the right direction to contribute to the development of knowledge and education sectors. Considering that the dictionary comes from one of the best international publishing houses, it will serve as a reliable resource for many, not only in the UAE but at the international level.

Stating that the project will act as a key pillar in promoting scientific research, Al Hammadi said the dictionary will benefit school and university students, government entities, libraries and anyone interested in the Arabic language.

Jamal Bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF, said the initiative supports MBRF’s efforts to create knowledge-led societies in the region and around the world.

The dictionary can be accessed at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/arabic/