Sharjah spotlights Arabic dialects at Rabat Book Fair in Morocco

Rabat, Morocco: At the 30th Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair 2025, where Sharjah is celebrated as the Guest of Honour, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) hosted an enlightening panel discussion titled ‘Shared and Divergent Features in Arabic Dialects from East to West.’

Featuring prominent linguists and cultural experts, the event delved into the linguistic connections that bind the Arab world.

Moderated by celebrated Emirati author Sheikha Al Mutairi, the panel included Sultan Al Ameemi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, and the respected Moroccan researcher Yahya Amara. The discussion provided a platform to explore the rich tapestry of Arabic language across different regions.

Al Ameemi provided a fascinating overview of the journey of Arabic vocabulary across centuries and geographies. He detailed how Arabic words have moved from classical texts to regional dialects in the Levant and North Africa, influencing other languages and then re-emerging in modern Arabic.

He highlighted the significant historical migrations that have shaped these linguistic patterns, including the Arab migration to Al-Andalus and the subsequent relocation of Andalusians to Morocco after the fall of Al-Andalus, as well as the movements of the Bani Hilal tribe from the Levant to North Africa.

These migrations, Al Ameemi noted, have left lasting marks on the languages of the regions, creating shared vocabulary and phonetic patterns that highlight a collective linguistic heritage from the Arabian Gulf to the Atlantic shores. He advocated for further phonological and lexicographical research to deepen the understanding of these connections in both Moroccan and Gulf dialects.

Yahya Amara complemented this discussion by emphasising the role of language as a carrier of human experience, which travels and evolves with its speakers. He pointed out that despite regional variations, all Arabic dialects are rooted in classical Arabic, which fosters a sense of unity and cultural cohesion among Arab communities.

Amara also discussed how classical Arabic artistic traditions have contributed to the interconnectedness of dialects. He explained how historical Arabic poetry often incorporated dialectal elements, enriching the literary landscape and promoting cultural exchange.