Improper Arabic in public might become an offence
A law in the offing would make the use of improper Arabic language in public an offence, local daily The Peninsula reports.
The idea is to preserve the purity of the Arabic language amid the use of many foreign languages that are spoken by different expatriate communities in Qatar.
The proposed law also seeks to make sure that the status of Arabic as Qatar's national language is not diluted or eroded by foreign languages.
The draft law has been prepared by the Doha-based International Organisation for the Advancement of Arabic Language.
The Organisation is part of Qatar Foundation and was set up in 2013 as a non-profit body. The draft law was discussed in a recent meeting of the trustees of the organisation.
One of the aims of the organisation is to fight the use of so-called dialects of Arabic in which corrupted forms of Arabic words and foreign words and sentences are used.
The draft law would discourage mixing of Arabic with any other language and its use in public — in educational institutions, business establishments and offices, service institutions and the media.
Shops and business establishments would need to pay special attention since signboards and letterheads used by them would have to use impeccable Arabic.
The organisation feels that the Arabic spoken by many in Qatar is not proper, so there is a need to take corrective measures, and hence the draft law.
The prestige of the Arabic language is to be maintained at any cost so that people feel proud of it, and the draft legislation aims at that.
The draft law would also encourage translation of Arabic works into other languages and vice versa.
Additionally, it would encourage research to develop Arabic technical and scientific terms and the language's use in modern technology and eventually set up an Arabic Academy.
Meanwhile, an expert told this newspaper that once the draft law sees the light of day, Asians speaking their version of Arabic would need to be careful.
They wouldn't be able to, for example, say: "Mafi Maloom (for "I don't know"). That's improper Arabic. The proper Arabic for "I don't know" is "La Alam".
Similarly, some Asians say "Inta rafiq maal ana" ("You are my friend"). This is improper Arabic. The correct Arabic is: "Anta Rafiqui".
The language expert said that because of their large and long-time presence here, Asian expatriates had introduced terms such as 'seedha' (for 'alatool' or straight), 'dravel' (for 'saiq' or driver) and 'Baba' for sponsor.
"These are just a few examples. There are many such foreign words and corrupted sentences used in spoken Arabic in Qatar," said the expert.
It is time that ends, and the use of proper Arabic language and words is encouraged, he said, adding that he welcomed the draft law since the Arabic language is being wrongly influenced by the other languages. [The Peninsula]
They want to start by enforcing the traffic laws and save a not insignificant number of lives!
Foolish proposal for a law.... in a land of 2 million expats ad majority of them of Asian origin
This law is welcomed from my side as we are going to stop those who tell they can speak arabic and when you start asking them for something, in market, they say : no no no mafi ma'loom...All they know in Arabic are two or three sentences...and unclear.
أصل المشرحة ناقصة قتلة...
Cannot be translated, ever never
The main aim behind the use of broken language is to help someone understand what you are trying to convey in the easiest way possible rather than blankly stare at the person and expect him to read your mind.
And i personally don't find anything wrong in making your 'own version' of a language, provided it is being easily understood by others.
It does not indicate adulteration of the language,as long as a person fluent in it (or a native speaker), knows as to what's wrong and what's right.
And if it is felt that the native speakers of the language adopt those wrong words like slangs etc in their usual vocabulary only then should it arouse concern.
This should be addressed through education and not by enforcing laws,where people are being derived of their freedom of learning a new language (The official language of the country they are residing in).
There are so many people who have thrived in the country, only because they found new ways of communicating with people, and using broken language is one of them.
In my view the broken arabic which is being spoken in Qatar and other GCC countries were created by the arabs themselves mixing hindi, urdu and arabic together. The moment they see a person of asian origin they straight away start the broken arabic even when the asian could speak proper arabic.
How does one then converse with a person who doesn't understand his/her tongue ? and what if it is to be a conversation between an arab and an asian , either one of them not knowing english? In which case english as an option should be ruled out(perhaps it can still exist as an option,provided speaking 'broken' english does not spark another controversy).
Summary-mother tongue as the first choice is ruled out and if the person does not know english,the second option is ruled out as well.In such a scenario a person is left with no choice but to simulate a deaf and mute conversation.
This law seems to be directed at an institutional level - its ridiculous to think that there will be language police walking around, listening to proper Arabic!
Although It's a Good Idea but on the other side it will discourage expatriates at least to try because any language u can't learn only from books, school etc. until unless u don't try it practically and for that you will come up with mistakes to Improve
so my translation for "knowing nothing" is wrong, its not "mafi maloom". then, what is the best Arabic word to describe a person pretending to be expert pretending to know everything about his job? yet...he knows so little and worst knows nothing.
So instead of trying to communicate with those who doesn't understand Arabic, I'll just keep talking to them in English and my reason is clear, I would rather be misunderstood than jailed.
This is ridiculous IMO. Wouldn't this discourage people from practicing their Arabic in public? What if there is no choice but to use 'broken' Arabic to converse with someone who does not understand your language? @adn83
"The idea is to preserve the purity of the Arabic language amid the use of many foreign languages that are spoken by different expatriate communities in Qatar." - Agree with the idea, but promote the Arabic Language through education, not laws.
It's been more than 6 years I am living in Qatar but I never learned Arabic. But I totally like this idea of govt. and it should be implemented soon. This is one best way to preserve the purity of languages.