Guests at the seminar organised by QU-CAS.
The Center for Human and Social Sciences (CHSS) at Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) recently organised a seminar on “Arabic Linguistics in the light of Semitic languages”.
The seminar aimed to provide students with methods to read inscriptions used in Arabian peninsula before Islam and to use Arabic dictionaries, and to introduce them to historical roots of Arabic language and calligraphy, as well as the inscriptions used in the Arabian peninsula since thousand years.
Attending the event were CHSS Director Dr Kaltham Al-Ghanim, CHSS researchers, and CAS faculty and students.
The programme included two lectures entitled “Introduction to study of Semitic languages (Zubor and Musnad scripts)” and “Introduction to the study of Semitic languages, Arabic and Semitic and the Arabic and Semitic dictionaries” delivered by CHSS Researcher Dr Mohamed Moraqtan and Associate Professor at CAS Arabic for Non-Native Speakers Center Dr Muntasir Al Hamad.
It also included a workshop on “Reading Nabatean and Ancient Arabic Inscriptions” by Dr Muntasir Al Hamad. He highlighted topics focused on origin of Arabic calligraphy and difference between various types of fonts such as Alphabetic, Photographic, and Numerical.
CAS Dean Dr Rashid Al-Kuwari said: “The workshop contributes to ensure active educational environment as pursued by Qatar University. Participants had an invaluable opportunity to get insight into origins of Arabic language and its relation with ancient languages and scripts, especially Semitic languages. This is an excellent opportunity for students of linguistic studies to learn basic aspects of Arabic language origins.”
Dr Kaltham Al-Ghanim said: “This workshop is part of CHSS program to develop knowledge and research skills in field of human sciences, which enriches knowledge of faculty members and students. It provided participants with the opportunity to deal with real texts under the supervision of specialists in Semitic languages and the origin of Arabic writing.”
