Amman: The Doha Historical Dictionary of Arabic has been hailed in Jordan as a major step towards reviving Arabic linguistics and understanding the language's evolution through time.
Addressing a seminar hosted by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Amman, the project's executive director, Dr Azeddine Bouchiki, said the dictionary treats Arabic as a living, developing language shaped by history and culture.
Developed with the help of linguists from across the Arab world, the online dictionary offers researchers access to a vast database tracing the meanings and usage of Arabic words over the centuries. Dr Bouchiki said its data could also be used to support artificial intelligence tools for Arabic.
Jordanian academics attending the event praised the project, describing it as a foundation for new research in Arabic semantics and lexicography. They said it would help scholars better understand how the Arabic language has reflected social and cultural change across history.
