On the occasion of the International Mother Language Day, the Lebanese National Commission organized a seminar on “Arabic Language Today: Teaching, Communication and Diplomacy”, on February 21, 2019 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, which was attended by a large number of diplomats, academicians, school and university professors and students.
Following the national anthem and a welcome note by Deputy Secretary General Ms. Ramza Jaber Saad, President of the Lebanese National Commission Prof. Henri Awit stressed that the Arabic Language is, today, a living language, a language qualified to be a language in the heart of life, urging that our interest in our language be a continuous commitment and a daily effort, to ensure that the Arabic language remains a living language and a language of life, and for us to be loyal to Lebanon’s historical mission of preserving and reviving it.
Ambassador Michel Haddad talked in his intervention, about the elements that make up the diplomatic speech and the added value of the Arabic language, which is one of the six official languages of the UN.
Dr. Sultan Nassereddine, a prolific writer, addressed the importance of children literature and the influence it exerts on the child’s development, in terms of stimulating the brain, preventing diseases, promoting openness, identity and feeling safe.
In her speech, Prof. Samar Abdul Jalil discussed the fact that one of the main issues in the Arabic Language is its tardiness in catching up with the internet and the technological innovations, as well as with the students’ research areas of interest, which results in a large number of students resorting to using foreign languages instead.
Finally, the seminar coordinator, Dr. Nader Sraj stressed the importance to appreciate and use our mother tongue, because the language is a living being who lives on the tongues of its people.
