The Language of Shihuh | Dr. Maryam Al Marashda | TEDxAlBateen

Quick Overview

Dr. Maryam Al Marashda discusses the historical and cultural significance of the Shihhi dialect spoken in the UAE and other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, emphasizing that it is not a mere variation but a distinct, ancient language with unique phonological features like the alternation between Hamza and 'Ayn, which contributes to the strong sense of identity and belonging for its speakers.

Key Points: The Shihhi dialect, spoken in the UAE and other Arabian Peninsula areas like Oman, Yemen, Syria, and Egypt, is a distinct language, not just a variation of Arabic. A key unique feature of Shihhi is the alternation between the phonemes Hamza (ء) and 'Ayn (ع) in words, exemplified by 'Dhuhr' becoming 'Dha' and 'Qasr' becoming 'Qaws'. Archaeological findings, such as inscriptions from the 5th century BC in the Fertile Crescent and the Arabian Gulf, suggest the dialect's ancient roots and historical importance. The dialect exhibits unique phonological characteristics, including the Diphthong 'ay' and the pairing of two vowels together, which differ from standard Arabic dialects like the UAE dialect. The speaker found evidence supporting the dialect's distinctiveness in the Sabaiy Dictionary and the writings of archaeologist Jeffrey Ross, who noted its ancient roots. The dialect fosters a deep sense of pride and belonging among its speakers, distinguishing it from surrounding dialects. The speaker noted that the word 'Dha' (for noon/midday) in Shihhi is distinct from the pronunciation in other Gulf dialects.

Context: Dr. Maryam Al Marashda presents her linguistic research on the Shihhi dialect, a specific form of Arabic spoken across several countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including the UAE, Oman, Yemen, Syria, and Egypt. Her presentation, given at TEDxAlBateen, focuses on proving that Shihhi is an ancient, distinct language with unique phonological features, rather than a simple dialectal variation, linking it to historical artifacts and ancient linguistic patterns.