Language and Nature in Southern and Eastern Arabia

Kaltham Al-Ghanim and Janet Watson
Qatar University

Abstract

This research is a collaborative study where specialists of sociology, language worked together to collect and analysis the terminology and vocabulary that formed over the years as a result of the relationship that arose between man and place , times, seasons , flora (herbs) and ecosystem terms. The long relationship with nature in the region produced a rich diversity of knowledge and a rich linguistic heritage that helped people to organize the daily and seasons activities. This heritage became part of the popular memory and associated linguistic vocabulary appeared in linguistic contexts such as poetry and popular proverbs, arts , songs and words in the daily terms that are frequent among the people during their interaction, and formulated their visions around the natural world and their relationship, and placed in the molds and contexts of intellectual and moral value and they employed these terms to explain the incidents that pass by and gave them certain indications and symbols about the social and cultural context and formulated their moral lives and believes. The exchange between language and nature was both cognitive and functional. This conclusion is the main scientific revelation of the research and represents a new research line, which shows scientific, linguistic, environmental and social benefits. This approach used to collect local knowledge, understand cultural identities, culture diversity, and the richness of the local language in different societies.

Presentation