Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) is set to open an exhibition Tuesday on “The Limits of My Language Are the Limits of My World” at the Majlis Museum.
According to the NU-Q, the event explores the complexities of the Arabic language, showcasing its enduring influence while probing the threats it faces in a globalised world.
The NU-Q noted that the exhibition examines “themes of control, domination, and influence”, revealing how words shape culture and understanding across centuries.
It also digs deeper into the intimate connection between language and culture, highlighting how everyday words and phrases have impacted societies for more than 1,000 years across religion, politics, trade, and science.
Visitors will learn about the origins of words that mark significant milestones in history, as well as the power dynamics that continue to shape daily life.
“The Limits of My Language Are the Limits of My World” invites audiences to study and analyse the intricacies of Arabic, a language spoken by more than 400mn people daily.
While Arabic boasts remarkable unifying power across diverse populations, the NU-Q said that it has also faced challenges in the face of globalisation and the dominance of English.
The exhibition, on view until December 5, will address the complex relationship between Arabic and English, exploring how the dominance of one language can impact the development and preservation of others.
The exhibition acknowledges the internal fragmentation of Arabic, with various dialects creating a lack of unity across the Arab world.
It will review the challenges of establishing a standard form of Arabic for mass communication and the role of media, lawmakers, and institutions in promoting its preservation.
The exhibition also serves as a platform for critical reflection, encouraging “visitors to question how Arabic can be a prominent language in the future and whose responsibility this is from policy makers to the media and to educators”.
The NU-Q noted that this exhibition underlines the importance of language preservation, not just for Arabic, but for all languages.
