It has been said by many writers, philosophers and artists that music is a universal language. The Lebanese-American poet and writer Khalil Gibran elaborated on this idea, writing that “music is the language of the spirit”.
One of the most popular forms of music is, of course, the song, which is also this week’s Arabic Word of the Week – ughniya.
The word ughniya is a noun derived from the root word ghanna. Made up of the letters ghain, noon and alif, ghanna is a verb meaning to sing. The word ghanna can also be used, depending on its context, to refer to praising someone.
The meaning of ughniya is spoken words or various forms of poetry recited in some rhythm either in an acapella form or sometimes accompanied with music. Like many Arabic words, ughniya has more than one plural – ughniyat or aghani.
There are various forms or categories of songs that are referred to in Arabic. For example, there is ughniyat al aamal, which translates to songs of work, which are songs that have a continuous, almost monotonous rhythm that are often sung during work hours.
Ughniyat shaabiyya, which translates to songs of the people, are forms of colloquial and highly evocative poetry that express the trials, challenges and celebrations of people.
Plenty of words are derived from the root word of ughniya that are also related to songs and music but vary in meaning.
Al ghinaa is a noun, which describes the sound of wind as it moves through the plants. Al ghinaeeyya is a live musical theatre production that includes dialogue but where music is the overarching element.
Another word is al ghina, which refers to a state of contentment where one does not need anything else – the verb of which is istaghna, which also means to deny one something because they no longer have need for it. Ghaniya is another verb meaning the act of becoming wealthy or gaining fulfilment. Ghani on the other hand, means someone who is wealthy.
It is interesting to point out that most of these words relating to ughniya refer to feelings of contentment or fulfilment, similar to how song or music is supposed to make listeners feel.
The popular 1972 film Ughniyat Ala El Mammar, which translates to The Song of the Isle, starring renowned actors Mahmoud Moursy and Mahmoud Yassine, tells the story of an Egyptian infantry platoon besieged in the desert during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Based on the play by the playwright and author Ali Salem, the story revolves around four characters, each of whom comes from a different sector of society, with their own dreams and motives, but who are all subject to the song of war and the elements of the desert canal they find themselves in.
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
