LAST UPDATED: 5 months ago
Lisān al-‘Arab (لسان العرب), the famous dictionary of Classical Arabic, contains 9273 roots (and 4,493.934 words). A huge playground for people who are passionate about Arabic such as…
Mahmoud Gomah
مَحْمُود عَبْد الرّازِق جُمعة
The man who tells native Arabic speakers what mistakes they make.
- Date of birth: 19th September 1980
- Place of birth: Al-Mansourah, Egypt.
- Place of residence: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Website: nahw.w.sarf
Poet (شاعِرٌ), linguist (مُدَقِّقٌ لُغَوِيٌّ), editor of the Journal of Iranian Studies at the International Institute of Iranian Studies. Mahoumd won several awards and prizes for his literary work and poems: 2007: Award for Young Poets (جَايْرَئِزة الْمَجلِسِ الأعْلَى لِلثَّقافةِ في شعر الفُضحَى للشعَرَاء الشباب) 2008: First prize for Fusha poetry (جَائِرَة عَبْدِ الْمُنعِم الصّاوي التَّشْجِيعيّة لِشغرِ الفضحَى); in 2007 Mahmoud was awarded with the second prize. 2005: First prize in the competion “Read!” (افْرَأْ) for Fusha poetry in Egypt.
Besides being a poet, Mahmoud is an expert on Arabic grammar. On his Facebook page, Mamoud discusses common language Arabic speakers.
The book is aimed primarily at native speakers of Arabic as the kind of mistakes committed by native speakers are pretty different from the mistakes of non-native speakers.
How would you introduce yourself to someone who doesn't know you?
I am a poet and linguist.
What was your first Arabic grammar book?
القواعد الأساسية في النحو والصرف
Remark: This book was used in Egyptian schools.
What is your favorite Arabic book (novel, etc.)?
The book/diwan الشوقيات by Ahmad Shawqi.
Remark: Ahmed Shawqi (أحمد شوقي) was one of the greatest Arabic poets laureate (1868 – 1932). He was nicknamed The Prince of Poets (أمير الشعراء).
He was an Egyptian poet and dramatist who pioneered the modern Egyptian literary movement, most notably introducing the genre of poetic epics to the Arabic literary tradition.
How much time does a native speaker of English need to master Arabic?
3 full years.
What is your favorite Arabic word?
سَلْمَى
Which Arabic word do you like least?
قَيْد
Remark: The word may denote fetter, shackel, chain; bond, tie; thong.
photo credit: pixabay (apriltan18)
Which Arabic dialect do you like best?
Egyptian LANGUAGE.
What is your favorite Arabic colloquial word or expression?
.مافيش ورقة في الشجرة إلا وهزّها الهوا
Every leaf in the tree has been moved by air.
What is your favorite Arabic quote or proverb?
.لم أبكِ من زمنٍ ذممتُ صُروفَه إلا بكيت عليه حين يزول
Every time I cried because of it, I cried for it when it's gone.
What is the best thing that was ever said about the Arabic language?
—
PHOTO CREDIT: MAHMOUD GOMAH.
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Do your best to earn money as long as it's halal.
Which three people would you like to invite for dinner?
My wife, my daughter, and my mother.
What was the last great meal you had?
A year ago.
What is your favorite city?
Istanbul.
Which book would you give to a dear friend?
قَواعِدُ الْقَهْوةِ الْأَرْبَعُونَ
The 40 rules of coffee. It is one of my books.
Remark: Mahmoud's book is not only for coffee lovers. However, if coffee has not been part of your daily routine, it will be after reading his book.
Mahmoud sets his own rules for dealing with coffee and opens a new window to a daily but also hidden world full.
What is your all-time favorite movie?
Friends.
What music do you listen to?
Classic eastern.
When were you happiest?
In 2013, when I got married.
Mahmoud's Facebook page. He discusses typical mistakes of native Arabic speakers.
What is your greatest fear?
To die before I prepare my daughter for life.
What is your life motto?
Fuck all!
Mahmoud, thank you for your time!
People who were also featured in this series:
- 20 questions for: Andreas Dietrich (#26)
- 20 questions for: Antoine Robert El Dahdah (#1)
- 20 questions for: Badrul Aini Sha'ari (#2)
- 20 questions for: Betül Aslan (#30)
- 20 questions for: Brian Powell (#16)
