Maumoon: Dr. Hassan Hameed’s dictionary an invaluable contribution to Dhivehi language

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, on Sunday, that the English-Dhivehi Dictionary, independently authored and compiled by prominent scholar and former Chancellor of the Maldives National University, Dr. Hassan Hameed, is an invaluable contribution to the Dhivehi language and literature.

The former president made the remarks while speaking at a special ceremony held at the Maldives National University's central administration auditorium to officially launch the dictionary.

In his address, Maumoon highlighted historical Arabic-Dhivehi dictionaries, including ‘Al-Is’aaf’ by Malin Moosa Maafaiy Kaleygefaan, noting that such works demonstrate the longstanding importance Maldivian scholars have placed on linguistic studies. He further observed that throughout history, dating back to the Mesopotamian era, dictionaries have served as important tools in the advancement of knowledge and civilisation. He described Dr. Hassan Hameed's work as a similarly significant and exemplary academic achievement.

Emphasising that compiling a dictionary is an exceptionally meticulous and demanding undertaking that cannot be completed within a short period or even a few years, President Maumoon described Dr. Hassan Hameed as a genuine scholar whose contributions extend far beyond holding an academic title.

"Compiling a dictionary is not a task that can be completed in a day, a month, or even a year or two. It is a far more demanding, intricate, and time-consuming endeavor. Therefore, I extend my profound gratitude to the learned Dr. Hameed for undertaking such a laborious task with immense patience over so many years,"  Maumoon said. 

He noted that Dr. Hassan Hameed has contributed to the education sector for more than 40 years, including serving as Chancellor of the Maldives National University from 2015 to 2023. Maumoon also noted that the university had previously presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his significant contributions to education, the Dhivehi language, and science.

Noting that the newly published 1,992-page dictionary contains more than 120,000 words, making it one of the largest publications of its kind in the Maldives, Maumoon observed that English has become the primary language of science, technology, and international communication. He described the dictionary as an important bridge enabling students, writers, and translators to better understand the richness of the English language through Dhivehi.

Maumoon also expressed concern about the potential erosion of the Dhivehi language amid the growing prevalence of English in the Maldives. He urged parents to prioritise teaching Dhivehi to their children and called for greater efforts to correct linguistic errors. Emphasizing that a nation's language is its most important medium for expressing its identity, heritage, and culture, he called on everyone to work collectively to preserve and promote the Dhivehi language.

The dictionary, authored by Dr. Hassan Hameed, weighs 2.1 kilograms. Following its launch and release to the public, a significant number of copies were sold immediately.