King Salman academy launches Saudi Voices Blog to document national dialects

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The King Salman International Academy for the Arabic Language (KSGAAL) has launched the Saudi Voices Blog project, and it plans to complete the Blog’s first phase by the end of 2024. (Supplied)
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Dr. Abdullah AlFifi, Head of the Linguistic Computing Department at the King Salman International Academy for the Arabic Language. (Supplied)
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Dr. Ibrahim Abanmi, Deputy Secretary-General of the King Salman International Academy for the Arabic Language. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 June 2024
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King Salman academy launches Saudi Voices Blog to document national dialects

  • Project features spoken and transcribed Arabic, including both eloquent and slang (local dialects)
  • Blog draws from various Arabic sources within Saudi Arabia, adhering to the latest scientific standards

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the Saudi Voices Blog project, aiming to complete its first phase by the end of 2024.

The project features spoken and transcribed Arabic, including both eloquent and slang (local dialects). According to the academy, the blog draws from various Arabic sources within Saudi Arabia, adhering to the latest scientific standards.

It aims to promote research in Arabic audio blogging, gather audio data on Saudi dialects, and build an audio blog using modern methodologies.

The Saudi Voices Blog represents different societal classes, documents their dialects phonetically, and uses modern technologies to provide phonetic data for the scientific community.

It also offers machine-readable audio material with morphological, syntactic, lexical and semantic analysis for AI models.

Saudi Voices Blog aims to engage lexicon authors, AI researchers and those studying comparative linguistic phenomena, age-related linguistic differences and Arabic language policy.

It uses the latest international standards such as CODA and TEI for structuring and managing audio language data. The blog encourages participation across age groups to accurately represent Saudi dialects and their diversity.

The blog targets Saudi dialects from more than 40 locations within the Kingdom. A designated recorder at each location will capture voices from various participant categories, including children, young adults and the elderly, both men and women. The recordings will be uploaded to the Falak platform, which covers topics such as storytelling, places, foods, customs, traditions, holidays, daily situations, and quotes.

Once completed, the Saudi Voices Blog will be available to researchers and stakeholders for studies, application development, and adding new geographical points.

It will also help AI developers to overcome the lack of data needed to study Arabic dialects, societal linguistic differences, and automatic voice identification or transcription.

The project aims to strengthen the global standing of Arabic, raise awareness and facilitate its teaching and learning inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Ibrahim Abanmi, deputy secretary-general of the academy, emphasized the importance of Arab audio blogs in enhancing the academy’s role as a reference for developing such blogs.

Abanmi highlighted the impact of Arabic audio blogs in supporting scientific research and preserving the heritage of Saudi dialects across different social classes.

Abanmi said that the blog was an unprecedented addition to phonetics and language research by providing audio material representing various Saudi dialects.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Fifi, head of the linguistic computing department at the academy, said that the first phase began with 50 individuals collecting data on 50 Saudi dialects.

He said that about 250 people, representing various age groups and both genders in Saudi Arabia, were participating in recording 2,500 audio hours for the blog.

After completing the high-quality recording and transcribing, the academy will implement a three-stage plan. The first stage involves labeling the audio data to enhance the podcast’s richness and usefulness.

The second phase will add new Saudi dialects not covered in the first phase, followed by expanding the blog’s geographical scope to include other countries.

Hajar Al-Shammari, a linguistic researcher in Saudi history, said that the Saudi Voices Blog was of international standing and offered many correlative products that stimulated research and studies, enriching the linguistic sector and its dialects.

The blog reflected the intellectual and cognitive richness of a region with diverse, intersecting dialects rooted in Arabic, a historical focal point connecting ancient civilizations in Asia, Africa and Europe, she added.

The blog allows linguistic and historical researchers to conduct specialized and interactive studies, contributing to significant outputs not only in the region but globally, given the Arabian Peninsula’s geopolitical and historical importance, Al-Shammari said.


Winners of Arabic language prize honored

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Winners of Arabic language prize honored

  • Final results were based on evaluations by judging committees, considering criteria such as creativity, innovation, performance excellence, impact, and achieved outcomes

RIYADH: The winners of the King Salman Global Academy Prize for Arabic Language were recently honored in Riyadh in individual and institutional categories.

The event, held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, focused on four main areas: Arabic language teaching and learning, Arabic language computing and services through modern technologies, Arabic language research and studies, and promoting linguistic awareness and community initiatives.

The total value of the awards for both categories amounted to SR1.6 million ($426,000), with each winner receiving SR200,000, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The final results were based on evaluations by judging committees, considering criteria such as creativity, innovation, performance excellence, impact, and achieved outcomes.

The award honors those who excel in serving the Arabic language, recognizing their contributions to preserving linguistic identity, promoting Arab culture, fostering loyalty, and enhancing communication within the Arab community.


Formerly conjoined Filipino twins return to Riyadh 20 years after lifesaving surgery

Updated 7 min 23 sec ago
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Formerly conjoined Filipino twins return to Riyadh 20 years after lifesaving surgery

  • Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo stayed for more than six months in the Kingdom in 2004 as guests of Crown Prince Abdullah
  • Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo stayed for more than six months in the Kingdom in 2004 as guests of Crown Prince Abdullah

RIYADH: Twenty years after they were separated in a complex surgery in Riyadh, two Filipino twins have returned to the Saudi capital to celebrate the medical expertise that saved their lives.

Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo stayed for more than six months in the Kingdom in 2004 as guests of Crown Prince Abdullah.

They were separated at Riyadh’s National Guard Hospital.

“After our separation, I gained a new appreciation for individuality and independence,” Princess Mae told the International Conference for Conjoined Twins on Monday.

Princess Ann and Princess Mae Manzo were separated at Riyadh’s National Guard Hospital in 2004. (Screengrab)

The event is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, a global leader in the field.

She was speaking during a panel discussion titled “Exploring the Multifaceted Impacts of Separation: Conjoined Twins and Families.”

The unique story of the Manzo twins proved the central focus of the discussion.

They are now thriving as third-year students in their native Philippines.

“While we still cherish the unique bond we share, it is a balance of gratitude for our shared paths and excitement for forging our path,” said Princess Mae.

The panel invited experts and family members to discuss the medical and psychological challenges of separating conjoined twins, as well as the broader social, educational and emotional implications.

Princess Anne said that the separation deeply impacted her and Mae’s emotional well-being.

“It has made us more self-aware individually, helping us understand our limits by living life separately with different groups of friends, different schools and different workplaces.”

Dr. Gopal Mitra, global lead on disability and development at UNICEF, highlighted stigmas surrounding conjoined twins, warning that an “obsession with normalcy” often leads to harmful stereotypes and social exclusion for those who are perceived as different.

“Stigma arises when we assign attributes and characteristics to groups of people based on our perceptions of difference — how they look, move, behave, or communicate.”

Mitra added that when a mother gives birth to conjoined twins, the family already faces stress and strain.

Strategies to combat negative perceptions include community engagement, the training of frontline workers and role modeling, he said, adding: “Princess Mae and Princess Ann are wonderful role models.”

Mitra said that inclusive education is a foundation for addressing stigma: “Inclusive education respects individuality and tailors learning experiences to the unique needs of each child.”

Dr. Ahmed Bawaneh, deputy country representative at IMC Jordan, highlighted the emotional and psychological challenges faced by conjoined twins and their families throughout separation and recovery.

“The stigma doesn’t go away after the separation. It’s there before, during and after. It’s something the twins and their families have to grapple with for a long time,” he said.

“It is important that we don’t look at conjoined twins as just special cases.”

After separation, long-term rehabilitation poses another challenge, requiring sustained support from mental health professionals, Bawaneh added.

“We must focus on the stressors they face and provide holistic, integrated support that addresses their mental, emotional and physical well-being. The importance of integrated mental health services cannot be overstated.”

The panel discussion served as both a celebration of progress and a call to action.

“The support system that I had was very helpful during the separation and recovery was my family,” the Manzo twins’ mother said.

Her words served as a reminder that behind every medical milestone is a network of caregivers who provide emotional strength, practical assistance and unwavering love.

“Inclusive education and an inclusive society are not just ideals but necessities — because every child deserves the chance to flourish,” Mitra said.

Preparing professionals to address unique patients is crucial, said Bawaneh.

“We must remember that these children and their families are not defined by their circumstances — they are individuals with dreams, challenges and incredible resilience.”


Saudi Arabia hosts global cybersecurity conference Black Hat 24

Updated 6 min 10 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia hosts global cybersecurity conference Black Hat 24

  • Black Hat 24 will host five national pavilions of the US, Canada, India, Egypt and Pakistan, alongside 43 exhibitors

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is hosting Black Hat 24, a global three-day cybersecurity conference organized by the Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Black Hat 24 will be held from Nov. 26 to 28 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham district, north of the capital.

Mutab Al-Qunai, CEO of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, told SPA that the event aims to enhance innovation and cooperation in digital safety.

The current edition of Black Hat 24 is also organized by Tahaluf, one of the federation’s companies, and partners with company Informa and the Investment Events Fund.

It will bring together cybersecurity leaders, security researchers, and startup pioneers to exchange knowledge about technological challenges and the latest innovations in cybersecurity.

Some of the experts speaking at the Black Hat 24 event include Nikhil Shrivastava, a leading security researcher from India; Bianca Lewis, founder of the company Girls Who Hack, which supports women in cybersecurity; and Kiran, known by the codename “7h3h4ckv157,” who worked as a security researcher at NASA to discover vulnerabilities in their digital security.

Participants will showcase their expertise in dealing with major cyber threats in leading international organizations.

Black Hat 24 will also feature an interactive platform for Saudi students, technical workshops, and a competition to test the audience’s skills in finding solutions to complex cyber challenges.

The Saudi global event will host five national pavilions of the US, Canada, India, Egypt and Pakistan, alongside 43 exhibitors.


Saudi crown prince receives message from South African president

Updated 10 min 55 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince receives message from South African president

  • Al-Rassi welcomed Gwen Ramakhoba, the Special Envoy of President Ramaphosa, who conveyed the message on behalf of the South African leader

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, which addressed relations between the two nations.

The message was delivered to Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, by Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, Undersecretary for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Public Diplomacy Agency, during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Rassi welcomed Gwen Ramakhoba, the Special Envoy of President Ramaphosa, who conveyed the message on behalf of the South African leader.

Discussions during the meeting focused on enhancing and developing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and South Africa across various sectors, as well as exploring issues of mutual interest.

This exchange highlights the strengthening ties between the two countries as they seek to expand their collaboration in multiple fields.


Global leaders gather in Riyadh to shape future of non-terrestrial networks

Updated 48 min 48 sec ago
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Global leaders gather in Riyadh to shape future of non-terrestrial networks

  • Event welcomed renowned researchers in technology and investment alongside regulatory authorities at both local and global levels
  • With over 120 countries represented this year, the forum reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in technological innovation and collaboration

RIYADH: The international Connecting the World From the Skies forum kicked off on Monday, bringing together ministers, industry leaders, experts and CEOs from leading companies specializing in non-terrestrial networks.

Under the patronage of Abdullah Al-Swaha, minister of communications and information technology and chairman of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, the event welcomed renowned researchers in technology and investment alongside regulatory authorities at both local and global levels.

In his opening speech, CST Governor Mohammed Al-Tamimi emphasized the forum’s significance as a vital platform for advancing NTNs in alignment with sustainable development goals, particularly addressing the challenge of space debris. 

He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment, in partnership with global stakeholders, to connecting the unconnected. 

As part of these efforts the CST, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, conducted a groundbreaking study aimed at harnessing communication services to reduce the global digital divide.

The Saudi Space Agency also announced the launch of the “Centre for Space Futures,” the first of its kind within the network of Fourth Industrial Revolution Centers affiliated with the World Economic Forum. 

Al-Tamimi said Saudi Arabia took pride in being one of the first nations to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for NTNs, including the regulation of direct-to-device communications, spectrum allocation for high-altitude platforms and global space sustainability frameworks. 

A key highlight of the forum was the announcement of the winners of the international Competition on Non-Terrestrial Networks for 6G, launched by the CST in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 

This year saw 17 countries take part with 114 research papers submitted, 77 percent of which came from researchers and academics.

The CST is also highlighting its recent technical experiments in NTNs, including the pioneering Seamless D2D Connectivity trial, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region. 

The forum is a key pillar of the NTN program, launched by the CST in 2021. The inaugural forum, held in 2022, attracted more than 3,000 participants. 

With over 120 countries represented this year, the forum reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in technological innovation and collaboration.