First MA Thesis in Arabic Language at DU

The College of Arts and Applied Sciences witnessed the first MA viva in Arabic Language and Literature in the presence of Dr. Khalid Al-Mashikhi, Dean of the College, on 05 December 2023. The MA dissertation studied the linguistic significations of brands in Salalah and was awarded the MA degree. The dissertation researched brands and businesses in Salalah and the mutual relationship between them.

The study concluded that the linguistic signification of brands has become diversified in recent times. The study suggested some recommendations including the need to assess the language policy and planning in business law in the Gulf and the need to produce media content that appeals to the current generation. The panel included Dr. Khalid Bin Abdullah Al-Suqair from Imam Bin Saud Islamic University, as an external examiner, Dr. Murtada Farah Ali Widaa, Chair, Dr. Said Bin Bakhit Bait Mubarak, as an internal examiner and Dr. Ahmed Bin Abdul Rahman Balkhair, as supervisor.

The second thesis was prepared by Sheikha Muhammad Musallam Al Amri under the title “Semiotics of Dhofari Proper Names (The Case of Wilayat of Mirbat) in Light of Boris Theory”. The viva committee comprised members of the pervious thesis viva committee and Dr. Zahir Al-Dawoodi, Head of Arabic Language and Literature Department at Sultan Qaboos University, as an external examiner. The study aimed at listing and classifying Dhofari names according to certain criteria. Also, the study focused on phonological linguistic and semantic aspects of these names. The thesis reached several conclusions on the common use of Dhofari names among large or small communities where certain names are more popular than others while some names are diminishing as the Dhofari people show tendency towards using more modern names. The study also concluded that it is possible to distinguish between male Dhofari names and female Dhofari names without the need of gender particles. Among the study’s recommendations are: the need to raise awareness about the significance of adhering to traditional names because they signify the cultural identity of the society at large, and the need to study names of places across Oman as well as to establish a national electronic platform for classifying names.