The Dhivehi language has the characteristics of quality, dignity and honor. He wants to see a day when visitors to Maldives will ask about the history of the Dhivehi language, President of the Dhivehi Bahuge Academy Dr. Ashraf Abdul Raheem said on Saturday evening.
Speaking at the ceremony to announce the results of the literary competitions conducted by the Dhivehi Bahuge Academy, Ashraf said he would be happy to see island names displayed in Dhivehi script, not in English letters as they are now, so that visitors are drawn to ask about the language and its history.
“[I want to see] a day when every foreign visitor, whether from the African peninsula, or Australian, who visits the island, will ask what is this written, what are these beautiful letters, what is its history,” Ashraf said.
Ashraf said the influence of foreign languages ​​on official government documents should be reduced. He said that Dhivehi language is a language of quality, dignity and honor.
"Our language has quality. Our language has dignity, grace and the capacity to express with feeling and emotion. Our language has the ability to make you cry. Our language has the ability to make you laugh. Our language has the ability to affect," Ashraf said.
Ashraf said the importance given by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and some senior government officials to the Dhivehi language are exemplary.
"The captain is at the helm. The next step is to see how much we can support," Ashraf said, urging other leaders to pay special attention to the language and prioritize it as the president does.
Ashraf then advised the people to pay attention to their thoughts and nationalism and continue to learn knowledge. Ashraf also stressed the importance of maintaining good morals while pursuing education.
He went on to describe the journey of education and knowledge, making likeness of the lights that illuminate the path as those that govern the child’s discipline, such as parents and educators. He warned with his academic grace and linguistic excellence that if any of these lights dim or go out then the chances of the young minds to reach its true destiny will be greatly hindered.
It is worthy to mention that in recent years, many islands across the Maldives have installed large English-letter signs spelling out their names at island harbours, designed to be visible from afar and popular with tourists for photo opportunities.