The Urdu language is not just a language but it is tradition and an overall way of expressing oneself when at times another language may fail to do so, especially in the setting where we live. So in order to forever preserve that essence of the language a web edition of the Urdu language has recently been launched in Islamabad.
The digitization of the 22 editions of the dictionary took place due to the efforts of the advisor to the Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui, and under the patronage of Editor-in-chief of Urdu Dictionary Board Aqeel Abbas Jaffery.
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President Mamnoon Hussain speaking at the launch of the digital dictionary said that the digitalization of Urdu dictionary shall preserve a thousand-year-old culture and tradition of the land. According to him, Urdu dictionary is the biggest treasure of the country’s literary history, adding that the digitalization was a step forward in the promotion of Urdu language.
“Only those languages are immortalized whose historic background, vocabulary, forms and usage of words in different ages and lingual experiences are compiled in form of a proper and scientific glossary,” he added.
Furthermore, he added that the digitalization of the Urdu dictionary will help the younger generation gain a detailed understanding of the language. He also emphasized on the preservation of rare books, literature and research material used in the preparation of Urdu dictionary as a national asset, added that the government would fulfill the requirements of related institutions in their efforts.