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GROUP PROFILE

Julaiha, Aimi, and Asma'

Group Members:

1. Name             : Julaiha Shazmira binti Malizan

    Year of Study: Year 4

    Email              : julaiha90@yahoo.com

2. Name             : Aimi Farhein binti Ramli

    Year of Study: Year 4

    Email              : aimyramli@gmail.com

3. Name             : Asma' binti Ab.Razak

    Year of Study: Year 4

    Email              : asma.abrazak@gmail.com

Islamization of Varieties of English

Assalamualaikum w.b.t.

 In our attempt to Islamize one of the linguistics’ subjects, we chose Varieties of English. We bet that people must be wondering, “why Varieties of English?” In certain part of our society, many misunderstood about the status of English language itself. They said that learning English is not as important as learning Arabic. Some said that one tends to be influenced by the negative cultures of the Westerns once he learned English language. No doubt about the status of Arabic is very important in a Muslim’s life. However, Muslims are encouraged to learn other languages mainly the languages that are spoken by many, mostly the languages that can be understood and are used by many people around the world. Why? Because being a Muslim means that we are the Daie. We have responsibilities to propagate Islam around the world. And to do this, we need to communicate to them using the medium they can understand. We are the caliphs of Allah.

Lovely friends,

As Allah has said in the verse 13 surah al-Hujurat, He created us in many people and tribes so that we may know each other. He created many languages so that we may learn and use it wisely to propagate Islam. As an example, look at Imam Suhaib Webb, Yasmin Mogahed and many distinguished figures that used English to explain the beauty of Islam to people.

Our dear friends,

Just because some of the cultures in where English is spoken the most are not very pleasant cultures, it doesn’t mean that English itself is a bad language. Everything is based on our niyyah (intention). If we were to have a bad purpose or intention in doing something, then it is a bad act. Otherwise, if what we are going to do can benefit the Ummah, no matter how challenging it is, stays put and move forward. Do not feeling down just because people said we are just an English major, we will never give a great contribution to the society and such and such. Remember one thing, if language can bring us closer to Allah, then what is wrong with learning it. No matter how difficult and tough the journey is, surely He’ll make it easy for us.

Lastly,

Insya Allah, this is the beginning of our contribution to Ummah. To encourage the Ummah learning English with Islamic values, and hence they will understand our purposes and efforts in learning English language. May this small step be counted for all of us.

Until then, Assalamualaikum.

Introduction to Varieties of English

Assalamualaikum w.b.t.

What is Varieties of English?

Why do we choose this subject to work on?

Those are the questions that were asked in the beginning of our group project.

Our answers lie within this post.

First and foremost, let me introduce you to Varieties of English (VOE). This subject deals with the linguistic variety of English spoken in different places all over the world. VOE deals with the differences that occur whether in written or spoken English. As English is a global language, it is inevitable to have slight variant in terms of its usage influenced by many internal and external factors. Hence, Varieties of English study, analyse and understands these differences.

We have chosen this subject because we see the importance of trying to inject as many Islamic teaching as possible to the subject that deals with the beauty of language. For example, while understanding English varieties like Hong Kong English (Konglish), Malay English (Manglish), African American English (BEV) and others, we are indirectly trying to understand the culture of the people. 

Quoting Nelson Mandela,

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

 Since it seems almost impossible to acquire all languages spoken by men, the next best thing that we can try is to learn and understand a common language shared by many to share our knowledge of Islam. Through this, we hope that this small start goes a long way.

Thank you for reading.

Muqaddimah

"To have another language is to possess a second soul."

                                                                  -Karl der Große

Assalamualaikum w.b.t.

Welcome to Islamization of Varieties of English blog. This blog is created as a part of group project requirement for ENGL 4740, one of the Linguistics subjects offered in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) under the Department of English Language.

As introduced by the name of the blog, the theme of this blog is Islamization, specifically under the linguistics field of Varieties of English. We chose the theme “Islamization” for the blog as we realize how important the islamization of knowledge today, especially in the field of English studies. Not to be prejudice or overgeneralize, people may think that English studies are so unislamic in some ways and just meant for non-Muslim to be studied by.

In the meantime, while other people might have been busy criticizing our so-called unislamic language studies, we here are trying our best in our attempt to Islamize one field of study for an improved learning environment, or at least an effort for a better understanding of the world. As this is our humble effort to contribute something to the world of language studies, we hope that this blog is being helpful and practical to all readers out there.

May Allah bless our day, Assalamualaikum.

 

Varieties of English