walid khalil

Campaigning to transform global language use by elevating native spoken languages— used in daily life—to become fully capable of academic thought and literature

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

@nntaleb @Satyaki_R I thought Iranians are script native. In the sense that their daily spoken language is the same as the formal written language with minor differences. Unlike Arabic in two versions: spoken dialects and Fusha version. No?

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

@EliwiCohen You're fake...

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

England and France were early in moving toward participatory democracy not only because of political conditions, but because their linguistic development allowed it. By the time of their revolutions, both countries had sophisticated, standardized languages that were natively spoken by most of the population. This made it possible for larger segments of society—not just elites—to engage in debate, articulate solutions, and propose alternatives to autocratic rule. In contrast, countries like Germany and Russia were slower to democratize because their linguistic landscapes remained fragmented or inaccessible for much longer. Standard German only gradually became a native, unifying language, and Russian—though widespread—carried strong class and stylistic divisions until the twentieth century. Without a common, expressive, and native language, genuine public participation remained limited. Language, in this sense, was not just a mirror of society—it was a precondition for political transformation. #language #revolutions

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

Whether you believe in God or you don't, one thing holds true: God wouldn't allow to give palpable evidence of his existence because life for humans would be unbearable.

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

AI is revolutionizing the world of writing by democratizing expression. It empowers individuals, especially those who struggle with language or verbal articulation, to share their deep thoughts and ideas effectively. By bridging gaps in communication skills, AI fosters inclusivity and levels the playing field, allowing more people to express themselves and contribute their unique perspectives.

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

@Ibrahimdau380 Taking a break...

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

Without struggle there is no meaning to life

[Michel Accad @AccadMichel]

@karimbitar It’s the best of the later Tintin’s. A true masterpiece.

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

@shaavy2 @Swaroop20000101 I wanted to share with you the link to my book. If you just read the book description you'll understand my rationale why India won't progress by relying on English as opposed to a national native language.
https://t.co/UWU2CRSVaW

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

In the mid-20th century, India and China were among the world's poorest nations. China dropped its ancestral language and adopted spoken Mandarin for governance and education, while India adopted its colonial language, English. Today, China's GDP per capita is $13,500, while India’s is $2,400. Does language choice impact economic growth? 🤔 #Economics #LanguagePolicy #Development

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

The caste system is indeed a significant barrier, and some other nations have faced similar challenges. From my observation, societies that successfully overcome such issues often have a collective competence rooted in a sophisticated national language. This allows for nuanced expression, robust debate, and fosters social cohesion—key elements in addressing complex societal problems

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

The more participation in a cohesive society's debates, the more rational the discourse and outcomes will be.

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb's Wisdom @TalebWisdom]

"Never allow unsollicited advice from friends. Every time someone gave me a "friendly advice" on 1) writing style, 2) trading strategy, 3) How I should not be weightlifting, 4) Why I shd be nice to Monsanto, etc., I'm glad I did opposite. Be stubborn." - Nassim Nicholas Taleb

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

Civilizations fade when their languages die—Latin, Classical Arabic, Mayan, Ottoman Turkish. Not just words lost, but entire worlds. #LanguagePreservation #CulturalHeritage #Linguistics #History

[Michel Accad @AccadMichel]

Every Lebanese believes that Lebanon revolves around him.
Every Lebanese believes that the world revolves around Lebanon.
We are not at the center of the universe. The universe doesn’t really care about Lebanon, nor does it bother to conspire against us. (Sorry to disappoint.)

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

“When the native spoken language isn’t aligned with the language of academia, literature, and governance, collective competence weakens and the social fabric frays. 40% of the world suffers from this.

My book Classical Arabic and the Hibernation of the Arab Mind explores why this universal phenomenon keeps entire nations from progressing — and how we can fix it.”

https://t.co/th5hWoRtMt

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

I've observed that societies with a sophisticated native language suitable for governance, academic discourse, and literature tend to display stronger social cohesion and collective competence. This often leads to greater transparency. While the connection may not be immediately obvious, language reform could be crucial in addressing kleptocracy.

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

@bsl862023 Ok I get it

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

Recently, I ran a poll on developing the Lebanese language to become suitable for governance, education, and literature. The results showed 57% in favor. Based on what I've observed, a sophisticated native language strengthens both social cohesion and collective competence—qualities we currently lack in Lebanon. I'm genuinely curious about the perspectives of the 43% who voted against it. What are your concerns or reasons? I ask this with respect, as understanding all viewpoints is crucial for a meaningful dialogue. Let's continue this conversation together.

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

Based on my research and empirical evidence , I’ve reached a clear conclusion: there is simply no path to true modernization without elevating the daily spoken language to be suitable for academia, governance, and literature. Across the world, there isn’t a single example of a modern society where the language used in daily life is disconnected from these essential domains. Language reform isn't optional—it’s the foundation.

My theory builds on this: as daily spoken language diverges from the written language used for literature, academia, and governance, social cohesion weakens and collective competence declines. This disconnect makes it difficult for a society to express nuanced, sophisticated ideas or craft innovative solutions to the complex challenges we face today. Instead, people end up stuck in survival mode, dealing with endless local problems, with no energy left to invest in progress. That’s why modernization, in such a context, remains an elusive dream.

If we fix our language issue, we will then successfully reform our culture.

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

No modern, developed, and wealthy nation falls into the same category as Lebanon, where the daily spoken language is unsuitable for literature, academia, and governance. Given these facts, shouldn't we develop Lebanese to catch up with the modern world?

[walid khalil @alephbayt]

I totally understand what you're saying—I have the same issue with my kids. That’s exactly why I believe we need to develop a standard grammar for Lebanese. Once we have that, we can start translating works from Fus'ha Arabic and other languages into Lebanese. That would give us a starting body of literature and written texts. With grammar and reading material, we can finally teach Lebanese in a structured way. Right now it’s extremely difficult, because there are no standard texts, no agreed way of writing or reading it. We need to build that foundation first.