Anyone who knows Dubai, knows its an innovative place in lots of ways.
One area in which it excels is language, localization and translation. Due to being such a multinational and multilingual places, it is naturally also a hub of creativity when it comes to the use of language.
Until recently anyone familiar with the beaches in Dubai would have seen the signs above informing the disabled of where they can access the beach.
However, a new twist in language localization has led to the signs being replaced with new ones.
The inspiration behind the change comes from the ruler of Dubai himself, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who recently stated that he wanted to see disabled people referred to as people of ‘determination’.
The result? The Dubai government is installing new signs on seven of the city’s beaches that now look like this.
All the signs now read ‘beach access for people of determination’ in both English and Arabic. News sources state that the phrase was first thought of in Arabic and then translated into English.
Which Dubai beaches now have the new ‘determination’ signs?
Al Mamzar Beach Park, Al Mamzar Corniche, Jumeirah 3 and Umm Suqeim 1 and 2.
The signs are a perfect illustration of how Dubai continues to evolve, change and very much lead the way in certain respects. The current changes are also part of a commitment by Dubai to become 100% disability friendly by 2020.
The change in the language used in the signs is furthermore a great example of how simple changes in word or turn of phrase can have a massive impact upon those that read it.
This is why it so important in such a multilingual and culturally diverse place such as Dubai, that we invest in professional linguists with the skills and know-how to make positive changes through language localization and translation.
