by Bel-Lebneene

Lebneene/Neo Kanaane Kick-Off Gathering

Jan 7

Lebanese Language Meeting Minutes

Venue: Starbucks Byblos

Date: Jan 7 2019

Organizers: Mahmoud Rasmi* and Nassim Nicholas Taleb**

Duration: 3 hours

Order of business: to discuss ways for the promotion of our language: Llebneene

Suggested name: “Neo Kanaane” will hold until better suggestion

Why
Because we are proud of our language-heritage

Because our language expresses easily our thoughts, proverbs, and best means to
communicate

Observations

Nowadays, the language seems to be picking up and is already widely used in several areas,
including social media, advertisements, and restaurant menus.

Some dictionaries are being developed, including that of Roger Makhlouf***, and Emilio
El-Deeb****.

Previously, Said Akl and other authors tried to promote the use of Lebanese as a written
language, but focused a lot on the script. The project was put to a halt because, as Taleb
asserted, it was a top-bottom approach. The goal is to let the language evolve locally, following
a bottom-up process (tackled in depth below.)

Our thoughts/ Via Negativa

Localism is good. Language is a local attribute. Localism is not nationalism.

Our endeavor is neither, political nor sectarian, nor ideological. Anyone interested is welcome.

We will not promote a single use or format or letters, all scripts are encouraged as a start.

Being a complex system, we are counting on organic growth and positive element of surprise.

Our efforts are supporting / embracing the bottom up growth of the language

Action Items

· We need to develop a “text translator” to Neo Kanaane. Ideas are welcome. (using AI or
machine learning where we provide texts/tweets/Posts in both Neo Kannane and Arabic or
English and AI will process) (Another idea is to create a platform for an open source platform for
contributions to ensure a decent database for better translation results) (create something
similar to Yamli)(create hashtags #neokanaane, #bellebneene, for dual language posts on
social media)

· We need to generate content in neo Kanaane and encourage use of neo Kanaane (In
newspapers, TV news or any other platform that would promote the use of the language). ( an
example would be righting all proverbs in “Neo Kanaane.”)

Create a Data Base for content of “Neo Kanaane”, we currently have a medium account for this
purpose. ​https://medium.com/bel-lebneene

Means to communicate
Create a closed Facebook group for the participants. Aim for monthly meetings.

Next meeting tentative dates 23 /24 February. We encourage all participants to think of one idea
that could help in the development of the underlying project, and to share it with us in the
upcoming meeting. Thank you!

NB: el mahdar al jayi rah ykoun bel neo Kanaane (L ma7dar l jey 7a ykuun bel Lebneene.)

Richard G Hanna***** (AKA Abu Rashid)

*​https://twitter.com/Decafquest
**​https://twitter.com/nntaleb
***​https://twitter.com/lebaneselingui1
****​https://twitter.com/emiliodib
*****​https://twitter.com/zatara15