Batir Wardam Blog: Jordan Watch Back in English

Batir Wardam Blog

Blogging about media, science, development, culture and future trends from the perspectives of a Jordanian liberal observer.

Jordan Watch Back in English

Monday, October 29, 2007

About one month ago I wrote a post declaring that I will stop updating Jordan Watch English edition for two main reasons; the lack of time for quality posts and a feeling that almost all of my readers are Arabic, so what is the point in writing in English too?

During the kast few weeks I discovered I was wrong in my assessments regarding the identity of the readers. First of all I received a lot of e-mails from foreigners in Jordan and some from outside the country saying that they respected my decision but would like to continue sending me messages about issues in Jordan to exchange opinions.

Furthermore, I received some notes from 3 scholars doing some research on media and blogging in Jordan who wanted my opinions. Then I received a very nice e-mail from the ambassador of a major European country in Jordan who said that he used to get some useful info from my blog and other blogs in Jordan.

Then I started to take some note of the identity of my visitors from their ISP numbers and was happy to see that some visits came from universities and research centers in the USA, EU, Asia and even latin America.

I am bragging but stating how I discovered I was underestimating the visibility of this blog, and certaibly other Jordanian blogs as informations ources for serious researchers and media professionals seeking knowledge about our country and the Arab World in general.

Based on this I have ree-considered my decision and will be annoying you again with my English posts. If there are any readers out there who are really interested in this blog and are unable to read Arabic then I have the enjoyable obligation of staying in touch and providing the modest contribution I can. This will be certainly an energizing factor and an incentive for me to blog in English.

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(12) comments

On October, 29, 2007 9:49 PM , 7aki Fadi
from Canada said:

YAAAAAAAY, I am glad it's back. I mean I can read Arabic and all but I liked your english posts better

On October, 29, 2007 10:25 PM , Qwaider قويدر
from United States said:

Excellent decision Batir.

What distinguishes you from many is your eloquence in both languages. You have an edge because you're also a professional writer.

Thanks for reconsidering, I'm sure many reader will appreciate that as well.

And PS, You're never bragging, what you mention is real facts.

On October, 29, 2007 10:37 PM , kinzi said:

I join 7aki: YYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!

I may not be a diplomat or researcher, but you and Nas and Khalaf help the Jordan Times make sense to me. Without your blog there was a sense of having just not enough info to form a small opinion.

On October, 29, 2007 10:40 PM , Deemco
from Jordan said:

I'm glad you've made that decision, I really enjoy reading what you write

On October, 29, 2007 11:24 PM , Nas
from Jordan said:

thank God...now my eyes can rest easy

On October, 29, 2007 11:31 PM , Mab3oos
from United States said:

Mr. Wardam,

khayr ma 3amalt.

el sha3b el 3arabi is hopeless to say the least. So, why don't you concentrate on foreigners on hope that you will have them yishfa3oolak youm elgyameh.
o kol 3am wil 3ar9 (on purpose) el deemogra6y bkhair.

On October, 30, 2007 12:31 AM , Jad
from Jordan said:

I join 3lak-msadi aka sawalif 7asedeh aka 7aki fadi

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

On October, 30, 2007 12:45 AM , Mohanned
from United States said:

Welcome back Batir, the blogsphere sure missed you..

On October, 30, 2007 3:03 PM , The Observer
from Jordan said:

It doesnt matter to me. I like reading your in both languages. Maybe it is better here to comment in English as I dont usually have a keyboard with Arabic font installed.

Why dont you write both languages at the same blog? You dont have to own two blogs. It can be the solution for all.

On November, 01, 2007 12:30 AM , Alessandra
from Italy said:

Good !!! I unluckly don't know Arabic, so I'm very happy that your blog is again in English! I at the least know it, more than Arabic

On November, 01, 2007 4:29 AM , Hani Obaid
from Jordan said:

Thank you. It was a sad day in my part of the blogoshphere when you initially decided to leave English, writing Arabic is just too difficult and while I enjoy reading it on paper, its painful online.

On November, 22, 2007 1:22 AM , sfd
from Jordan said:

Yeah!

I too am very glad you are back!

I can't read arabic and depend on you and other bloggers for news about Jordan.

great! (yes, I just realized that today!) I checked to see if you were covering the elections and was sooo pleasantly surprised.

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