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Arabic - interesting facts

 

Arabic, one of the world's most ancient and widespread languages, belongs to the Semitic family. With its rich history and culture, Arabic harbours numerous intriguing facets that can capture the interest of a global audience, including Polish speakers. Arabic holds immense religious and cultural significance as the liturgical language of Islam, affecting billions of people. This article offers 20 paragraphs detailing principal facts, interesting features, and surprising tidbits about the Arabic language, which may prove useful for audiences across linguistic backgrounds.

Arabic is the native language of approximately 290 million people, with some estimates suggesting a figure closer to 400 million, positioning it fifth among the world's most frequently used languages.

It is the official language in 24 countries in North Africa and the Middle East, including Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan.

Arabic's development as a distinct language correlates closely with the rise of Islam on the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century AD. The modern standard Arabic (literary variant) is based on the Quran.

In Arabic-speaking countries, a phenomenon known as diglossia is prevalent, where two functionally different variants coexist and are used in various life spheres. The standard variant is reserved for official communication (media, education, religious worship, etc.), while dialects, often significantly different to the point of being mutually unintelligible across different Arabic-speaking regions, are used in everyday situations. The most commonly used dialect, in terms of user numbers, is Egyptian Arabic.

The Arabic alphabet is derived from Aramaic script and classified as an abjad, or consonant script. It denotes only long vowels and diphthongs, while short vowels are omitted. The alphabet consists of 28 characters, written from right to left.

For over 1.5 billion Muslims, Arabic serves as the sacred language for religious texts and ceremonies.

Arabic had a considerable influence on the development of Spanish, linked to the Arab expansion on the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages. Arabic loanwords can also be found in many other European languages. The word "sugar" is one of the most common, derived from the Arabic "سكر" (succar).

Other languages have also influenced Arabic, enhancing its extensive lexicon. For example, the word "table" has three equivalents in Arabic: "مائدة" (mā’ida - native), "طاولة" (tāwla - borrowed from Italian), and "تربازة" (tarabaza - borrowed from Greek).

In Arabic words, the letters are always connected (there is no separate letter printing in this language), meaning each letter can have up to four forms: stand-alone, at the beginning of the word (right side), in the middle, and at the end.

Regulation and unification of Arabic are undertaken by the Arabic Language Academies, which have headquarters in several Arabic-speaking countries, including Egypt, Syria, Morocco, and Jordan.

Arabic is incredibly rich and intriguing, drawing significant interest worldwide, including in Poland. Its beauty and complexity make learning the language both fascinating and challenging. As an Afro-Asiatic language, Arabic substantially differs from Indo-European languages, leading learners to discover many surprising characteristics.

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Diversity of dialects

The Arabic language has many dialects that differ from one region to another. Some may be so different that people who speak different dialects may have difficulty communicating. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to which dialect to learn – the most common is Standard Arabic, which is understandable for most language users.

Origin of the Arabic language

Arabic originates from the Semitic language group, including Hebrew, Aramaic and Amharic. Its origins date back to the second millennium BC, when the first records were made in languages considered the protoplasts of modern Arabic. Later, this language evolved and, under the influence of different cultures and languages, began to take new forms. As a result, the Arabic language was created, which is now spoken by the inhabitants of Arab countries.

Arabic alphabet

The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters written from right to left. Unlike the Latin alphabet, there are no diacritics in the Arabic alphabet, and independent letters combine in different forms depending on the word's position. Interestingly, there are no separate letters for vowels in Arabic, and their pronunciation is expressed using diacritics placed above or below consonants.

A language of great geographical scope

Arabic is the official language in 25 countries, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is spoken by about 420 million people, making it the fifth-largest language in the world. The Arabic language range includes the Middle East, North Africa, and numerous smaller communities worldwide. Therefore, knowledge of the Arabic language can open many doors in business, diplomacy, science or culture.

Arabic Language and Islam

Arabic is closely related to Islam because the Qur'an, the holy book of Muslims, was written in Arabic. Therefore, learning Arabic is important for Muslims to understand religious teachings and be able to put them into practice. Arabic is also the language of prayer and liturgy for Muslims, which means that knowledge of the Arabic language is crucial for full participation in religious practices. In addition, knowledge of the Arabic language can be helpful for those interested in intercultural or interreligious dialogue.

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Arabic alphabet

The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, and its writing runs from right to left. It is one of the most recognizable alphabets in the world due to its beautiful, distinctive letter shapes. Interestingly, in the Arabic alphabet, there are only consonants, although in practice diacritics, called harakat, are often used, which indicate the appropriate vowels. For an Arabic learner, mastering the alphabet can be one of the biggest challenges, especially considering the different directions of writing and reading from Polish.

Arabic calligraphy

Arabic calligraphy is an art of beautiful writing that has developed over time. In Islam, portraying human and animal figures is considered inappropriate, so calligraphy has become one of the most important types of art. Arabic calligraphy is used in the decoration of mosques, books, as well as in applied arts. Many calligraphic styles, such as Naskh, Thuluth, Muhaqqaq, Kufi or Diwani, differ in letter shape and composition principles. Arabic calligraphy is not only a beautiful form of art but also an expression of the spirituality and skill of the creators.

Variants of the Arabic language

The Arabic language is divided into many regional dialects that differ in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. The most important division is between classical Arabic, which is mainly used in literature and religion, and colloquial Arabic, which is spoken by people daily. Colloquial dialects can be divided into five main groups: Maghreb, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Arabic from the Arabian Peninsula and Levantine. The Egyptian dialect is one of the most widespread and influential due to the popularity of Egyptian films and music in the Arab world.

Arabic is one of the few languages with an article zero, meaning there is no clearly defined grammatical type. For this reason, when translating an Arabic text into another language, the translator must decide which grammatical type is appropriate for use in the context.

Arabic Language in Literature

With its rich tapestry of prose, poetry, and philosophical thought, Arabic literature has profoundly impacted world culture, shaping the literary traditions of multiple societies and contributing significantly to the world's literary heritage.

One of Arabic literature's most widely recognized contributions is "One Thousand and One Nights," a collection of folk tales and stories translated into numerous languages and adapted into various media. This collection introduced the world to memorable characters like Aladdin, Sinbad, and Ali Baba, now iconic global folklore figures.

The influence of Arabic poetry, known for its lyrical beauty and profound thought, can be felt in multiple literary traditions. Its complex forms and themes have inspired poets around the globe. The works of legendary poets such as Rumi, though originally written in Persian, were greatly influenced by Arabic poetry and touched readers worldwide.

Arabic literature's role in preserving and transmitting Greek philosophical and scientific texts to Europe during the Middle Ages cannot be understated. These works, translated into Arabic, were later re-translated into Latin, helping to ignite the European Renaissance.

In the modern era, the works of Arab writers, like Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz, have given international readers a glimpse into the Arab world, its history, society, and the intricacies of its modernity.

Arabic literature's impact on world culture demonstrates how literary creativity and wisdom transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, enriching human understanding and contributing to the diversity of global literary traditions. Its timeless themes and captivating storytelling inspire and influence writers and readers worldwide.

The Impact of Arabic on English

The influence of Arabic on English is often underestimated, yet it has been significantly impactful, especially in science, mathematics, and culture. This influence began in the Middle Ages, during the period of the Islamic Golden Age when Arab scholars preserved and expanded upon Greek and Roman knowledge.

Many English words that reflect scientific and intellectual progress, such as "algebra," "algorithm," "zero," and "cipher," have Arabic roots. The prefix "al," meaning "the" in Arabic, clearly indicates this origin. "Alcohol," "alkali," and "alchemy" are also derived from Arabic.

Additionally, Arabic's influence extends into the sphere of astronomy, with numerous star names like "Aldebaran," "Betelgeuse," and "Deneb," among others, being Arabic in origin. These were often adopted into English through Latin translations of Arabic texts.

In the realm of culture, particularly in music and food, English has also adopted several Arabic words. The guitar, originally the Arabic "qitar," is a crucial instrument in Western music. Terms related to exotic food, like "sugar" (sukkar), "lemon" (laimun), and "coffee" (qahwa), have been absorbed into English as well.

Moreover, with the growth of Islam, terms associated with the religion and its practices have also found their way into English, including "Islam," "Muslim," "Koran," and "Ramadan."

Despite the considerable time and geographical distance between the English and Arabic-speaking worlds, the impact of Arabic on the English language is profound. These influences reflect the historic intercultural exchanges and shared scientific heritage, which continue to facilitate understanding in our increasingly interconnected global society.

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Essential Arabic

 

English

Arabic

yes نعم (na’am)
no لا (lā) 
please لوسمحت (lawsamaḥt)
thank you شُكْراً (shukran)
I'm sorry آسِفٌ (āsif)
good morning صَبَاحُالْخَيْرِ (ṣabāḥăl-khayr)/مَسَاءُالخَيْرِ (masā’ăl-khayr) 
good evening مَسَاءُالخَيْرِ (masā’ăl-khayr)  
goodbye معالسلامة(ma‘aas-salāma) 
good night تِصْبَحْعلىخَيْر (tiṣbaḥ‘alákhayr)
hi مَرْحَباً (marḥaban)
how are you?  كَيْفَحَالُكَ؟(kayfaḥāluka?) 
well بِخَيْرٍ (bikhayr)
My name is...  …إسْمي (ismī…)
I don't understand أنالاأفهم('anala 'afham) 

 

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