APRIL 2024

CULTURE & HISTORY
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Fundamentals
of Arabic
BY ADHID MIRI, PHD
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The Arabic language is considered
one of the most elegant, pure
forms of language in modern literature.
With its rhythm and precision,
it is the cornerstone of poetry and expression.
What many people don’t know
is that, although it is the language of
prayer, recitation and poetry throughout
the Islamic world, the Arabic language
predates Islam. Its different dialects are
spoken by around 422 million speakers,
making it one of the top five most spoken
languages in the world.
The Arabic lexicon is extensive,
with over 12 million distinct words;
the Oxford English Dictionary has only
around 170,000. For example, Arabic
has 23 different words that mean “love.”
Choosing the correct word to use might
depend on the stage or strength of the
love and whether it is familial love, adoration,
sincere affection, infatuation,
burning desire, or any of the multitude
of feelings in between.
The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters,
all consonants; however, three of
those characters may be used to make
a long vowel sound in certain contexts.
Letters change shape depending
on their placement in a sentence
– they look different if they appear at
the beginning, middle, or end.
There are no capital letters in Arabic.
It is a cursive script, and the letters
are joined with connecting strokes. Unlike
English, it is read right to left and
everything sounds like it is spelled.
There is no neuter form, nouns are either
masculine or feminine. And there
is no format for abbreviations, which
makes translation work difficult.
Translation Challenges
Arabic is a figurative, poetic language,
often written with long sentences and
filled with literary devices such as
metaphor, figure of speech, allegory,
and simile – all of which are also difficult
to translate. Accordingly, and unfortunately
too much Arabic poetry is
waiting to be translated into English.
Translation between English and
Arabic is not always straightforward.
Arabic calligraphy is a highly regarded
element of Middle Eastern art.
This can result in some ambiguity and
presents challenges in preserving both
style and tone and avoiding multiple
interpretations of the same text.
Many Arabic letters, words, and
expressions have no direct English
counterpart. The alphabet itself even
includes some sounds that do not have
direct correlations in the English language.
For example, the sound of the
letter ‘ ’ is thought to be unique to
Arabic. In such cases, translators may
need to combine English letters to attempt
to create an equivalent sound.
Given the lexical ambiguity and figurative
nature of the Arabic language,
translation between Arabic and English
is not literal. To thoroughly understand
the context of the text and
capture the nuance of the language,
translators must be an expert in the
target language and highly proficient
in the source language.
The Arabic language stands as a
testament to the rich tapestry of human
expression, steeped in history, culture,
and tradition. Its intricate grammar,
nuanced semantics, and diverse dialects
present formidable challenges for
translation into English or any other
language. Yet, within these challenges
lie opportunities for discovery, understanding,
and appreciation of the depth
and beauty inherent in Arabic literature,
poetry, and everyday discourse.
While the task may be daunting, it
is also deeply rewarding. Through the
act of translation, we not only convey
words but also transmit ideas, emotions,
and cultural nuances across
linguistic boundaries. It is in this exchange
that the true magic of language
reveals itself, fostering connections,
fostering understanding, and enriching
the tapestry of human experience.
30 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024