Arabic Words in English: Examples from Algebra to Tariffs

The Arabic language, spoken by over 400 million individuals worldwide, is a cornerstone of cultural richness and communication across diverse regions, notably the Middle East and North Africa. As we celebrate World Arabic Language Day every December 18, it is essential to acknowledge the historical and contemporary impact Arabic has had on global languages and cultures, fostering interconnectedness through trade, scholarship, and cultural exchange. This dynamic linguistic heritage continues to shape not only communication but also the academic and scientific landscapes of civilizations worldwide.

Arabic, one of the most widely spoken languages globally, boasts at least 400 million speakers, comprised of 200 million native speakers and an estimated 200 to 250 million non-native speakers. The language’s formal register, known as Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), is prevalent in governmental functions, legal documentation, and educational settings, while diverse dialects thrive across the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting the cultural nuances of these regions.

Each year, on December 18, the United Nations pays tribute to Arabic with World Arabic Language Day, underscoring its significance as “the pillar of the cultural diversity of humanity.” This date commemorates the 1973 decision by the UN General Assembly to recognize Arabic as one of its six official languages, a milestone that highlights the language’s prominent role in global discourse.

A visual explainer by ZezapTV delves into the influence of Arabic on contemporary English, tracing the origins of numerous commonly used words. The prominence of Arabic words in various languages is attributed to centuries of intercultural engagement through trade, academic publishing, and artistic collaboration. Renowned linguist Muntasir Al Hamad of Qatar University emphasizes this linguistic exchange as a “natural phenomenon,” occurring as languages adapt and borrow from one another.

Arabic employs an alphabet consisting of 28 letters, written from right to left in a cursive script, with letters changing form depending on their position within words. While some may perceive Arabic as challenging for non-native speakers, Al Hamad argues that this view is often misguided. He asserts that the difficulty arises not from the language itself but from its structural differences compared to English and many European languages. Learners with backgrounds in related scripts, such as Urdu or Farsi, frequently find Arabic more accessible than expected.

One of the notable contributions of Arabic to various fields is its influence on mathematics and science. Many Arabic terms comprising essential concepts in these disciplines have transformed over time, often becoming so ingrained in other languages that their origins are overlooked. For example, “algebra,” derived from the Arabic term “al-jabr,” which means “restoration,” has its roots in a seminal work by the Persian mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi.

Other Arabic words have undergone significant transformations; for instance, “carat,” used to measure gemstones, traces back to “qirat.” Al Hamad notes that such adaptations showcase how different languages modify unfamiliar sounds to fit their phonetic structures, as seen with the English word “giraffe,” derived from the Arabic “zarafa.”

Moreover, terms like “tariff,” originating from “ta’rif” (meaning “to notify”), illustrate Arabic’s profound historical links to trade and commerce. Al Hamad indicates that these words likely entered English through various intermediary languages and played a pivotal role during the era of cross-cultural exchange in the medieval period, consisting of trade, warfare, and diplomatic interactions.

As Arabic continues to flourish internationally, its rich heritage and ongoing influence remind us of the importance of celebrating linguistic diversity while embracing the interconnectedness among cultures.

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