Arabic
Arabic: A Language of Rich History and Modern Significance
Arabic, which evolved from the Aramaic languages, belongs to the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. The etymology of the term “Arab” remains uncertain, with several theories proposed. Some suggest it originates from a verb meaning “to explain,” while others connect it to the Semitic root “abhar,” meaning “to travel or move,” or the Aramaic term “arâbâh,” which translates to “desert.”
In the 7th century, Arabic emerged as the language of the Quran, becoming the liturgical language of Islam and the official administrative language of the Umayyad caliphate under Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, replacing Greek. Although it originated on the Arabian Peninsula, Arabic spread throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and even parts of Europe between the 7th and 12th centuries.
The influence of Arabic extends to many other languages, including English, Spanish and Italian, which have adopted numerous scientific terms from its rich vocabulary over the centuries.
Today, Arabic serves as the official language for 26 countries, 22 of which are members of the Arab League. It is also recognised as an official language by several international organisations, including the Arab League, the African Union and the United Nations.
At SMG UK, we provide expert translation and interpreting services in Arabic, ensuring effective communication across diverse contexts and cultures.
FEATURES OF MODERN ARABIC
The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, along with the hamza (or glottal stop). Unlike the Latin alphabet, it does not include the consonants “p,” “v” and “g.” Vowels are rarely written; when they are, they typically appear as diacritic marks.
Arabic is written and read from right to left, which means that Arabic books are bound on the right side and read in the opposite direction from what we are accustomed to. Punctuation marks, such as commas and question marks, are also inverted.
Arabic writing is unicameral, meaning there is no distinction between uppercase and lowercase letters. However, the shape of letters changes slightly based on their position within a word, whether they appear at the beginning, middle or end. Additionally, words in Arabic cannot be split at the end of a line, so letters are sometimes adjusted in size to fit the available space.
VARIATIONS OF THE ARABIC LANGUAGE
Arabic is characterised by a significant diglossia, with a clear distinction between the literary language and various vernacular dialects. Known as “Classical Arabic,” this form of the language has its roots in pre-Islamic poetry, evolved into Qur’anic Arabic (the language of sacred texts), and ultimately became recognised as Classical Arabic, the language of the Arab-Muslim world.
In addition to Classical Arabic, there is Modern Standard Arabic, which is taught in schools and used for both written and spoken communication in formal contexts. This version began to take shape in Egypt in the early 19th century with the advent of the printing press.
Arabic also encompasses various vernacular varieties, which are broadly classified into four main dialect groups: Middle Eastern, Bedouin, Maghreb and Sub-Saharan. While these dialects often share similar vocabulary, their pronunciations can differ significantly, sometimes leading to a lack of mutual intelligibility.
TRANSLATIONS INTO ARABIC
Arabic boasts a remarkably rich vocabulary and is spoken by approximately 295 million native speakers, making it the fifth most spoken language in the world. Its significance in the international economic landscape continues to grow. This is why SMG and our network of qualified partners are prepared to provide you with expert translation services across a wide range of linguistic combinations involving Arabic.
Translating into Arabic offers numerous advantages, including access to a diverse and expanding market. With a strong presence in the Middle East and North Africa, businesses that effectively communicate in Arabic can enhance their outreach and engage with a wider audience. Our team understands the nuances of the language and cultural context, ensuring that your message resonates with Arabic-speaking clients. Whether you require translations for marketing materials, legal documents or technical content, our commitment to quality guarantees accurate and culturally relevant translations that drive success in your international ventures.