Adapting Foreign Words
Arabization (التعريب) is how Arabic absorbs foreign vocabulary (like 'television' or 'computer') by reshaping them to sound and behave like native Arabic words.
How It Works
Definition and Process
Arabization (التعريب) is the process of adapting foreign words into Arabic. It involves:
- Phonological Substitution: Replacing foreign sounds with Arabic equivalents (e.g., 'P' becomes 'B', 'V' becomes 'F').
- Morphological Integration: Fitting words into an Arabic root and pattern system.
The Academy's Priority Hierarchy
To maintain linguistic purity, the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo follows a specific priority when naming new concepts, treating Arabization as the final resort:
- Derivation (Al-Ishtiqāq): Coining a new term from an existing native root (e.g., 'Hāsūb' for computer from the root H-S-B). This is the primary tool for expanding the language.
- Metaphor (Al-Majāz): Extending the meaning of an existing word (e.g., 'Hātif', originally an 'unseen caller', now used for telephone).
- Arabization (Al-Ta‘rīb): Adopting the foreign word if no native alternative can be derived or adapted (e.g., 'Kumbiyūtar').
Mu’arrab vs. Dakhīl
Linguists distinguish between Mu’arrab (معرب), words fully integrated into Arabic morphology like 'Dirham' (درهم) or 'Barnāmaj' (برنامج), and Dakhīl (دخيل), simple loanwords that do not fit traditional verb shapes or noun patterns, such as 'Tilifizyūn'. Once a word is Mu’arrab, it can be used for further derivation; for example, the verb 'Barmaja' (to program) was derived from the Arabized noun 'Barnāmaj'. In Modern Standard Arabic, both Mu’arrab and common Dakhīl nouns are generally treated as fully native in grammar; they follow standard case and mood endings. However, foreign proper nouns are often treated as nouns that refuse nunation. This diptote status applies to foreign names longer than three letters (e.g., Ibrāhīm); conversely, three-letter foreign names with a middle sukun (e.g., Nūh, Lūt) are fully declinable and take the indefinite ending.
Pluralization
Arabized words follow standard rules, often taking the regular feminine plural (e.g., fīrūsāt) or being forced into a broken plural pattern (e.g., aflām).
Examples (4)
- يفضل بعض اللغويين استخدام كلمة حاسوب بدلاً من كمبيوتر.
Some linguists prefer using the word 'hāsūb' instead of 'kumbiyūtar'.
Word by Word: Prefers some [of] the linguists use [of] word computer (native) instead of computer (Arabized).
This sentence contrasts a 'Muwallad' term (hāsūb), derived from a native Arabic root, with an Arabized term (kumbiyūtar) where the 'P' is replaced by 'B'.
- تمت برمجة النظام الجديد لتجنب الفيروسات.
The new system was programmed to avoid viruses.
Word by Word: Was-completed programming [of] the system the new to avoid the viruses.
This uses 'barmaja', a verb derived from an Arabized root, and 'fayrūsāt', which applies the regular feminine plural to a foreign loanword.
- يعتبر التلفزيون وسيلة هامة لنشر الثقافة.
Television is considered an important means for spreading culture.
Word by Word: Is-considered the television a means important for spreading the culture.
'Tilifizyūn' is a 'Dakhīl' (loanword) that remains outside the standard root and pattern system.
- درست الجغرافيا في الجامعة.
I studied geography at the university.
Word by Word: I-studied the geography in the university.
'Jughrāfiyā' is an ancient Arabized term showing how foreign sounds like 'G' are often replaced by 'J' or 'Ghayn'.
Common Mistakes
Writing a foreign 'P' with a letter that is not in the Arabic alphabet.
أريد پيبسيأريد بيبسيThe Arabic alphabet has no letter for 'P', so loanwords are normally spelled with ب (Pepsi becomes بيبسي). The same goes for 'V', which is usually written ف.
Using the Arabized 'tilifūn' in very formal writing.
Different Meaningاستخدام كلمة 'تلفون' في مقال رسمي جداًاستخدام كلمة 'هاتف' في مقال رسمي جداً'تلفون' is correct and common. In very formal writing, the Arabic coinage 'hātif' (from the root 'to call out') is often preferred.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand how foreign words are adapted into Arabic (Arabization), a learner must first grasp the core morphological system of roots and patterns. Since these borrowed words are treated as native nouns, the learner also needs to know how they receive case endings and how they are transformed into plurals using standard Arabic pluralization rules.
- Plurals That Reshape the Word
Arabized words often form their plurals using the broken plural system, which requires knowledge of how Arabic words reshape their internal structure.
Level 1 - The Case and Mood Endings
Once a word is arabized, it functions as a native Arabic noun, meaning it must take standard case endings (dhamma, fatha, kasra).
Foundations
Related Patterns
- Roots and Patterns
Arabized words are often forced into the root and pattern system to allow for further derivation.
Foundations - ـاتRegular Feminine Plural
This is the default plural ending for many modern Arabized technical terms.
Level 1 - Blending Words Together
A related lexical process where two Arabic words are blended together to create a new term.
Level 6 - The Ten Verb Shapes
Arabized roots are often conjugated using the standard ten verb forms, especially Form II and the quadriliteral patterns.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Adapting Foreign Words in Bubblegum
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