Arabic in the Spanish language

[rowan]

Some of the 4000 Arabic words deposited into the Spanish language during the eight centuries of Muslim rule.

Alcohol, Algebra, Asesino (kill/assassinate), Azucar (sugar), Azul (blue), cafe (coffee), cero (zero), droga (drugs), lima (lime), limon, loco (crazy), ole! (by Allah), & ojala (God Willing). Yes, the Spanish still say Ojala! and generally don't know where it comes from. In fact, it comes from the Arabic 'Inshallah!'

NB: The Muslims were mostly Berbers from North Africa. Only the leaders were Arabs. After the first few centuries they were confined to the south of Spain, and during the final few centuries to the Granada province only. By all accounts they were relatively peaceful rulers and well-received by many of the locals. They transformed Cordoba into the biggest and most modern city in Europe and introduced vast innovations to the continent in terms of science, medicine, mathematics and so on.

[belgarion]

And your point is?

[rowan]

This is a chat forum, Balgarion. That means 'a place to chat.' I found this interesting, and since this thread is for 'Politics and Stuff,' I thought it might qualify under the latter. I mean, who would have thought all those crowds at the bullfights were actually yelling 'By Allah!' as the matador did his work?

[Sandydragon]

Some of the 4000 Arabic words deposited into the Spanish language during the eight centuries of Muslim rule.

Alcohol, Algebra, Asesino (kill/assassinate), Azucar (sugar), Azul (blue), cafe (coffee), cero (zero), droga (drugs), lima (lime), limon, loco (crazy), ole! (by Allah), & ojala (God Willing). Yes, the Spanish still say Ojala! and generally don't know where it comes from. In fact, it comes from the Arabic 'Inshallah!'

NB: The Muslims were mostly Berbers from North Africa. Only the leaders were Arabs. After the first few centuries they were confined to the south of Spain, and during the final few centuries to the Granada province only. By all accounts they were relatively peaceful rulers and well-received by many of the locals. They transformed Cordoba into the biggest and most modern city in Europe and introduced vast innovations to the continent in terms of science, medicine, mathematics and so on.

Interesting how language can be adopted. Bit like the use of certain French words in English, although French influence was never as dominant as the Almoravids, followed by the Almohads who were a bit less friendly by most accounts.

[rowan]

Interesting how language can be adopted. Bit like the use of certain French words in English, although French influence was never as dominant as the Almoravids, followed by the Almohads who were a bit less friendly by most accounts.

Not so sure about that. English is about 20% French Latin, but formal English would be closer to 50%. That's because the French Norman invaders ran the government and all other political departments after conquering Britain. Stomach is Latin, for example, while Belly is old Germanic. A useful exercise to understand ust how much French changed the English language is to try and read Boewulf in the original (as we did at uni). Germans would have a better chance of understanding that than English speakers!

[zer0]

That's because the French Norman invaders ran the government and all other political departments after conquering Britain.

England.

[rowan]

Sorry

Yes, England. The word 'Britain' came from the Celtic tribes who lived in southern England and northern France (Brittany) when the Greeks first explored a few thousand years back. They painted themselves blue for battle and called themselves the Prettanique, which meant the painted people. The Greek word for the island was also taken up by the Romans, but fell into disuse after their withdrawal. It was revived upon the union of England and Scotland in the early 1700s, I believe.

[Stones of granite]

There's absolutely no reason why we can't keep on learning from Arabs

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/sa ... 07917.html

[rowan]

Saudis are about as representative of the Arabs as white Christian Americans are of Europeans.