Tracing the Echoes: Arabic Influence on the English Language

Picture this: it’s Monday morning, and you’re off to your favorite café for that essential cup of coffee, with just a hint of sugar to shake off yesterday’s mild hangover from indulging in some alcohol. As you open your algebra textbook to finish off some last-minute work before class, little do you realize that words like “café,” “coffee,” “sugar,” “alcohol,” and “algebra” all have their roots deeply embedded in Arabic. Today, we’re going to delve into the fascinating Arabic influence on the English language.

Interesting facts about Arabic

Arabic stands as one of the oldest languages globally and ranks fourth in terms of the number of speakers, trailing only behind Chinese, Spanish, and English. Its significance extends beyond its linguistic realm, particularly among Muslims, for whom it serves as the language of the Quran. As Islam spread to various regions, Arabic’s influence grew, with many communities adopting it for both religious and practical purposes, even in areas where it didn’t go on to become the primary language

The spread of Arabic

Arabic influence on the English language is deeply rooted in centuries of cultural exchange and historical interaction.

During the Islamic Golden Age, spanning from the 8th to the 14th century, Arabic flourished as a language of scholarship, innovation, and cultural exchange.

Muslim scholars made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy, producing works that profoundly shaped human knowledge. Cities like Baghdad, Cordoba, and Cairo became renowned centers of learning, attracting scholars from diverse backgrounds to study and share ideas.

Concurrently, Europe was experiencing the Dark Ages, a period marked by political instability, economic decline, and limited intellectual pursuits.

As Islamic civilization thrived, European scholars sought knowledge from Arabic texts, leading to the translation of numerous works into Latin and vernacular languages.

This translation movement, particularly in places like Toledo, Spain, played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting ancient Greek and Roman knowledge, which had been significantly expanded by Muslim scholars.

The Crusades, beginning in the late 11th century, further facilitated the exchange of ideas between the Islamic world and Europe. Crusaders returning from the Middle East brought back not only stories and goods but also new knowledge and technologies. Arabic numerals, for example, replaced the cumbersome Roman numeral system, revolutionizing European mathematics.

Trade and commerce between Europe and the Islamic world were pivotal in this cultural exchange. The Silk Road and other trade routes enabled the flow of goods, ideas, and innovations. The Arabic influence on the English language is evident in words related to trade, such as “tariff,” “sugar,” “cotton,” and “admiral,” which entered European languages. This underscores the significant impact of Arabic on the lexicon of trade and daily life.

The rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century extended the reach of Islamic culture and scholarship into Southeastern Europe. The Ottomans’ control of key trade routes between Europe and Asia ensured continued knowledge and goods exchange. European travelers, diplomats, and merchants interacting with the Ottoman Empire often brought back new concepts and vocabulary.

Colonialism and exploration in the Middle East and North Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries further integrated Arabic words and ideas into European languages. As European powers established colonies and trading posts, they adopted and adapted local terms. This period saw the introduction of Arabic words into English related to everyday life, science, and technology.

The cumulative impact of these historical interactions is evident in the modern English language. Words such as “alchemy,” “algorithm,” “algebra,” “zenith,” and “nadir” all have Arabic origins, reflecting the profound influence of Arabic scholarship on European intellectual traditions.

Thus, the Arabic influence on the English language can be traced back to this pivotal era of cross-cultural fertilization and intellectual exchange, enriched by the dynamic interactions during the Crusades, thriving trade routes, the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, and the era of colonialism and exploration in the Middle East and North Africa.

From Roman numerals to Arabic numbers

One of the most influential Muslim scholars, Muhammed ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi, left an indelible mark on the English language. His work introduced concepts like “algorithm” and “algebra,” while also popularizing the Hindu-Arabic numerals we use today, marking a significant shift from the cumbersome Roman numerals.

Arabic influence on the English language and borrowed words

It’s hard to make an exact count of all the English words that were borrowed from the Arabic language. However, it is estimated that there are more than 1,000 English words that come from Arabic origins. Learning Arabic words similar to the English ones you already know is a quick and easy way to expand your vocabulary. Here’s a list of some of them:

English Word	Arabic Origin	Literal Meaning of the Arabic
Admiral	أَمِير البِحَار	Commander of the seas
Alchemy	الكِيمْيَاء	Chemistry
Alcohol	الكُحُول	Alcohol
Alcove	القُبَّة	The dome
Algebra	الجَبْر	The reunion of broken parts
Algorithm	خُوَارِزْمِيَّة	Al-Khwarizmi’s (related to the mathematician Al-Khwarizmi)
Apricot	البَرْقُوق	Apricot or plum
Arsenal	دَار الصِنَاعَة	House of manufacturing
Artichoke	الخُرْشُوف	The artichoke
Assassin	الحَشَّاشِين	A secret religious sect known for carrying out assassinations
Aubergine	بَاذِنْجَان	Eggplant
Carat	قِيرَاط	A small unit of weight equals 1/24th of the medieval Arabic gold Dinar
Candy	القَنْد	Solidified sugar cane molasses
Cipher	صِفْر	Zero/ empty or nothing
Coffee/ Cafe	قَهْوَة	Coffee from the Turkish “Kahva”
Cotton	قُطْن	Cotton
Crimson	قُرْمُزِي	Of the color crimson used to dye silk and wool in the medieval era
Elixir	الإكْسِير	The elixir, alchemical philosopher’s stone. Was believed to turn metals into gold.
Garble	غَرْبَل	To sift
Gazelle	غَزَال	Gazelle
Giraffe	زَرَافَة	Giraffe
Ghoul	غُول	Demon
Guitar	قِيثَارة	Lyre
Harem	حَرِيم	Sacred or forbidden place where the wives and female servants resided.
Hashish	حَشِيش	Weed/ grass/ herb
Henna	حِنّاء	Henna (hair dye)
Hummus	حُمُّص	Chickpeas
Ifrit	عِفْريت	Powerful or rebellious spirit
Jar	جَرَّة	Jar
Jasmine	يَاسْمِين	Jasmine
Jinn	جِنّ	Genies or spirits
Jumper	جُبَّة	Long robe
Kohl	كُحل	A type of fine powder used as eyeliner
Lemon	لَيْمُون	Lemon
Loofah	لِيف	Fibrous sponge
Lute	العُود	Lute (musical instrument)
Magazine	مَخَازِن	Storehouses
Mattress	مَطْرَح	Place where something is thrown (for sleeping)
Monsoon	مَوْسِم	Season
Mufti	مُفْتِي	Islamic legal expert
Muslim	مُسْلِم	One who submits (to God)
Mummy	مُومْيَاء	Bitumen (used in embalming)
Macabre	مَقابِر	Graves
Massage	مَسّ	To touch
Nadir	نَظِير	Opposite
Orange	نَارِنْج	Bitter orange
Ream	رِزْمَة	Bundle
Rook	رُخْ	Mythical bird or chess piece
Safari	سَفَر	Journey
Saffron	زَعْفَرَان	Saffron
Sash	شَاش	Fine muslin
Serendipity	سَرَنْدِيب	Sri Lanka
Sheikh	شَيخ	Elder or chief
Spinach	سَبَانِخ	Spinach
Sugar	سُكَّر	Sugar
Sultan	سُلْطَان	Ruler
Syrup/ Sherbet	شَرَاب	Drink
Tabla	طَبلَة	Drum
Tahini	طَحِينَة	Ground sesame
Talisman	طِلْسَم	Magic charm
Tamarind	تَمْر هِنْدِي	Indian date
Tariff	تَعْرِيفَة	Fee
Tuna	تُنّ	Tuna fish
Typhoon	طُوفَان	Water flood
Zero	صِفْر	Zero/ empty or nothing

So whether you’re enjoying a cup of coffee (learn more about the history of coffee in Egypt and Islam in this video), solving a math problem, or indulging in some delicious falafel, take a moment to appreciate how these two languages have come together to contribute to the beauty and richness that cultural exchange brings to our world.

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