Browse Tag
al-Andalus
10 posts
al-Andalus (الأندلس) refers to the Muslim-ruled territories in the Iberian Peninsula from 711 to 1492. At its height, it included most of modern-day Spain and Portugal, and it was known for its cultural and scientific achievements, particularly during the Caliphate of Córdoba
A Few Arabic Letters, Estonia, and a 900-Year-Old Mystery | al-Idrisi’s Famous Map
In 1154, al-Idrisi mapped a land called “Astlanda” — likely Estonia, the Baltic country south of Finland. He also wrote down a strange Arabic name: “qlwn.” Was it an early trace of Tallinn, today’s Estonian capital? The puzzle still survives.
The Ironic Arabic Origin of Donald Trump’s Favorite Word: ‘Tariff’
The word "tariff" has a rich linguistic history, coming from the Arabic root ع-ر-ف. Over the centuries, it evolved through Persian, Turkish, and Latin before becoming the English term we use today.
Why Is كَأَنَّ a Sister of إِنَّ but لِأَنَّ Is Not?
This article delves into a fascinating Arabic grammar question: Why do classical grammarians list كَأَنَّ as a sister of إِنَّ, but not بِأَنَّ or لِأَنَّ? We explore the nature of the particle كَ, analyze common use cases, and examine examples from the Qur'an and classical poetry to find answers and invite further discussion.
The Legend of Tariq ibn Ziyad and the Burning of Ships
Tariq ibn Ziyad, a pivotal figure in Islamic history, famously led the conquest of Spain (al-Andalus). This article details the bold legend of him burning his fleet, analyzes his motivational speech, and explains the origin of "Gibraltar," providing insights into this significant historical event.
The 5 Greatest Arabic Grammarians of the Classical Era
This subjective list ranks the top five Arabic grammarians from the classical Islamic era. It covers giants like Sibawayhi (al-Kitab) and Ibn Mansur (Lisan al-Arab), detailing their pivotal roles in shaping Arabic grammar and lexicography.
“If you’ve been burned by soup you blow on yogurt” | Nesrin Amin | 9273 Roots #22
She's the creator of Bilmasri, a free blog and podcast that helps learners master the Egyptian dialect through movie clips, proverbs, and slow readings. Nesrin Amin discusses her passion for the colloquial poetry of Bayram al-Tunsi and how to "buy your head" in Egyptian Arabic.
“I’ve been driven half-crazy by the sheer number of untranslatable expressions” | Brian Powell | 9273 Roots #18
As the translation manager for Industry Arabic, Brian Powell has been "driven half-crazy by untranslatable expressions." He discusses the beautiful complexity of his job, why he loves the word برزخ (barzakh) for its Sufi meaning, and the "Elizabethan exuberance" of Egyptian Arabic.
“I’m a practical Arabic linguist” | Hossam Abouzahr | 9273 Roots #3
Hossam Abouzahr, the visionary behind Lughatuna (Living Arabic), delves into his journey building comprehensive online dictionaries for Arabic dialects, MSA, and Classical Arabic.
From Hans Wehr to Mobile Apps: 15+ Essential Arabic Dictionaries for Every Arabic Learner
Navigating the many online and offline Arabic dictionaries can be tough. This comprehensive guide reviews top resources for Classical Arabic, MSA, and dialects (like Egyptian Arabic), including Lane's Lexicon, Al-Mawrid, and specialized tools for verb conjugation and technical terms. Find the perfect dictionary for your Arabic learning journey.
TV Series in Classical Arabic (الفصحى) with English Subtitles
Finding TV series in Classical Arabic (الفصحى) with English subtitles can be challenging. This guide presents notable historical dramas like Musalsal Fath al-Andalus and the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal series (all 31 episodes with English subtitles), and also discusses Bible stories in Classical Arabic, offering valuable resources for language learners.
