Browse Tag
Hebrew
49 posts
Hebrew (العبرية): An ancient Semitic language that is the official language of Israel and is used in Jewish religious texts. It has a rich history and is known for its unique script and phonetics.
Maknuune and More: A Review of the Top 5 Dictionaries for Palestinian Arabic
Having your own language is vital for identity. This article introduces Maknuune (مَكْنُونة), an excellent new online dictionary documenting Palestinian Arabic. It also highlights other key resources for learning this important dialect.
Write Arabic in LibreOffice Without a Hassle: The Font Name Fix Extension
LibreOffice's default font settings can create a frustrating experience when switching between Arabic and other languages. This article explains the "Font Name Fix" extension, a simple solution to ensure your chosen Arabic font stays put, improving your writing workflow.
The Islamic Basmala: Its Meaning, Use in the Qur’an, and a Surprising Link to Immanuel Kant
The Islamic Basmala, "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful," found its way onto Immanuel Kant's doctoral invitation. This article delves into the Basmala's meaning, its presence in the Quran, and its unexpected appearance in popular culture.
The Ultimate Guide to Arabic Dialect Dictionaries (Online & Print)
Good dictionaries for colloquial Arabic are rare. This article compiles the best online and print resources for various Arabic dialects, offering solutions for Egyptian, Levantine, Moroccan, Sudanese, Iraqi, and Gulf Arabic.
Why Netflix’s ‘Perfect Strangers’ Sparked Backlash, and How to Add English Subtitles
"Perfect Strangers" (أصحاب ولا أعزّ), Netflix's first Arabic film, faced backlash in Egypt for its themes of infidelity and homosexuality. This article covers the film's plot, reasons for controversy, and a trick to watch it with English subtitles.
Kal-El and Ra’s al-Ghul: The Secret Arabic and Hebrew Origins of DC Comics Names
This article analyzes the Arabic and Hebrew origins of famous DC Comics character names. It explores linguistic and cultural connections for heroes like Superman (Kal-El) and villains like Ra's al-Ghoul, detailing their hidden meanings.
“I drove 4 hours across mountains for an Arabic class” | Marco Rateitschak | 9273 Roots #27
What drives a Berlin-born economist to travel four hours across the Hajar mountains for an Arabic class? Marco Rateitschak discusses his 15-year career with Middle East investors, his love for Gulf Arabic, and why he believes every new language makes you a new person.
The Surprising U.S. Military Origins of a Classic Arabic Language Course
This guest article by Reginald Hefner details the unexpected origins of widely used Arabic language courses. It traces how U.S. military language labs, phonograph records, and "survival language" methodologies influenced early Arabic textbooks.
A Life-Long Learner’s Guide: Marco Rateitschak’s Arabic Language Tips
Many Arabic learners lose motivation, but Marco Rateitschak has learned the language for over 20 years. This guest article explores his journey, including early challenges in Cairo and Riyadh, encountering diglossia in Dubai, and discovering new learning "magnets."
Can You Find the Arabic Root? An Analysis of 5 Deceptively Complex Arabic Words
Beyond simple derivations, some Arabic words like اِزْدَحَمَ (to be crowded), تَارِيخٌ (history), and مِينَاءٌ (harbor) feature complex roots and morphological changes. This article deciphers their linguistic patterns for advanced learners.
