A perspective on the development of modern technical terminologies in Arabic: Linguistic terminologies in Modern Standard Arabic as a case study

Authors

  • Dr. Essa Alfaifi Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.3382

Keywords:

Arabic terminology, Arabic modernization, Borrowing, scientific terminology, coining words

Abstract

Due to globalization, and cultural and language contact, the ​Arabic​ ​language​ ​​has been​​ ​on​ ​the receiving​ ​end​ ​of​ ​a​ ​massive​ ​unidirectional​ ​influence​ ​from​ ​foreign languages in general and English in particular. This influence​ opens​ ​the​ ​gate​ ​for foreign​ ​words, ​ ​expressions, ​​scientific​ ​terminology, ​and​ ​stylistic​ ​features​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​access​ ​to Arabic. This paper investigates the methods of incorporation of modern technical scientific terms in Arabic. The paper also reviews the ​extensive​ ​debate​ among Arabic language planners ​regarding​ ​Arabic​ ​modernization,​ ​secularization, and​ ​westernization​ ​of​ ​its identity due to foreign influence.​

The paper compiles and examines data on (I) borrowing and (II) coining new words through templatic derivation, affixation, analogy, compounding, and blending. The paper evaluates the methods of terminology borrowing in the field of Arabic linguistics, as a case study. Furthermore, it discusses the distinction between a ‘word’ and a ‘term’ as the distinction between them resolves multiple issues regarding the incorporation of new words into Arabic.

The paper argues that borrowing is the best option to keep up with the rapid expansion of scientific terminologies in Linguistics and other scientific fields. The conclusion provides some implications and suggestions for Arabic publishers and language planners regarding foreign words in Arabic.

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Published

2024-03-31

Issue

Section

west languages

How to Cite

Essa Alfaifi, D. . (2024). A perspective on the development of modern technical terminologies in Arabic: Linguistic terminologies in Modern Standard Arabic as a case study. Lark, 16(2 pt1), 695-667. https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.3382