A perspective on the development of modern technical terminologies in Arabic: Linguistic terminologies in Modern Standard Arabic as a case study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.3382Keywords:
Arabic terminology, Arabic modernization, Borrowing, scientific terminology, coining wordsAbstract
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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