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Why Arabic Is So Important
That Arabic is an important language is quickly evident from two simple examples: First, it is the language of Islam, one of the world's major religions with approximately 2 billion followers, whose holy book (the Quran) is written in Arabic. Second, Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations (UN), alongside Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Additionally, Arabic is the official language in 26 countries, and more than 420 million people speak it daily worldwide.
Arabic differs significantly from many other languages. The most striking feature is its script, which, especially for European and American readers, is vastly different from the Latin alphabet. Arabic also has unique grammar and writing direction (more on that below). Adding to the complexity, there are numerous dialects, such as Egyptian Arabic, Moroccan Arabic, and Syrian Arabic. As such, Arabic translations require careful attention to detail.
Context, Grammar & Writing Direction
Arabic is a highly context-dependent language, meaning that the context of a statement is often more critical than the words themselves. Sentences can be long and carry multiple meanings. Therefore, anyone translating from or into Arabic must first thoroughly understand the content. Native speakers living in Arabic-speaking countries are best equipped for this task. They are also familiar with Arabic grammar, including how individual letters can take different forms depending on their position within a word and the absence of distinctions between uppercase and lowercase letters.
Arabic is written from right to left. A professional translation accounts for this and adapts the text accordingly. For experienced translators, this poses no challenge. However, things become more complex when translating not just plain text files but also graphics. In such cases, it’s worth considering a layout adjustment alongside the translation. This process integrates the translated text into the original design and ensures the layout matches down to the smallest detail.
How to Translate Arabic Effectively – And Why Most People Already Speak It
To ensure that Arabic translations resonate with the target audience, messages must be accurately translated and adapted both culturally and technically. The focus can vary: legal translations must be precise and leave no room for interpretation, while marketing translations require the right tone. Since producing a high-quality Arabic translation often demands more linguistic sensitivity than some other languages, it is generally worthwhile to hire a translation agency.
Fun fact: Arabic is already embedded in the vocabulary of most people. The origin of the word algebra (from the Arabic al-jabr, meaning "reunion of broken parts") might still be recognizable. However, with everyday terms like coffee (from Arabic qahwah, meaning "stimulating") or sugar (from Arabic sukkar, meaning "sweet"), most people may not realize that they are, in a way, already speaking a bit of Arabic.
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