English is a language which has undergone many variations and transitions to be what it is today - the modern English. The language which came around in the 5th century has many borrowed words from all the languages of the great Civilizations including Latin, Norman French and heavy borrowings of languages of countries surrounding England like French, German, Italian etc. Here are few English words which originated from the Arabic root words which we use in our lexicon every day and in our travel.
Let’s take a look at these words.
1. Safari
Arabic word: Safar Meaning: Journey Used: Common in travel expeditions meaning a journey or a trip, it is often used to mention something of an adventurous nature e.g. dessert safari.
1. Caravan
Arabic word: Karwan Meaning: A Company of travellers, a group of dessert travellers. Used: It’s been used extensively in naming models of cars, boats and aeroplanes. It also means mobile home, or people living in a vehicle and travelling.
2. Bazaar
Arabic word: Bazar Meaning: The place of price. Used : This word has become synonymous with a place selling a lot of things e.g. Supermarket
3. Zenith
Arabic word: Samt-al-ras Meaning: direction of the head, Path above the head Used: Used for describing a point above the head on an imaginary celestial plains, this word is used extensively in astronomy.
4. Tariff
Arabic word: Ta’rif Meaning: Notification, specification Used: Tariff is a word commonly used in all products especially in international trade with the added tariff a country imposes on imports.
6. Sahara
Arabic word: Sah’ra Meaning: Dessert Used: Used in naming the great Desert Sahara in Africa
7. Carrack
Arabic word: Qaraqir Meaning: Merchant ship Used: A merchant ship in the 15th and 16th century
8. Monsoon
Arabic word: Mausim Meaning: Season Used: Any winds that changes direction in a season, the winds bringing the rains and chills to a place.
9. Dhow
Arabic word: Dhaw Meaning: A Ship with 1 or 2 mast Used: A classic sailing vessel, now popular among many travel destinations are Dhow cruises. E.g. Dubai Dhow Cruises.
10. Wadi
Arabic word: Wadi Meaning: A river valley in the dessert Used: A watercourse in N. Africa and Arabia that remains dry except in rainy seasons.
