C2 stylistics_register 3 min de lectura

Methods of Technical Terminology in Academic

Academic Arabic relies on deriving new technical terms from existing roots (`Ishtiqaq`) or standardizing loanwords (`Ta'rib`) to maintain linguistic purity.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Roots create modern tech terms.
  • Suffix 'iyya' makes abstract concepts.
  • Derivation is better than borrowing.
  • Consistency is key in academia.

Quick Reference

Method Arabic Name Mechanism Example
Derivation Al-Ishtiqaq Molding a root into a pattern `Hasub` (Computer) from `H-S-B`
Arabization Al-Ta'rib Phonetic adaptation of foreign words `Tiknulujiya` (Technology)
Translation Al-Tarjama Direct translation of meaning `Dhakaa' Istina'i` (Artificial Intelligence)
Metaphor Al-Majaz Old word, new meaning `Qitar` (Train - was camel caravan)
Compounding Al-Naht Fusing two words (Rare) `Kahramaa'i` (Electromagnetic)
Abstraction Al-Masdar al-Sina'i Adding -iyya for concepts `Dimuqratiyya` (Democracy)

Ejemplos clave

3 de 10
1

Tu'ad al-khawarizmiyyat asas al-barmaja al-haditha.

Algorithms are considered the basis of modern programming.

2

Yajib al-hifaz 'ala al-misdaqiyya wa al-mawdu'iyya fi al-bahth.

Credibility and objectivity must be maintained in research.

3

Ya'mal al-misbar al-fada'i bi-al-taqa al-shamsiyya.

The space probe works on solar energy.

🎯

The -iyya Trick

If you need to sound smart instantly, take an adjective and add 'iyya'. 'Modern' -> 'Modernism' (`Hadatha` -> `Hadathiyya`).

⚠️

Don't Force It

Sometimes the English word is just standard. Don't try to say `Shabaka 'Ankabutiyya` for Internet every single time. It's a mouthful.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Roots create modern tech terms.
  • Suffix 'iyya' makes abstract concepts.
  • Derivation is better than borrowing.
  • Consistency is key in academia.

Overview

Welcome to the VIP lounge of Arabic: Academic Technical Terminology. At C2, you aren't just learning words; you're building them. This is where we tackle the age-old question: "How do I say 'Quantum Entanglement' without sounding like I just landed from Mars?" Arabic has a superpower called *Derivation* that lets it digest modern science and technology into pure, authentic Arabic roots. It's like linguistic alchemy.

How This Grammar Works

Arabic doesn't just borrow words (well, sometimes it does, but it prefers to be creative). It uses three main strategies to create technical terms:

  1. 1Derivation (Ishtiqaq): The gold standard. Taking a root (like H-S-B) and molding it into a tool pattern (like Hasub for Computer). It's elegant and native.
  2. 2Arabization (Ta'rib): Taking a foreign word and forcing it to wear Arabic clothes. "Electron" becomes Iliktrun. It works, but purists might side-eye you.
  3. 3Semantic Extension (Majaz): Taking an old word and giving it a job upgrade. Sayyara used to mean "caravan"; now it means "car."

Formation Pattern

  1. 1The "Formation" here isn't a single conjugation table; it's a decision tree. When you see a technical term, it usually follows specific "weights" (Awzan) reserved for tools or concepts.
  2. 2The Machine Weight (Fa'aal): Often used for devices. Jarrar (Tractor), Naqqal (Carrier).
  3. 3The Tool Weight (Mif'al/Mif'ala): Mijhar (Microscope), Mis'ad (Elevator).
  4. 4The Abstraction Weight (Fa'aliyya): Used for concepts. Mas'uliyya (Responsibility), Intajiyya (Productivity). Think of the suffix -iyya as the Arabic equivalent of "-ism" or "-ity."

When To Use It

Use these high-level technical formations when you are writing a thesis, presenting at a conference, or trying to impress a professor who looks like they eat dictionaries for breakfast. It's essential for Scientific Papers, Legal Documents, and High-Level Media.

When Not To Use It

Please, I beg you, do not use Hatif (Telephone) or Rai'i (Visual/TV) when chatting with friends. If you say "Pass me the Mijhar" at dinner instead of just looking closer, you will lose friends. Stick to Mobile or TV in casual speech unless you want to sound like a time traveler from the Golden Age of Islam.

Common Mistakes

  • Over-Arabizing: Trying to translate "Sandwich" into Shatir wa Mashrub instead of just Sandawish. Sometimes, the loanword wins.
  • Ignoring the Suffix -iyya: For abstract nouns (Globalism, Structuralism), you *must* use this. Awlama (Globalization) is correct; Awlam is nonsense.
  • Inconsistency: Using Computer in one sentence and Hasub in the next. Pick a lane!

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • MSA vs. Dialect: In dialects, we just steal the English/French word (Television, Bortabil). In Academic C2, we *must* find the Arabic equivalent or a standardized Arabized form.
  • Classical (Fusha) vs. Modern (Mu'asira): Classical terms are revived (like Hatif for phone), whereas Modern formations often use the -iyya suffix for new ideologies (Ra'smaliyya for Capitalism).

Quick FAQ

Q. Can I just invent a word using a root?

A. Nice try, but no. The Language Academies (Majma' al-Lugha) usually decide these. But if you follow the patterns, people might understand you!

Q. Why are there two words for 'Mobile'?

A. Jawwal (the wanderer) and Hatif (the caller). Regional preference plays a huge role here. Just pick one and own it.

Reference Table

Method Arabic Name Mechanism Example
Derivation Al-Ishtiqaq Molding a root into a pattern `Hasub` (Computer) from `H-S-B`
Arabization Al-Ta'rib Phonetic adaptation of foreign words `Tiknulujiya` (Technology)
Translation Al-Tarjama Direct translation of meaning `Dhakaa' Istina'i` (Artificial Intelligence)
Metaphor Al-Majaz Old word, new meaning `Qitar` (Train - was camel caravan)
Compounding Al-Naht Fusing two words (Rare) `Kahramaa'i` (Electromagnetic)
Abstraction Al-Masdar al-Sina'i Adding -iyya for concepts `Dimuqratiyya` (Democracy)
🎯

The -iyya Trick

If you need to sound smart instantly, take an adjective and add 'iyya'. 'Modern' -> 'Modernism' (`Hadatha` -> `Hadathiyya`).

⚠️

Don't Force It

Sometimes the English word is just standard. Don't try to say `Shabaka 'Ankabutiyya` for Internet every single time. It's a mouthful.

💬

Academy Wars

Cairo, Damascus, and Baghdad academies often disagree on terms. You might see `Hatif` in one book and `Jawwal` in another. Both are fine.

💡

Context is King

Using `Hasub` (Computer) at an electronics store might make the clerk blink. Use it in your thesis, use `Laptob` in the mall.

Ejemplos

10
#1 تُعد الخوارزميات أساس البرمجة الحديثة.

Tu'ad al-khawarizmiyyat asas al-barmaja al-haditha.

Focus: الخوارزميات

Algorithms are considered the basis of modern programming.

Standard academic statement.

#2 يجب الحفاظ على المصداقية والموضوعية في البحث.

Yajib al-hifaz 'ala al-misdaqiyya wa al-mawdu'iyya fi al-bahth.

Focus: المصداقية

Credibility and objectivity must be maintained in research.

Using -iyya suffix for abstract concepts.

#3 يعمل المسبار الفضائي بالطاقة الشمسية.

Ya'mal al-misbar al-fada'i bi-al-taqa al-shamsiyya.

Focus: المسبار

The space probe works on solar energy.

Misbar (Probe) uses the tool weight Mif'al.

#4 هذا الهاتف ذكي جداً! (Informal context)

Hadha al-hatif dhaki jiddan!

Focus: الهاتف

This phone is very smart!

Correct word, but contextually simple.

#5 تمت أتمتة النظام بالكامل.

Tammat atmatat al-nizam bi-al-kamil.

Focus: أتمتة

The system was completely automated.

Atmata is a derived verb from 'Automatic'.

#6 ✗ الكمبيوتر خربان.

Al-kumbiyutar kharban.

Focus: الكمبيوتر

The computer is broken.

Avoid direct loanwords in formal writing.

#7 ✓ تعطل الحاسوب المركزي.

Ta'attala al-hasub al-markazi.

Focus: الحاسوب

The central computer malfunctioned.

Academic correction of the previous mistake.

#8 إن العولمة تؤثر على الهوية الثقافية.

Inna al-'awlama tu'aththir 'ala al-hawiyya al-thaqafiyya.

Focus: العولمة

Globalization affects cultural identity.

High-level sociology term.

#9 الزمكان هو دمج للزمان والمكان.

Al-zamakan huwa damj li-al-zaman wa al-makan.

Focus: الزمكان

Spacetime is a fusion of time and space.

Naht (blending) example - very advanced.

#10 تقنية النانو تفتح آفاقاً جديدة.

Tiqniyyat al-nanu taftah afaqan jadida.

Focus: النانو

Nanotechnology opens new horizons.

Direct Arabization of a scientific prefix.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct academic term for 'Globalization'.

تعتبر ___ ظاهرة اقتصادية واجتماعية.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: العولمة

Awlama (Globalization) fits the active process pattern, while Alamiyya means Internationalism.

Select the correct tool noun for 'Telescope'.

نستخدم ___ لرؤية النجوم البعيدة.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: المقراب

Miqrab implies a tool for bringing things close (Qarib), the standard term for telescope.

Convert 'Responsible' to the abstract concept 'Responsibility'.

يجب عليك تحمل ___ كاملة.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: المسؤولية

The suffix -iyya creates the abstract noun (Responsibility) from the passive participle (Responsible).

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Ayudas visuales

Loanword vs. Derived Term

Loanword (Lazy)
موبايل Mobile
لابتوب Laptop
Derived (Academic)
جوال Jawwal
حاسوب محمول Hasub Mahmul

How to translate a new tech term?

1

Is there an Arabic root with similar meaning?

YES ↓
NO
Check for visual metaphor
2

Can it fit a 'Tool' pattern (Mif'al)?

YES ↓
NO
Try semantic extension

Common Academic Suffixes

🧠

-iyya (Concept)

  • • Ishtirakiyya (Socialism)
  • • Waqi'iyya (Realism)
📚

-aat (Plural Technical)

  • • Lisaniyyat (Linguistics)
  • • Baryaniyyat (Optics)

Preguntas frecuentes

20 preguntas

Derivation (Ishtiqaq) is the winner. It uses the root system to build words like Sayyara (Car) from S-Y-R (to walk/move).

It is usually just transliterated as Fisbuk. Names of platforms generally don't get translated.

It's blending two words, like Barmai (Amphibious) from Barr (Land) and Maa' (Water). It's rare but cool.

The academic term is Barmajiyyat. It comes from Barnamaj (Program).

This plural form of the -iyya suffix often denotes a field of study or collection, like Riyadiyyat (Mathematics).

Yes, Al-Internet is widely accepted now, even formally. Shabaka is a purist alternative.

Ta'rib keeps the sound (Oxygen -> Uksijin). Tarjama keeps the meaning (Satellite -> Qamar Sina'i).

Raqami. It comes from Raqam (Number). Raqmana is Digitization.

Yes, Maghreb countries often use French-influenced structure or different roots compared to the Mashriq.

These are the rhythmic patterns or molds words are poured into. Mif'al is a common mold for tools.

Rarely. Hatif is the standard written term in literature and academia.

Group them by pattern. Learn all the Mif'al tools together (Microscope, Telescope, Elevator).

Medical Arabic is very specific and often uses old Classical terms revived for modern anatomy.

In C2 writing? Absolutely not. Use Hasanan or Tamam.

Istiratijiyya. It's an Arabized word with the -iyya suffix. Very common.

It means 'Term' or 'Terminology'. Ilm al-Mustalah is Terminology Science.

It helps immensely. If you know K-T-B, you know writer, desk, library, and book.

Midhya' is the classical tool name, but Radyu is very common. In media studies, Idha'a (Broadcasting) is preferred.

Arabic doesn't really do acronyms well. We usually spell it out or just say Nasa.

Artificial. Dhakaa' Sina'i (AI) or Qamar Sina'i (Satellite).

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