What is Arabizi? A Guide to Help You Understand the Arabic Chat Alphabet
Rima Abuharb 7/9/2024
About Arabic language
Let us step into the digital realm of Arabic communication with Arabizi! A unique mix of Arabic and Latin script with an addition of numbers, a revolution for online conversations. Arabizi blends Arabic sounds with some characters, creating a vibrant and dynamic way of typing. In this blog, we'll unravel the mysteries of Arabizi, exploring its origins, evolution, and significance in the digital age. Whether you're a curious language enthusiast or want to hop on the trend, join us as we decode the fascinating world of Arabizi and uncover its secrets.
How we speak in the classroom or workplace is usually not the same as when with friends or family. Formal, informal, and slang language works the same way globally! Arabizi is the main form of online communication for young people, and it is used for multiple reasons, either for typing faster or to be trendier. Take English slang as an example, where young people took formal English words and twisted them to make it easier to pronounce and type in chats. Arabizi holds the same concept, with many people using it nowadays mostly to follow the trend of being different and unique.
First, what is the definition of Arabizi?
Arabizi is an informal transliteration of Arabic using Latin script, often accompanied by numbers to represent Arabic sounds not found in the Latin alphabet, commonly used in digital communication and social media.
What about the origin of the word Arabizi?
It is a blend of the Arabic pronunciation of the word /ʻarabee/ as in the Arabic language. And the Arabic pronunciation of the word English /ingleezee/, both combined as such: Arabi + Englizi = Arabizi. However, among Arabic speakers, they call Arabizi as:
مُعَرَّب
/muʻarrab/
In this blog, we will also see how Arabs write down this word and other words that you can easily use and show off to your friends your Arabic language skills!
How does it work?
Written Arabizi involves changing Latin letters with Arabic ones based on similar sounds. Let us see an example!
The Arabic letter /qaaf/ is usually represented by the letter ‘q’ when written in Arabizi, and every other letter would have the same idea when written down.
Let’s see together:
قَلبي
/qalabee/
Heart
نَبات
/nabaat/
Plants
This is an easy example because the transliteration of these words is exactly how it is written in Arabizi. This example should give you an idea of how the system of Arabizi works, as simple as that where you use English transliteration to type in your words. But here is the trick! I mentioned before that some numbers represent some letters when writing in Arabizi!
Let us see some examples:
You might be wondering why these numbers are used for certain letters. Well, allow me to explain! Using these numbers allows Arabic speakers to approximate the sounds of every letter when using standard keyboards that are not equipped with Arabic characters. It also makes it easier to understand the dialect written in chats or to follow the trend! Now, these numbers are chosen for each letter because they visually resemble the Arabic letters in question or sound similar to the pronunciation of the letter in Arabic. For example, the number 3 represents the Arabic letter ع /ʻa/ because it resembles the shape of the letter and produces a similar guttural sound. Similarly, the number 7 is used for the Arabic letter ح /H/ because it resembles the shape of the letter and produces a similar sound just like the letter /ʻa/.
Check this table for more examples of Arabizi using numbers:
I’m assuming by now you have your guide to what Arabizi is! It represents a fascinating blend of Arabic and Latin script with numbers, made by the young generation as a bridge between formal and informal Arabic. It offers a unique way to express oneself through the digital age we are going through and makes communication a more fun experience. Whether Arabizi is used for convenience, trendiness, or simply showcasing your Arabic language skills, Arabizi continues to thrive as a dynamic and expressive form for Arabic speakers and language enthusiasts.
To find out more about Arabian culture download the Kaleela app or visit kaleela.com for more
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