Europe speaks Arabic by Dr V. Abdur Rahman

Review by Zainab Nouri Al Mufti

The short:

A conversation between two characters showcases the vast, wide-ranging and enduring influence the Arabic language & culture have had on the world. Both historical & etymological, this book highlights the impact of Arabic on European languages.

The long:

Dr. V Abdur Rahman writes this book as a dynamic dialogue between two characters (European Eric and Arab Ahmed) who discuss the massive contribution of the Arabic language in developing & enhancing the world’s languages. Ahmed, an Arab character who champions the cause of Arabic, is also an alter ego of the author, and Eric represents a typical European reader who may read the book. Through lively exchanges, Ahmed teaches Eric about the etymology, phonetic change and semantic development of countless words from a range of European languages, and exposes their Arabic origins. The conversation is witty and laced with a sense of humour which is particularly engaging. Ultimately, this book will shock and inspire speakers of European languages, as Eric, the European representative states ‘These words are so many and so important that one may almost say that we in Europe speak Arabic.’

To read or not to read:

Read! The content of this book is fascinating, and the author’s profound depth of knowledge and mastery of foreign languages is praiseworthy. Although the subject matter is often intricate, the book is definitely accessible to the average lay person wanting to discover more about language.