Filipino Languages FAQ

[1stLadyENT]

I have heard that there is some Arab descendants, and I really thought that was from Spanish!

I've learned even more! I hope its not to difficult to learn Arabic. I'd like to learn for business and conversational purposes.

[4jpz]

Thanks do-dong for your input re: Arabic influence in Filipino languages... You have a point there, but I have a few notes... and kindly correct me if I'm wrong... and preferably with citations... Thanks...

do-dong Wrote:if you think that one or to of these words are from spanish then jus know that the arabs conquered spain and stayed there for over 200 years. so spanish has some borrowed words from arabic

Arabs could have influenced Spain in terms of languages but then again some of the words you've listed are also used in other countries not just in Spain, and they have similar meanings too. You can read more of that below... So, we couldn't really conclude who influenced who until presented with evidence in a form of related literature... If you could cite a reference, that would be cool!

Okay here are the words you've mentioned that might have Arabic influence... and I'll share some of my research...

do-dong Wrote:salamat (thank you) - سلم - from the root verb sa-la-ma meaning to learn

This forum has discussed this very clearly... Read wordreference forum... and I still believe Salamat in Arabic is "Sukran"... How would I know? I am from Mindanao and this word is mentioned in every place with Muslim inhabitants...

do-dong Wrote:sallah (living room)- صالة - a place to keep your guess, guest room

According to webster online dictionary, these are the non-English languages which use "sala" in the same manner as in the Filipino language...
Chamorro: hallway, living room
Italian: hall, lounge, room, saloon
Papiamen: living-room, lounge, parlour, salon, salt, sitting-room
Polish: lounge, parlour, salon, sitting-room
Portuguese: chamber, living room, room
Portuguese Brazilian: room
Romansch: hall
Spanish: auditorium, chamber, hall, house, living room, lounge, room, saloon, ward

So, one couldn't really pinpoint the origin... But in a comparative note, "sallah", the same spelling as your stated word is also used but with different meaning. Source: webster online dictionary
Turkmen language: bachelor

do-dong Wrote:asukar (sugar)- السكر - from the root verb sa-ka-ra meaning to get drunk

This blog says it's "sukkar" from the Spanish "asukar"... Please read ummmaariyah blogspot

do-dong Wrote:sabon (soap)- صابون - from the root verb saw-ba-na meaning to rub with soap

What I know is that it's "jabon" in Spanish…

Other languages also used it. Source: webster online dictionary
Asturian: xabón
Chamorro: habon
French: savon
Indonesian: sabun
Kongo: sabuni
Macedonian: sapun
Malay: sabun
Maya: haabon
Papiamen: habon
Provencal: sabon
Romansch: savun

do-dong Wrote:alam (know[alam mo ba?=do you know?])- علم - from the root verb ah-la-ma meanig to learn

According to Wikipedia, and I quote:
"It can also be traced back to Arabs and the Persians. It is an Arabic/Persian word in its origin, and it means "the world".

Alam also means "flag" in Arabic."

[Guest]

what are the influences of arab to the philippines?