Difference between revisions of "Arab"
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'''Arab''' is a word which refers to an ethnic group as well as a language group. In modern terms, an Arab is anyone of (1) Middle-Eastern descent and (2) has some facility in the [[Arabic language]]. Historically, the term was narrower, referring to only those from [[Arabia]]. There is a tendency among Westerners to regard all Arabs as Muslims, but this is incorrect, as there are lots of Christian Arabs, as well as other-religioned Arabs: actor Danny Thomas was a Christian Arab; the Copts of Egypt are Christian Arabs. | '''Arab''' is a word which refers to an ethnic group as well as a language group. In modern terms, an Arab is anyone of (1) Middle-Eastern descent and (2) has some facility in the [[Arabic language]]. Historically, the term was narrower, referring to only those from [[Arabia]]. There is a tendency among Westerners to regard all Arabs as Muslims, but this is incorrect, as there are lots of Christian Arabs, as well as other-religioned Arabs: actor Danny Thomas was a Christian Arab; the Copts of Egypt are Christian Arabs. | ||
The [[Arabic language]] is a member of the Semitic stock (which includes Hebrew) of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages, and with the Berberic languages, display remarkable structural similarities demonstrating common descent. | The [[Arabic language]] is a member of the Semitic stock (which includes Hebrew) of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages, and with the Berberic languages, display remarkable structural similarities demonstrating common descent. | ||
[[Category:Languages]] | [[Category:Languages]] | ||
Revision as of 19:23, July 17, 2007
Arab is a word which refers to an ethnic group as well as a language group. In modern terms, an Arab is anyone of (1) Middle-Eastern descent and (2) has some facility in the Arabic language. Historically, the term was narrower, referring to only those from Arabia. There is a tendency among Westerners to regard all Arabs as Muslims, but this is incorrect, as there are lots of Christian Arabs, as well as other-religioned Arabs: actor Danny Thomas was a Christian Arab; the Copts of Egypt are Christian Arabs.
The Arabic language is a member of the Semitic stock (which includes Hebrew) of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages, and with the Berberic languages, display remarkable structural similarities demonstrating common descent.