Difference between revisions of "Arab"
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[[Image:1937mecca-makkah.jpg|right|250px|Mecca]] | [[Image:1937mecca-makkah.jpg|right|250px|Mecca]] | ||
| − | '''Arab''' is a word which refers to an ethnic group as well as a language group. In modern [[term]]s, 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 | + | '''Arab''' is a word which refers to an ethnic group as well as a language group. In modern [[term]]s, 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 some of [[Christian]] Arabs, as well as other-religioned Arabs: actor [[Danny Thomas]] was a Christian Arab; the [[Coptic Church|Copts]] of [[Egypt]] are Christian Arabs. |
The Modern [[Arabic language]] is a member of the Arabian Semitic stock (which includes Hebrew) of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages, and with the Berberic languages, display remarkable structural similarities. | The Modern [[Arabic language]] is a member of the Arabian Semitic stock (which includes Hebrew) of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages, and with the Berberic languages, display remarkable structural similarities. | ||
Revision as of 04:49, August 13, 2008
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 some of Christian Arabs, as well as other-religioned Arabs: actor Danny Thomas was a Christian Arab; the Copts of Egypt are Christian Arabs.
The Modern Arabic language is a member of the Arabian Semitic stock (which includes Hebrew) of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages, and with the Berberic languages, display remarkable structural similarities.