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If a word in Spanish begins with an al-, more likely than not it's of Arabic origin. To get the isolated word in (Hispano-)Arabic, simply remove the "al-", as this is the equivalent of "the" in English or "el" or "la" in Spanish (I don't think Arabic has a distinction between definite and indefinite articles, so it could also translate as "una" or "un" or "a"). For example, the city name "Algeciras" (in Spain's extreme south):
al - geciras
الجزيرة
"Al Jazeera"
"(the) island"
Of course, the better known "Al Jazeera" today is the Arab media network, which I believe takes its name from its headquarters in the peninsular nation of Qatar. Also taking its name from "al jazeera" is the nation of Algeria and the city of Algiers.
Guadalquivir river in Spain(from al-wadi al-kibir, meaning the Great Valley)
Andalusia(al-Andalus), a region in Spain, also where the Guadalquivir is located.
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No, the name of the rivers in Spain have always been the same, but Arabs used the prefix "ouad" on all rivers.
The Moors Arabized many names ej: Valentia (actually "valencia") became known as Balansiya, is not the case of Al andalus but in theory the name comes from "al vandalus", many vandals entered to Morocco from south Spain.
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Arabs arabized names in parts of Castille and Andalusia, not up north or in Catalonia, in fact, no Arab words in Catalan, Gallego or Basque.
Andalusia = Land of the vandals
Zaragoza = Cesar Augusta
Balansiyya = Valencia (Valentia in Roman times)
River Anna = Guadiana
Etc..
The Vandals entered Spain in 415, sacked Andalusia, crossed the strait and went to Carthage and the Tingitania and from there invaded Italy (quite a bunch..)..
Most of the Arab words used in Castilian passed to other European language (azure = azul, a variety of blue), alcohol, etc.
In Catalan there are no Arab words:
azul = blau
aceituna = oliva
alcalde = batlle
Arabs arabized names in parts of Castille and Andalusia, not up north or in Catalonia, in fact, no Arab words in Catalan, Gallego or Basque.
Andalusia = Land of the vandals
Zaragoza = Cesar Augusta
Balansiyya = Valencia (Valentia in Roman times)
River Anna = Guadiana
Etc..
The Vandals entered Spain in 415, sacked Andalusia, crossed the strait and went to Carthage and the Tingitania and from there invaded Italy (quite a bunch..)..
Most of the Arab words used in Castilian passed to other European language (azure = azul, a variety of blue), alcohol, etc.
In Catalan there are no Arab words:
azul = blau
aceituna = oliva
alcalde = batlle
Very interesting.
I also heard that the term "Hijo/Hija de La Chingada" came from the moorish conquest. Could this be true? I know the north was never conquered. The music from the south, the flamenco guitar and the singing like the Gypsy Kings sure has that Arabic middle eastern flavor.
I also heard that the term "Hijo/Hija de La Chingada" came from the moorish conquest. Could this be true? I know the north was never conquered. The music from the south, the flamenco guitar and the singing like the Gypsy Kings sure has that Arabic middle eastern flavor.
We don´t use that expression in Spain, so i don´t think so, although there are some expressions that were used in the past and are still used in L America.
Arabs arabized names in parts of Castille and Andalusia, not up north or in Catalonia, in fact, no Arab words in Catalan, Gallego or Basque.
Andalusia = Land of the vandals
Zaragoza = Cesar Augusta
Balansiyya = Valencia (Valentia in Roman times)
River Anna = Guadiana
Etc..
The Vandals entered Spain in 415, sacked Andalusia, crossed the strait and went to Carthage and the Tingitania and from there invaded Italy (quite a bunch..)..
Most of the Arab words used in Castilian passed to other European language (azure = azul, a variety of blue), alcohol, etc.
In Catalan there are no Arab words:
azul = blau
aceituna = oliva
alcalde = batlle
Not in Catalonia, but they were in Valencia for 300 years. So maybe we don´t have catalan words of arabic origin in Valencià but we have a lot of town´s names: Benifaio,Benimamet, Beniferri, Benaguasil,,,,
I also heard that the term "Hijo/Hija de La Chingada" came from the moorish conquest. Could this be true? I know the north was never conquered. The music from the south, the flamenco guitar and the singing like the Gypsy Kings sure has that Arabic middle eastern flavor.
Really? I always thought that "chingar" was as Mexican as the tortilla.
But if it is indeed from moorish influence I'd really like a source !
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