Tag Archives: vocabulary

The “Would-Be” Active Participle in Arabic

مُتَفَلْسِف root: ف-ل-س-ف / form II quadriliteral active participle / definition: philosophaster There’s something comforting about being in this library as the Sun goes down and spills through the vast windows in waves of golden orange light, deluging everything around me in a soft, forgiving glow. Or maybe I’m just a would-be academic romanticising thisContinue reading “The “Would-Be” Active Participle in Arabic”

Arabic Observations: زوج and جوز

القَلْب root: ق-ل-ب / form I verbal noun / definition: transposition, alteration Something in this library is producing a noise that sits halfway between the whine of a hungry mosquito and the never-ending, impalpable ring of tinnitus, in both sound and annoyingness. I feel like it’s the fluorescent light directly above my head but letContinue reading “Arabic Observations: زوج and جوز”

Arabic’s Chameleon Words: أدّى

المَغرِب root: غ-ر-ب / proper noun / definition: Morocco This week, I’ve been missing Morocco and discovering Taiwanese fried chicken. I’m not sure there’s a direct link there, but who knows? It’s been six weeks in which the Sun has greened my eyes and I can’t fathom returning to London in ten. I’ve been embracingContinue reading “Arabic’s Chameleon Words: أدّى”

Uncommon Arabic Words for Dates

تَطْريز root: ط-ر-ز / form II verbal noun / definition: embroidery September feels notably less hot and humid than August here, but maybe—just maybe—I’ve successfully acclimatised to Doha’s weather in these four short weeks. Or maybe it’s that I’ve been keeping myself busy with things like the Palestinian embroidery (التطريز الفلسطيني) workshop I attended onContinue reading “Uncommon Arabic Words for Dates”

Arabic Headline Analysis #10 and an Invitation to Akkadian Class

دَعْوة root: د-ع-و / noun / plural: دَعْوات / definition: invitation, call There’s not much that lifts my spirits like an email from my enthusiastic Akkadian teacher, who reached out a few days back about resuming our language classes in October. As I’m spending a semester here in Qatar (and drowning in the workload ofContinue reading “Arabic Headline Analysis #10 and an Invitation to Akkadian Class”

Form I Active Participles of Hollow Roots

فَراغ root: ف-ر-غ / noun / definition: void, emptiness I’m wrapping up my last week in London for the next few months on the emptiness of fallen-through plans and the urge to claw out a silent space to curl up in and calm my mind. In the corner of my field of vision, I seeContinue reading “Form I Active Participles of Hollow Roots”