2011 – Write a comprehensive note on the origin and development of Arabic Language.

Introduction:
The Arabic language is a very ancient language, to the point that makes some language-experts claim that it's the mother of all languages in the world and that they are all derived from this language and changed with time due to the process of development occured to each language. One of the great evidences for this opinion is the huge amount of the similar words and roots between the Arabic language & many languages of the world, for example this list of words :"algebra, rice, coffee, sugar, lemon, cotton, alcohol, arsenal etc..." are only a few of the many words found in Western languages which either are of Arabic origin or have been transmitted to the West through the medium of Arabic.

Origin:
Arabic is descended from a language known in the literature as Proto-Semitic. To this great family of languages belong:
1. The southern group: North Arabic (or Adanite); South Arabic
(or Sabaean or Himyaritic) and Ethiopic (or Geer)
2. The northern group: Canaanaean (Hebrew and Phoenician);
Asyrian and Babylonian; and Aramean, comprising Syriac, and many other dialects.
To investigate about the initial stages of Arabic language is not possible because when it came to be known to history, it has been entered into the period of development. Even the inscribed words on stones that were found in the peninsula are unable to inform about the initial stages of this language.

Development of Arabic:
On the basis of regional differences, Arabic language was divided in two forms:
1)Qahtanite
2)Adanaite
These two forms differ in style and diction from each other to the extent that Abu Umar bin Alaa said:
“Neither the language of Humair is ours, nor their diction”

Qahtanite form:
The Qahtanite form of Arabic, called Himyaritic, has almost
disappeared; and if still spoken, is to be found only among the
people of Mahrah, between Hadramaut and Uman. Inscriptions in the Himyaritic character are found on stones and columns in the ruins throughout Hadramaut and Yemen. This character the Arabs call al-khatt-al-musnad. Perhaps it is the language of the lost Arab tribes.

Adanite form:
On the contrary adanite form got the lead over Qahtanite form and later became the language of Quraish. The Quraysh dialect of the Northern Adnanite Arabic Language has, since the Muslim conquests, prevailed over all other forms of Arabic speech.

Role of markets and fairs in the development of Arabic:
People of Arabia used to hold fairs and markets in for financial purposes. In these fairs people from far off places came for business. Here Arabic language had an opportunity to develop through interaction of people of different regions. Competitions in poetry were also held in these fairs which also helped in the development of this language.

Impact of Islam on Arabic language:
Islam also made its contributions in the development of Arabic language and left an everlasting influence on it. Quran and Hadith made Arabic language more rich and expressive. The Holy Quran introduced new words in it e.g.
Al Qayam
Al Rakuh
Al Sajood
in the Arabic language. It became the language to communicate the divine message.

Conclusion:
The Arabic, until about the year 650 after Jesus, was the
speech of the Adnanite tribes. By the 8th Century – only 300 years after Arabic first developed as a unique language.It had become the official language of a vast world empire, spanning from Central Asia to the Atlantic Ocean to the Iberian Peninsula. In modern times, there are 12 different Arabic dialects spoken in 28 countries around the world.

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