Abstract
This study is a comparison between Arabic language and English language in terms of their origin, history, structural power and influence on the daily life and the future. As this study is of a comparative nature it uses the descriptive, comparative and analytical approaches because they say what both languages are, what are the differences between them and analyse them.
Therefore, the study investigates the origins and the historical development of both languages throughout the centuries. It discusses the origins, the names, the different stages of development, and the categories of both languages. In Arabic, it investigates Classical Arabic, Standard Arabic and Colloquial Arabic. In English it discusses Old English, Middle English and Modern English. It investigates the linguistic features of each language. In Arabic, it discusses the grammatical structure changes according to the gender, plural, dual and singular form with the focus on the morpheme and At-Tanwῑn: Arabic grammatical device that connected with the last letter of the indefinite article. It highlights the great influence of the Holy Qur’ȃn on Arabic language. In addition to that, the study presents slight differences between the dialects of the geographical areas. The study also draws attention to the linguistic phenomenon of diglossia, which is the normal use of two separate varieties of the same language, usually in different social situations in the Arab societies. The study investigates the role of translation in the spreading of Arabic language. It makes comparison between Arabic and English in terms of the factors of their existence and influence, globally. Both Arabic and English have been taught worldwide in many schools and universities around the world with different objectives.
Key words: Arabic, English, origin, history, constructional power, influence, Classical Arabic