Similarities Between Arabic and Sicilian

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In this video, we compare some of the common words between Sicilian (sicilianu) and Arabic (العربية) with Gaia, representing Sicilian, and Rita, as the Arabic speaker.

Starting in the 9th century, following the Abbasid conquest of Sicily, for over two centuries, the islands of Sicily and Malta were under Muslim rule, known as the Emirate of Sicily. During this period a variety of Arabic, known as Sicilian Arabic (Siculo-Arabic), was formed. A series of battles eventually led to the fall of Muslim rule and the re-establishment of Christian control over Sicily and Malta. However, Sicilian Arabic continued to be spoken under the new state for a few ensuing centuries until it eventually went extinct. The Sicilian language today still retains many Arabic words which had entered its lexicon centuries ago. Arabic continued to be influential for centuries following the Christian reconquest. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily in the early 13th century, was able to speak Arabic. In fact, in the ensuing years, a form of culture, known as the Norman–Arab culture (or at times referred to as the Norman–Arab–Byzantine / Norman–Sicilian culture) formed as a result of the mixing through the interactions that took place between the Arab, Latin, Norman, and Byzantine Greek cultures. The heritage of the Arabic language is also present in several Sicilian toponyms which are derived from Arabic.

Arabic is a Central Semitic language and has official/national status in Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, SADR, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania (Zanzibar), Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Sicilian is a Romance language primarily spoken on the Italian island of Sicily.
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I'm Sicilian, and I always knew there were Arabic roots to our words, but didn't know how deep it went. This is super cool!

mgraeberjr
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I'm Sicilian as well.... I heard that Mussolini came to Sicily and changed some of the towns names because they looked and sounded to Arabic....This is very true....Blessings to all my Arabic brothers and love you and never forgot about you

manitheman
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Amazing video! I'm a Sicilian that has studied Arabic and currently lives in Tunisia. There are also many other words like: giara (terracotta jar), rasta (vase), harara (fiever), gebbia (tank), taliàri (observe), zabbara (agave)... On the other hand, Tunisians use lots of Sicilian words because they had thousands of Sicilian immigrants from the late 19th century until the 60s.
It's incredible to notice how studying languages and history opens our minds...

albaservices
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I’m proud of my Sicilian heritage our history is rich in many cultures. I have middle eastern friends and I also mentioned to them we use Arabic words in our language great video

sergiopiparo
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Both of this girls represent mediterranean beauty❤️

mhdfrb
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I am from Malta which is geographically between Sicily and North Africa. We use most of the words mentioned in this video, so I think it would be interesting to do a similar video with a Maltese citizen in the middle.

manuelattard
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I'm Sicilian - Maltese and a lot of people are stunned when they learn that Sicilian is similar to arabic like Maltese. All the words mentioned in the video are also in Maltese too! Amazing to see the similarities with bkth languages. In fact Maltese is derived from both Arabic and Sicilian.

gregoriogucci
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I love when someone is able to underline what unite Us instead of putting lights on what differs leading to xenophobia, anger and hate. I loved this video. Great

mr_bamboo_
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I love this experience. My family is from Sicily, we've spent there plenty of time. Every Sicilian person is aware of the Arabic connection and legacy. But I've never seen such a meaningful démonstration. Thank you girls!

fabiobarbati
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The entire Mediterranean is a big beautiful mash up - genetically and culturally. Also, Sicilian music sounds closer to north African than Neapolitan. Great demo, thanks!

Tyrell_Corp
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The word rais is also used in Moroccan darija or language, it's called for someone who's like the captain of the fishing or traditional fishing as the girl from Italy says . 🇲🇦❤️❤️❤️

itsiliyas
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As an Algerian living in Europe, it really felt like coming home when visiting Sicily! I’ve also felt this natural connection with all the people i spoke to while visiting the whole island. ❤

riridz
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I'm Sicilian-American. Our family has DNA from both modern day Tunisia/Morocco/Libya and Syria/Lebanon, by way of Sicily. 💜 Love this video.

BellezzaBellyDance
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I love the acknowledgement that Sicilian is indeed a language! Cheers!

alandrosstettina
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This is such a brilliant video ❤ Love the added bits of background information. It adds a great dimension to the list of words. Thanks and congratulations to all three of you.

ArniPara
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what is most wonderful is to see 2 females smiling to each other with full of respect and understanding to each other
you are wonderful, we need more people like both of you 3 down here for sure
take care

Farid

farid
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What a wonderful combination of languages. Thanks for all participants to make it happen.

switt
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The Sicilian words mentioned in this video are more related to the Tunisian dialect, Rita is from Lebanon and that’s why some time she don’t understand the direct meaning of the Sicilian words. This video is really amazing thank you so much ❤️

ghassenchaieb
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My first discovery of your channel. I read a bit more about the Alasts - and wow, I am blown away. I love language - and to bring people from different cultures together to share something in common and maybe the world will become a better place. To watch these two young ladies discover some common aspects of language and culture was the best part of my today.

bill
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As an Arab, I love how my language influenced many languages in the middetearanean basin, I know there are many Arabic words all over Italy spain Portugal and even southern France to name a few. All these mixings created beautiful rich cultures all over.

seanou