Page 19 - UAE Truncal States

Nolo on Transliteration
lho correct Arabic version of such words and names. In a number of
cases the author was given two or more different pronunciations or
ways of spelling a name by different informants, and in the end there
was nothing to do but loss the coin and settle for one version, while
pointing out to the reader the existence of such pitfalls. The same
applies to the use of long vowels where ai, aw or oilier diphthongs
might also be in order (c.g. bidar or baidar).
A long emphatic vowel, expressed in Arabic by the use of Fatha,
followed by ’Alifif Kasra followed by Ya*5 and Damma followed by
Wawj, is rendered into English with lengthening signs over the
vowels a, 1 and u.
Having opted fora letler-for-letterapproach to the transliteration,
the final Ha. with two dots over it (To marbulah) and without dots is
always represented by h, even if it has to be pronounced as t because
of elision (e.g. dawlah al not dowlat all
Furthermore, the definite article is always written as al, even when
the pronunciation of it is governed by the initial consonant being a
“sun-letter”, (e.g. Umm al Nar not Umm an Nar).
The word Al in conjunction with certain tribal names means
approximately "the people of” (rather like Bani); it should not be
confused with the definite article al.
Exceptions to the system of transliteration as used in this book are
well-known names and place names such as Koran, Muscat or Doha
which are written in their most common form.

English Arabic
a I
b
t
th o

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