Page 19 - UAE Truncal States_Neat
P. 19

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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