The language of Aljamiyah.
Aljamiyah!
ﺔﻴﻤﺟﻠﺍ
Al Faatih'ah in Aljamiyah, in the Arabic script
ﻭﻜﻔﻧﺒﻝﺪﺭﻣﻮﻨﻝﻨ
ﻭﺴﻮﻴﺪﺭﻮﻜﻳﺭﺳﻴﻤﻲ
ﺲﻴﺎﺼﻨﺎﺒﻮﻠ ﺎﺪﻮﺘ
ﷲﺍﺎﺼﺫﺎﺪﻮﺪ
ﻭﺴﺮﺒﻴﺬﻮﺍﻞﺪﻮﺒﺍﺮﻠﺍ
ﻭﻴﺬﻴﻮﺠﻞﺪﻮﺮﺘﺴﻴﻤ
ﻲﻮﻜﻴﻔﻨﺒﻠﺍ
ﻭﺬﻮﻴﺪﺮﻮﻜﻴﺮﺴﻴﻤ
ﺖﻨﻤﻮﺴﺲﻮﺒ
ﺲﻮﺬ ﻲ ﺲﻮﻤﺒﺮﻴﺴ
ﺲﻮﻤﻜﺴﻮﺒ
ﺎﺪﻮﺠﺍﺭﻮﺒ
ﺏﻮﺴﺲﻮﻣﺠﻴﺮﻴﺪ
ﻮﺘﺤﺮﻮﻜﻲﻤﺎﻜﻠﺍ
ﺲﻴﻜﺲﻮﻠﻜﺎﺪﻲﻤﺎﻜﻠﺍ
ﻮﺪﺎﭽﻠﻮﺘﺲﺍﺲﻮﺒ
ﺎﺼﻨﺮﺮﻔﺮﺒﺪ
ﺲﻴﻜﺲﻮﻠﻜﺍﻥﻳﺬ
ﻥﻴﻨﺎﺤﻭﺒﻠﻻﺏﻮﺴ
ﺲﻴﻜﺲﻮﻠﻜﺍ
ﺲﻭﺪﻴﻏﺮﺒﻥﺎﺘﺴﺇ
ﻥﻴﻤﺍ
Al Faatih'ah in Aljamiyah, in the Roman script
Nel nomme del Benéfico, e Misericordiozo.
Tóa lobança ye deudança á Allâh, el Alrábo del Uniberso.
Maistro del diya del chuizio.
El Benéfico, e Misericordiozo.
Bós somente sirvemos e bós busquemos por achuda.
Diriche-mos sob el camí correhto.
El camí daquelos quiens bós has tolgado de perferençia.
Nien aquelos sob la albuha, nien aquelos quiens están perguídos.
Amin!
(In English)
(Introduction)
The language of Aljamiyah in Arabic, Aljamía in Castilian Spanish, was a language
or perhaps realated in nature, to a dialect of what was Old Castilian in the beginning. Much of archaic Castilian Old Spanish, can be seen and heard in the language of Aljamiyah, though the two were independent languages. It is considered to
contain some of the old pronunciation that modern Spanish or Castilian abandoned. Such as the
(sh) which is (x). The (c) before i, e, o, u, a, as either (s) (z) or (ç)! And new sounds to Aljamiyah such as, the double (ll) is (l). The (j) and (g) of Juan and gente to (ch). But in some cases, the language adapted it's own pronunciation that from the Arabic script of which it was written in. Such as, (b) for (v) at times. The (k)would be used for the hard (x). The silent (h) which
in Old Castilian was (f) as in Portuguese and Aljamiyah, would be omitted mostly. But the (h), would be kept in mainly Arabic words that entered Castilian Spanish, and the (p) would be adapted as well in some dialects. Castilian Spanish did not emerge truly until the 13th to 14th century. The modern day Castillian pronuciation, came many years afterwards.
Aljamiyah like Ladino that was spoken by the Jews of Spain, can be considered to be a dialect of Old Castilian blended with Arabic or in the the case of Ladino, with Hebrew. It is possible to call them dialects of Old Castilian Spanish, but yet it is also possible to call them both, two different languages entirely! Aljamiyah emerged truly, in the 11th to 12th century from vernacular Latin or early Castilian. It's purpose was to bring more converts into the religion of Islam, by the Moors. Though today the language is mostly extinct, and very few archives of it were preserved, it has mainly been seen as a forgotten
language of the Moors!
The world Muladí in Castilian, came from the Arabic pl word Muwali-converts! This
term was used by the Moors, to describe every new convert of Islam. Many were either
Basque, Visigoth, Castilian, Portuguese, Catalan, or Andalusian who did not breed with the
Moors in the beginning. Some Moriscos and Mudéjares, were known to have been
the product of the Muladí! The Aljamiyah that was used for this webpage, is from the modern Roman alphabet. After the introductions, scroll down to see, the basics of Aljamiyah!
(The Aljamiyah language of Al Andalus)
It is important to point out, that the following Aljamiyah and that of Leonese Aljamiyah etc, were basically the same form of speech. And despite the fact that in the end, the dialects of all Aljamiyah sadly enough, abandoned the Arabic script in which it was originally written in centuries ago and adapted the Roman alphabet, it still was and is, adaptable to be written in the Arabic script. Though I was not able to use the Arabic script for this webpage. I shall nevertheless use a example or two, of the Arabic manner of the Roman alphabet writing. The following, is Aljamiyah in the Roman script.
(Aljamiyah Alphabet)
a-ah as in fat ﺍ
b-be as in blue ﺏ
c-ca as in car ﻙ
ch-che as in chair ﭺ
d-de as in dog ﺪ
e-eh as in it ﺇ
f-effe as in first ﻒ
g-ge as in go ﮒ
gua, gue, gr ﻍ
h-ha as in heart ﺡ exception are (hei, note, óto, and a few others which are silent)
hua, hue-hwa, hwe close to w ﻍ
i-ee as in feet ﻲ
k-ke as in extra ﻙ
l-ele as in lamp ﻝ
ll-elle as in million ﻯﻠ
m-emme as in mother ﻡ
n-enne as in no ﻥ
ny-enye as in onion ﻯﻨ
o-o as in sold ﺅ
p-pe as in paper ﺚ
q-qua as in Koran more stronger than the ke sound ﻕ
r-erre as in right ﺭ
s-esse as in same ﺲ
ç-se as in salaam ﺺ
t-te as in talk ﺖ
u-oo as in foot ﻮ
x-xe as in ship ﺵ
y-igrega as in yard ﻯ
z-ze as in zajal ﺫ
(Dipthongs)
ai-a followed by ee, as in ja-eesh
au-like in cow
ei-like in day
eu-e as in get followed by, o as in foot
ia-ee as in feet, followed by a as in ah
ie-i as in ee of feet, followed by e of get
ua-u as in oo of foot, followed by a as in ah. Close to the w of Arabic, and minor gh of Arabic
üe-u as in oo of foot, followed by e of get. Close to the w of Arabic and minor gh of Arabic.
(Numbers)
0-zero
1-uno
2-doz (m) duaz (f)
3-treys
4-quatro
5-çinco
6-seys
7-siepte
8-óto
9-neu
10-diez
11-onze
12-doze
13-treyze
14-quatorze
15-quinze
16-dizeseys
17-dizesiepte
18-dizeóto
19-dizeneu
20-beinte
21-beinte ed uno
30-tranta
40-quaranta
50-çinquanta
60-sesanta
70-septanta
80-ótanta
90-neutanta
100-çien
200-doszientos
1000-mil
2,000-dos mil
1,000,000-un milyon
(Colours)
black-hatél, hatela
red-hamarél, hamarela
white-baiadél, baiadela
green-caderél, caderela
orange-bortaguél, bortaguela
purple-archuyanél, archuyanela
blue-zaraguél, zaraguela
yellow-gummél, gummela
brown-bunnél, bunnela
gray-ramadél, ramadela
The Aljamiyah that will be presented, is what was called simply Aljamiyah. It is said to have been the Aljamiyah dialect of mainly the Aragonese Mudéjares and Moriscos and as well the Tangarinos, mostly Berber Moors. But as well, those who were from Asturias, Extremadura, Castilla, León and Andalucía in Spain. And from Algarve, Coimbra and Miranda in Portugal. Infact, on the contrary it would be Aragonese, Leonese, Galician, and vernacular Andalucian Baetico, that would have a more impact in influence on Aljamiyah, than that of Castilian Spanish per say historically speaking! Though to some any form of Aljamiyah, that was spoken by the Moriscos or Mudéjares in Spain, was and is considered to be nothing, but a mere dialect of Old Castilian! As far as modern day speakers of this dialect of Aljamiyah, it is safe to say, that there are hardly any. If such languages as Asturian, Aragonese, Extremeño, Leonese and Mirandés are falling more and more by the way of extinction, just imagine how very few if any speakers of Aljamiyah, are there presently!
I will not concentrate on trying to make the comparison between what is called in present day Andalusian Aljamía, and this particular ancient dialect of Aljamiyah. Nor will I deal with the issue of trying to resurface the very first manuscripts or resemblance of the Aljamiyah that was first created by the Moors. Nor deal with the literary language, of Aljamiado in which as Aljamiyah and Andalusian Arabic, were all forms of creation, by the Moors, written or spoken! Because as to be expected, like in any other languages as in the case of Aljamiyah, the language evolved into dialects of it's own. Much like it's two major languages, of Castilian and Arabic! What was created back in the XI century or so by the Moors, was unfortunately lost! Most of it, at the hands of the madness of Ximénez de Cisneros and the Spanish Inquisition, and as well by it's natural dissipation. But what is odd and unknown to many Muslims, and scholars even Spanish Cristians is the fact, that Aljamiyah despite the fall of Granada in 1492 and even including the exile of the Moriscos in 1614, still continued to be spoken though secretely and unbeknowingly! Infact it was chronicled by a Christian monk during a visit to the village of Almudébar in the province of Aragón, that he came across a man who claimed to be a Morisco. A true descendant and last few descendants, of the Moors of Al Andalus. Only his last name was of interest which was, AlCorán! Yes deriving from the Arabic word of, Al Qur'aan! The date, was sometime during the mid 1740's. Thus it proved that even then some one-hundred and so years after the exile of the Moriscos from Spain, the language of Aljamiyah, was still alive and spoken by a Moorish descendant of Al Andalus!
As the Portuguese Moors fled after the Reconquest of Portugal in the year of 1064, many Moriscos and Mudéjares of Algarve, Beja, Coimbra, Covilhã and Miranda, were forced to flee Portugal and make their way to ultimately, the provinces of Extremadura, León, Castilla, Andalucía, Asturias, and Aragón. At the time of the last arrival of these Portuguese Moors, all but the enclave of Granada in Andalucía, remained in Moorish control. Yes, all of the aforementioned, were indeed in the hands of Christian Spain! As to be imagined life, was somewhat harsh and unbearable for the Mudéjares and Moriscos of Aragón, and those who emigrated there. Surrounded by Christian Spain, and mainly Castilla or Castile, they were harsh restrictions put upon them, mainly in the form of their language, and above all religion! But on the other hand it must be said, that the petty skirmishes between the Christians themselves, allowed the Moriscos and Mudéjares of Aragón, to continue still speaking Aljamiyah and praticising Islam. Arabic unfortunately as in the case with our modern day Hispanic umma, was by that time, a foreign language to them with the exception, of it's religious usage.
Now to the language itself! I have decided, to make a comparison to it's closest languages of which, were Portuguese, Castilian, and as well Aragonese, Galician, and Asturian to a minor degree. But oddly enough, Arabic had entered the dialect of Aljamiyah, more than it did with Castilian itself! Once again, the following is what was called, Aljamiyah. And I must admitt, that when I stumbled onto this ancient dialect that was last spoken in the 18th century, I was amazed by the fact not because of similarity with Castilian nor Portuguese. But more the fact, that there were quite a chunk of Arabic words and a sprinkle of Berber words still evident yet altered, within Aljamiyah.
(The Pronunciation)
Where exactly does Aljamiyah, differ in pronunciation with it's conquering language of Castilian? As aforesaid in the introduction. First, where the (h) sound replaced the (j) sound, Aljamiyah retained it in (x) and (ch). Where the (ç) or the cedilla was replaced by the (th) sound, Aljamiyah retained it. Where the (x) was replaced by the (x) but sounding like (k) than (sh), Aljamiyah retained the (sh) sound of earlier Castilian. Where the silent (h) replaced the (f), Aljamiyah retained the sound. As for Porutuguese, new sounds entered Aljamiyah, such as (ei) replacing the (e) in certain words. The (l) for the double (ll) of Castilian in some words denoting, the Portuguese influence! The usage of the (ll) pronounced such as (ly) compared to the (y) in the (ll) of Castilian. Similar to the (lh), with the Portuguese or (lio) in Latin's (melior). But in Aragonese, the (ch) would be used in certain words. Where early Arabic came in, was with the (ch) and (r) for certain Castilian (ll) and in (h) words. This is also, something that was seen as an effect of Portuguese. As a linguist, I tend to believe that it was mostly a consequence in the similarity of the two in this case. Yet the (ll) in Aljamiyah is more aligned to Portuguese (lh), than the (ll) of Castilian. And though in Aljamiyah, as in Portuguese the (ll) is used for such word as (fillo)in Aljamiyah to (filho) in Portuguese itself. This is a mere coincidence and influence from the (liu) of (filius)in Latin meaning, son.
Examples of the usage of the (r), (l) and (x), for the Castilian double (ll), and other sounds since then replaced in the Castilian language, but yet retained in Aljamiyah such as the (b) sound which has been retained in Aragonese and employed in Andalusian. This is credited to the influence of Arabic as the harsh (h) in Castilian is attributed to Arabic!
Castilian-lamentar
Aljamiyah-ramentar or lamentar
Castilian-llamar
Aljamiyah-xamar or clamar
English-to call
Castilian-llevar
Aljamiyah-lebar identical to Portuguese (levar)
English-to carry, or take
Castilian-llegar
Aljamiyah-plegar or xegar
English-to arrive
Castilian-gente as in (h) hente
Aljamiyah-xente as in (sh) for ship or (ch) chair.
English-people
Castilian-hablar, hacer
Aljamiyah-fablar, fazer
English-to speak, to do
Castilian-haber, hallar
Aljamiyah-aber, axar
English-to have, to find
Notice that in the last example, the silent (h) of Castilian though not written in Aljamiyah, is pronounced the same. Thus it would be in Castilian pronounced (aber) just as in Aljamiyah. But in the case of Castilian's (allar) in Aljamiyah it would be (achar) The (ll) which sounds like (y), would be pronounced (x,)or (pl). Though in older Aljamiyah, the (y) was commonly used in spelling, for the double (ll). As well as the double (nn) for the Castilian (ñ). But it is now either just one (n) as in (ano) for year. Or the (ny) as in (Espanya) for Spain. The (e and ei) situation in Aljamiyah.
Example
Castilian-comienzo
Aljamiyah-comienço
English-beginning
The (ie) is seen here to be used as if to denote, the Castilian influence. But in the next example, you see the Portuguese influence.
Portuguese-dinheiro
Aljamiyah-dineiro
With the exception of the (h) the (ei) is identical to that of (ei) of Portguese.
But in the case of these two words, you find some of Old Aragonese influence in the following two words.
Aragonese-nusatros
Aljamiyah-nosaltros
English-we
Aragonese-atro
Aljamiyah-altro
English-another, other
You see the influence of Portuguese, Castilian, Aragonese, Catalan, and believe it or not Arabic in the pronunciation of the language.
It has been said, that these odd sounds, were mostly attributed to the Castilian and Leonese speakers of each province by the Mudéjares, Moriscos, who spoke these two languages when they mingled with the Christians of Northern Spain. But I tend to believe, that the influence of the mannerisms in way of speech, that the Moriscos and Mudéjares spoke in, had to do with some of these unique soundings. The Arabic infuence perhaps, that of the (ç, s, z) sound more like the Arabic (s and z). The (h) in such words as (ahuedo, daua,) etc, was pronounced as the aspirating (h) in Arabic! The (b) originally instead of the (v) that entered toward the later years of it's influence in speech in Al Andalus. Of course this, is strictly found in the words of Arabic origen! Thus, it makes logical sense to me as a linguist that Arabic though extinct mainly by then, still retained a sense of influence in the pronunciation of the language.
(Orthography)
The orthography once again, was an adaption of the Roman Alphabet. I shall present examples of the language, written in the Roman Alphabet but as well, written in the Calíma form of Aljamiyah. Or simply the slang or less formal orthography! But the Calíma (from Arabic Kalima) form of orthography, is also the major form of it's poetry usage. Árabigo, was the language it was written in Arabic, and was written in Arabic by pronunciation. First the much more infamous form of Aljamiyah of which, I have used in this wepbage, Almadraça (from Arabic Madrasaa)implying a more refined form of the language and sadly enough, ended up being through the influence of neighbouring Castilla, the only permitted form of the language.
Example 1
Almadraça-Eu non sei o refo nada, porque non siu alim.
Calíma-Yo non sey o refo nada, porke non siyo alim.
Árabigo-Yu nun sey u rifu naadaa, purki nun siyo aleem.
English-I don't know nothing, because I am not a scholar.
Notice in this example of (k) for (q), and the (u) for the (o). The verb (saper) to know, from which (sé) comes from. I am alluding to the words of (refo) and (alim). They are indeed of Arabic origen. (Refo) in the verb (refar)-to know, comes from the Arabic verb of (ya'raf)-to know. And (alim) from the Arabic noun singular (alim) meaning a scholar.
Of course the (p) is non-existant in Arabic, but yet it is one of a few words that were adapted into the Arabic script, even during the first stages of Aljamiyah. Also notice, that in Calíma there was a usage of (k) instead of (q) for porque, and the (z) for the (s). This is a common form of replacement in Calíma itself. Look at the ghazal link, for more examples of the Calíma usage in poetry.
Example 2
Almadrasa-Quanto tiempo tenerá, que espeitar allanda?
Árabigo-Kuwantu tiyempu teneraa, ki ispeitaar aallaandaa?
Calíma-Kuwanto tiyempo tenirá, ke espeitar allanda?
English-How much time, do I have to wait for still?
Basically, these are but only a few examples of the orthography between was was known to be written, during the last vestiges of the Moriscos and Mudéjares. The last can be interpreted as yet proof, that the Arabic script was just as adaptable, as the Roman script!
(The Word Order)
The word order for Aljamiyah, shall be presented compared to as aforementined, the two common languages of the Iberian Peninsula itself, Castilian and Portuguese!
Naturally since Aljamiyah was a Romance language like both Castilian and Portuguese it's word order, was similar in the same nature as either Castilian and Portuguese.
Examples
Aljamiyah-Bas ad ir agora para Andalusía, dende Aragón?
Castilian-Vas a ir ahora para Andalucía, desde Aragón?
Portuguese-Vas à ir agora para Andalucia, desde Aragão?
English-Will you go now to Andalusia, from Aragón?
(Des) the archaic form of deinde, was also used as well.
Notice the similarity with Aljamiyah and Portuguese here. An example of Aljamiyah's similarity, with Castilian.
Aljamiyah-El cór magarabí, tambié ye dela sangüe magarabía!
Castilian-El corazón moro, también es de sangre mora!
Portuguese-O coração mouro, também é de sangue moura!
English-The Moorish heart, is also of Moorish blood!
As in Portuguese in Spanish, there is no general order for the language. Generally the pronoun comes first, or either omited, then the verb, follow by the noun. But as in the prior example, we used the noun before the verb. As alluded to Aljamiyah, did not have strict rules on it's word order with the exception of one case of which is commonly found in Portuguese and was at one time found as well, in Old Castilian. The reflexive pronoun. In general, this rule is flexible!
Example
Aljamiyah-Se conoçes-lo, porque fazes-lo?
Castilian-Si lo conoces, porque lo haces?
Portuguese-Se conoces-o, porque fazes-o?
English-If you know it, why do you do it?
Words that are similiar to Aljamiyah, from the other Spanish languages.
Asturian
depués-after
davega-sometimes
xamás-never
voluntá-will
Aragonese
agora-now
nusatros-us
ora-hour
fablar-to speak
Andalusian
curtura-culture
nuebo-new
arfabeto-alphabet
artura-height
It might seem to one that from the examples, Asturian infact, has more similarity than any of the three, or even Portuguese and Castilian. But the fact is, that Asturian played only a very minor role in the vocabulary of the language. And that the Moors who dwelled in Asturias, quickly as the Reconquist of Spain befell over Northern Spain, migrated to Aragón or Andalucía. It is natural of course as well, because of it's proximity to one another!
Another comparison of words in languages. This time, between Aragonese, Catalan, and Aljamiyah. The order shall be Catalan first, Aragonese then Aljamiyah.
Example
milk-llet, lei, leite
orange-taronja, narancha, naranxa
stomach-panxa, pancha, panxa
arm-braç, brazo, braço
head-cap, cabeza, cabega
tongue or language-llengua, luenga, lingua
hand-mà, man, manól
root-arrel, radíz, rádiga
It must be said in the case of Aragonese, Catalan had tremendous influence on Aragonese proper, than in the case with Aljamiyah.
(Personal Pronouns)
Eu-I
you-bós, bosté (formal), tú (informal)
he-él
she-ela
we-nosaltros
mós-archaic, was used in formal speech
they-elos (masculine) elas (feminine)
you pl-bostés (formal) bosaltros (informal)
(Direct Pronouns)
me-me
you-te
him-él
her-ela
us-nosaltros
archaic-nós
them-elos (masculine) elas (feminine)
you pl-bostés (formal) bosaltros (informal)
(Reflexive Pronouns)
me-me
you-te
he-lo
she-la
us-mos
nos-archaic, was used in formal speech.
they-los (masculine) las (feminine)
you pl-os (masculine) as (feminine)
(Possesive Pronouns)
my-meu
your-teu
his, her-seu
our-nuesso (masculine) nuessa (feminine)
their-seu
you pl-teu
mine-míyo
yours-tuyo
his-suyo
hers-suya
ours-nuesso (masculine) nuessa (feminine)
theirs-loros (masculine) loras (feminine) Considered to be archaic
you pl-vuesso (masculine) vuessa (feminine) Considered to be archaic
(Demonstrative Pronouns)
this-aquelo, aquela
that-aquesto, aquesta
these-aquelos, aquelas
those-aquestos, aquestas
this one-aquelo, aquela
that one-aquesto, aquesta
these things-aquelas cozas
those things-aquestas cozas
Informal form
this-íste, ista
that-íse, isa
these-istos, istas
those-isos, isas
this!-ísto, ísta
that!-íso, ísa
It is interesting, that there is a similarity here, with Italian than that of Castilian. But the truth be told in Old Castilian, the usage of aquelo or aquesto, were commonly used in the language but then replaced by the more popular usage of ese, este etc.
Another example of where Aljamiyah retained the old sounds of Old Castillian that derived from Vernacular Latin in some of it's forms, is the cedilla (ç) of which, was replaced by the lisping (th) in Modern Castilian. As well as the (z).
Example
Castilian-Mi corazón, conoce la paz.
Aljamiyah-Meu cór, conoçe la paz.
English-My heart, knows peace.
Here you find yet a striking resemblance between the two words for heart (cór) but yet, where Castilian lisps the (z) to (th) thus (conothe) in Aljamiyah it is (conose), with a (s) or (z) sound as in hiss. The two looks the same with the exception of the cedilla. But once again they are pronounced differently. (Conothe) in Castilian to (conose) in Aljamiyah. As for the last word. In Castilian (paz) is pronounced (path). Where in Aljamiyah (paz) is pronounced as (z). What can be said is, that the Leonese, Galician, and Aragonese (sh) sound of (x), does seem to point out, that because of it's promixity to Aragón, the sound influenced some portion of Aljamiyah. But it must also be stated that in the early forms of Aljamiyah, the Moors, had a fond liking for substituting the (s) sound of Castilian Spanish, into their more liking sound of (sh) from Arabic!
(Definite Article)
the-el (masculine) la (feminine) l' (neuter) enfront of vowel
the pl-los (masculine) las (feminine)
Portuguese Aljamiyah
the-o (masculine) a (feminine)
the pl-os (masculine) as (feminine)
Note to point out, there is unique remnants of Arabic influence in this particular instance.
Example
er raçúl-the prophet
Here you see what is called in Arabic (Hamzaltulwasli) liason. The word (er raçúl) would be pronounced (errasul). The letters would be the letters (t, d, n, s, z, x, r,). But there was a tendency to drop this earlier Aljamiyah usage. But it still remained in many of the literature of the Moriscos and Mudéjares. Mainly in their religious texts.
(Noun)
Noun or nouns in Aljamiyah were very similar as was many of the structure of the grammar etc, etc, of the other Romance languages it was surrounded by in the Iberian Peninsula. With the exception Basque a non-Romance language.
Example
Castilian-hombre, mujer pl-hombres, mujeres
Aljamiyah-omme, muller pl-ommes, mulleres
Portuguese Aljamiyah-omme, muler, pl-ommes, muleres
English-man, woman, pl-men, women
Either of the last two forms of Aljamiyah, was accepted by the Moriscos and Mudéjares of the area.
The noun was either masculine or feminine as in the case of the other Romance Languages of the peninsula.
Of course there are as in the other languages, certain words that do not end in either (o) or the common (a) First, the typical masculine ending of a noun, and the second, the typical feminine ending of a noun. But there are not common, nor difficult to learn.
Other types of nouns
dúbida-doubt
Andalusía-Andalusia
comunicaçión-communication
beridá-truth
payís-country
(Contractions)
of the-del, dela, delos delas
to the-al, ala, alos, alas
with the-col, cola, colos, colas
by the-pol, pola, polos, polas
for the-pal, pala, palos, palas
Portuguese Aljamiyah
of the-do, da, dos, das
to the-ao, a, aos, as
with the-co, coa, cos, coas
by the-po, poa, pos, pas
for the-pao, pa, paos, paas
(Adjectives)
good-bon, bona
bad-malo, mala
big-grande, granda
small-pequeno, pequena
He is a good boy.
Él ye un bon alhuélido.
She is a bad girl.
Ela ye una mala alhuélida.
He is a big boy.
Él ye un garande alhuélido.
She is a small girl.
Ela ye una alhuélida pequena.
(Adverbs)
The situation with the adverbs, is something ambiguous to an extent. Simply because of the Arabic derrivative words in the language. Examples of the common form of the adverb, which is similar to other Romance languages and the second, influence of Arabic.
Example 1
simplemente-simply
ofiçialmente-officially
Example 2
albexhuáz-slowly
altabiáz-naturally
Notice that the two words that stick out, are (abexhuáz) from Arabic-beshshweyya and (alo tabiáz) from Arabic-tabia'a.
(Verb Conjugation)
I will use examples of the verb first, and then the conjugation of each of the verbs in the present, past, future, conditional, present subjunctive, imperfect, imperative, past participle and gerund. These are basically the more common used forms of the verbs. Here are examples of few verbs, either regular or irregular.
Aber-to have
Present tense
he, has, ha, habemos, han, hádes
Past tense
abié, abeste, abió, abimos, aberon, abestédes
Future tense
abré, abrás, abrá, abremos, abrán, abrádes
Conditional tense
abria, abrias, abria, abriamos, abrian, abriades
Imperfect tense
abía, abías, abía, abíamos, abían, abíades
Present subjunctive tense
aiga, aigas, aiga, aigamos, aigan, aigádes
Imperative tense
aigáde! aigan!
Past participle
abiesto
Gerund
abendo
Fablar-to speak
Present tense
fablo, fablas, fabla, fablamos, fablan, fabládes.
Past tense
fablé, fablaste, fabló, fablémos, fablaron, fablastedes.
Future tense
fablaré, fablarás, fablará, fablaremos, fablarán, fablarádes
Conditional tense
fablaria, fablarias, fablaria, fablariamos, fablarian, fablariades
Imperfect tense
fablaba, fablabas, fablaba, fablabamos, fablaban, fablabades
Present Subjunctive tense
fabla, fables, fable, fablemos, fablen, fabledes
Imperative tense
fabláde! fablan!
Past participle
fablado
Gerund
fablando
Creyer-to believe
Present tense
creyo, creyes, creye, creyemos, creyen, creyedes
Past tense
creyí, creyeste, creyó, creyimos, creyeron, creyestedes
Future tense
creyeré, creyerás, creyerá, creyeremos, creyerán, creyerádes
Conditional tense
creyeria, creyerias, creyeria, creyeriamos, creyerian, creyeriades
Present subjunctive tense
creiya, creiyas, creiya, creiyamos, creiyan, creiyades
Imperfect tense
creyia, creyias, creyia, creyiamos, creyian, creyades
Imperative tense
creyéde! creyen!
Past participle
creyiesto
Gerund
creyendo
afaír-to understand
Present tense
afaío, afaís, afae, afaímos, afaín, afaídes
Past tense
afayí, afayiste, afayó, afayimos, afayieron, afayistedes
Future tense
afairé, afairá, afairá, afairemos, afairán, afairádes
Conditional tense
afairia, afairias, afairia, afairiamos, afairian, afairiades
Present subjunctive tense
afaya, afaes, afaya, afamos, afan, afades
Imperfect tense
afaia, afaias, afaia, afaiamos, afaian, afaiades
Imperative tense
afáide! afain!
Past participle
afaído
Gerund
afaindo
Seyer-to be
Present tense
siu, yes, ye, somos, son, sédes.
Past tense
fié, fieste, fió, fiemos, fieron, fiestedes
Future tense
seyerá, seyerás, seyerá, seyeremos, seyerán, seyerádes
Conditional tense
seyeria, seyerias, seyeria, seyeriamos, seyerian, seyeriades
Present subjunctive tense
seiga, seigas, seiga, seigamos, seigan, seigades
Imperfect tense
estaba, estabas, estaba, estabamos, estaban, estabades
Imperative tense
Past participle
siesto
Gerund
sendo
seigáde! seigan!
Tenir-to have
Present tense
tengo, tiens, tien, tenemos, tienen, téndes
Past tense
tebe, tebeste, tebo, tebemos, teberon, tebestedes
Future tense
teneré, tenerás, tenerá, teneremos, tenerán, tenerádes.
Conditional tense
teneria, tenerias, teneria, teneriamos, tenerian, teneriades.
Present subjunctive tense
teinga, teingas, teinga, teingamos, teingan, teingades.
Imperfect tense
tenia, tenias, tenia, teniamos, tenian, teniades.
Imperative tense
teingáde! teingan!
Past participle
teniesto
Gerund
tenendo
Fazer-to do, make
Present tense
fago, fazes, faz, fazemos, fazen, fazedes
Past tense
feze, fezeste, fezo, fezemos, fezeron, fezestédes
Future tense
faré, farás, fará, faremos, farán, farádes
Conditional tense
faria, farias, faria, fariamos, farian, fariades
Present subjunctive tense
faiga, faigas, faiga, faigamos, faigan, faigades
Imperfect tense
fazia, fazias, fazia, faziamos, fazian, faziades
Imperative tense
fagáde! fagan!
Past participle
feito (fecho) archaic form!
Gerund
fazendo
Traxer-to bring
Present tense
traxo, traxes, traxe, traxemos, traxen, traxedes.
Past tense
tróxe, tróxeste, tróxo, troxemos, troxeron, troxestedes.
Future tense
traxeré, traxerás, traxerá, traxeremos,
traxerán, traxeredes.
Conditional tense
traxia, traxias, traxia, traxiamos, traxian, traxiades
Present Subjenctive tense
traxa, traxes, traxe, traxamos, traxan, traxades
Impefect tense
traxaba, traxabas, traxaba, traxabamos, traxaban, traxabades
Imperative tense
traxáde! traxan!
Past participle
traxiesto
Gerund
traxendo
It is important to know like in Castilian where the (Ustedes) is used formally for (you pl) in Aljamiyah (Ustadis) is used, for (you pl) as well. Where in Castilian (Vosotros) is used for informal purposes of the (you pl) likewise, does Aljamiyah, use (Bosaltros) for the (you pl).
In Castilian the word for (there is and there are) is (háy)! In Portuguese (there is and there are) the word is, (há)! In Aljamiyah, (there is and there are) is, (há o the verb-esister)!
Examples
There is something, that I wish to say!
Há una cosa, que quiero dizer!
There are many things, that I wish to say!
Esisten multas cosas, que quiero dizer!
The following, is an example of how Aljamiyah changed from Arabic to Aljamiyah in time. The following is a sura from the Qur'aan, (Sura al Ikhlaaç) First in it's original Arabic form, then its raw form of early Aljamiyah. Then at last of course, in it's final stage of the language.
Arabic
Bismillaahi Rah'maanir Rah'eem.
Qul huwallaahu ah'ad.
Allaahuç Çamad.
Lam yalid wa lam yulad.
Wa lam yakullahu kufuwan ah'ad.
I used the cedilla ç here for the Arabic (saad) sound which could be spelt with two (ss). But I chose in this webpage, to chose the cedilla (ç)instead.
Early Aragonese Aljamiyah
(13 century)
Vizmillaahir Rah'maanir Rah'eem.
Aqule el Allaah, yes yuno.
Allaahye samadi.
Maayalido yi mayulado.
Yi maataaallaahu kufuwanee yuno.
Now the next three, is where the influence of the Roman script began to take effect on Aragonese Aljamiyah in Aragón, Castilla, León, Extremadura etc.
(14th century)
Acule él Allâh, ye uno.
Allâhye çamadi.
Mayalido yi mayulado.
I mataallâhu cufuhuani uno.
(16 century)
Digo, él Allâh ye uno.
Allâh ye çamadi.
Yi non aiga hado cufai a Allâh.
(17th century)
Digo, él Allâh ye uno.
Allâh ye éterno.
I non aiga ahado cumparable a Allâh.
The following, is the same text of Aljamiyah translated, into the Arabic script!
(Sura al Ikhlaaç)
ﻭﻧﻮﺇﺲﻴﷲﻝﺇﻭﭼﻴﺪ
ﻭﻧﺭﺗﺇﺲﻴ ﷲ
ﻭﺩﺎﺤﺍﺎﭼﻴﺃﻥﻮﺬ ﻱ
ﷲﺍﻝﺑﺍﺮﺎﺑﻣﻮﻜ
Because of time restraint, I will not be able to add an Aljamiyah dictionary of words, with the exception of words that came from Arabic. Ensha'allah, I will perhaps in time, be able to construct as I did with Andalusian Arabic, a proper short dictionary of words so that, one can get the feeling of this language or Aljamiyah. Thank you very much!
The following, is in no particular order, and once again, it is only a short dictionary of Arabic words, that have influenced and entered Aragonese Aljamiyah.
(Dictionary)
garb-west
alhualédo-child
xaría-sharia
hadít-hadith
rámadan-ramadan
iman-iman
daua-dawaa
Falestina-Palestine
alhuedo-alone
bosté-sir, you
alçalibo-cross
alama-flag
alçaláfo-ancestor
aldúr-descendant
azábo-weak
amiya-in general
açáfa-sorry
alcalído-chat
aldohól-entrance
de táchi-in a hurry
de ráye-soon
afadála-please
alfurça-chance
algaláda-mistake
algórfa-room
alhoríya-freedom
alhíro-exit
ahedíz-quiet
ahado-someone
alháro-hot
alhaxár-insect
alhílo-sweet
alfecáz-only
albédo-house
alraxíl-gentlemen
alhazara-pity
alhuadi-obvious
maira-woman
alhuisto-center
alhueço-wide
alhuarda-rose
yála-let's go
abeida-never
beiça-then
alharfa-edge
alcaçar-fortress
madraça-school
alim-scholar
alcorân-koran
chayix-army
fau-above
chádi-serious
aldóxa-noise
albalído-town
chayis-ready
alraháma-mercy
chamíya-mosque
meschida-mosque
chamila-beautiful
camiyo-whole
saba-morning
laila-night
maçalama-goodbye
malaçáfi-unfortunately
alhualáha-for nothing
alhuaçir-minister
alxahído-witness
salama-peace
alaçim-great
elchumi-today
almabéri-yesterday
manado-prohibited
alraçéla-message
raçul-messanger
alsála-grace
alhutba-sermon
xucrân-thanks
calíma-slang
alcháhua-weather
cháhi-hungry
chibína-cheese
chil-leather
chátima-meeting
alxabído-popular
alsále-question
agalído-cheap
arahíz-expensive
alzicro-legacy, memory
alcurníya-lineage
Muçulmano-Muslim
Islâm-islam
almubído-aware
chahíl-backward people, ignorant
hilado-permited
haramido-prohibited
alcádiz-judge
ahuíl-first
alchahízoso-glorious
kabala-tribe
mezquino-stingy
ammáz-but
alhuéte-country
alráz-homeland
xurba-soup
almurxído-guide
baba-father
yamma-mother
magarabí-a moor
haçozo-sad
alcabíroso-big, great
achohuáz-inside
azáhuado-together
alharába-war
araház-sometimes
acudamáz-soon
agorído-closeby
almagánado-crazy
badéz-therefore
quefáz-sufficient
amaçoso-special
malyado-full
madequido-certain
alguarça-village
secáz-quiet
maligo-king
almaxorado-famous
almohído-important
nexcado-dry
xalíz-simple
tahado-under
altarího-history
altarihoso-historical
tahuído-big
alfacoso-proud
alxaríya-street
ahazara-pretty
agabido-dumb
beira-outside
Verbs
adimar-to introduce
aquir-to measure
aculer-to say
abatar-to send
adarrir-to teach
adahuar-to search
adrigar-to study
afacar-to remember
agayar-to change
ahazar-to pass
acalir-to speak
acatir-to write
ahaber-to hide
ahalar-to finish
ahatar-to choose
acodiar-to direct
axir-to appear
anzilar-to stay
archar-to return
firchar-to return
aruhar-to rise
açelmar-to select
chalir-to find
azefir-to travel
azemir-to forgive
azedir-to help
asrar-to rob
axachar-to support
ahuasalar-to arrive
azunar-to think
ayixar-to live
acar-to fall
alubbar-to ask for
ahixar-to fail
acahilar-to accept
abanar-to build
adaçar-to grow
ahuxir-to shout
amanir-to mean
amadir-to sign
amalar-to fill
amxir-to walk
anaddar-to clean
anemer-to sleep
ansahar-to advise
aruhar-to go
aruddar-to reply
axaler-to ask
azachir-to record
açaler-to lend
azalimar-to greet
astamilar-to use
azaler-to pray
axrar-to explain
afadrar-to watch
ajahuar-to marry
atarchir-to translate
ahuidar-to promise
azimir-to invite
acafar-to stop
arcuzar-to dance
ahafar-to retain, keep
ahahulyar-to try
naquir-to deny
fahir-to understand
rudar-to respond
ecolir-to chat
adarxar-to chat
agalabar-to defeat
amayar-to restore
maxgir-to preoccupy
atachar-to worry
ahudar-to take
adimar-to introduce
afadalar-to prefer
ahamar-to develop
ahibar-to love
ahalyar-to finish
alecar-to find
ahazilar-to put
amatyar-to enjoin
balagar-to reach
La luta de l'alchamía, allánda está biba!
The fight for Aljamiyah, is still alive!
A mensage in Aragonese that I have written, from those who are fighting for the existance of the Aragonese language, to the people outside of Spain!
Iste ye un mensache de nusatros n'Aragón. A nuestra luenga d'Aragonés ye d'a nezesitá de contrebuzións, de presonas d'os paises internazionals. Que a nuestra reyalidá ye que cada diya, a nuestra luenga d'Aragonés, ye autualmén n'o desparixeto. O nuestro intrese, ye a prezerbazión d'a nuestra luenga d'Aragonés!
A nuestra luita, ye igual d'a luita d'a alchamía!
This a message from us en Aragón. Our language of Aragonese is in the need of contributions, of persones from international countries. That our reality is that every day our language of Aragonese, is currently in disappearance. Our interest, is the preservation of our language of Aragonese! Our struggle, is the same struggle as that of Aljamiyah!
Castellano (Español)
Português
Aljamiyah (ﻪﻴﻤﺤﻠﺍ)
'Arabee Andalusee (ﻲﺴﻮﻠﺪﻨﺍ ﻲﺒﺮﻋ)
