Identity and Spelling of the Letter Alef in Arabic & Persian

زبان و ادبیات عربی

Article 5, Volume 4, Issue 6, October 2012   

Document Type: research article

DOI: 10.22067/jall.v4i6.16284

Abstract

Are aleph and hamzeh considered two different letters or two figures of the same letter in Arabic? In this respect, there are two different views: Some scholars believe that Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, while some maintain that it consists of 29 letters. The other issue is concerned with the spelling of aleph. It is spelled in three different shapes in Arabic: “ا”, as in ‘دعا’, “ی” as in ‘رمی’, and “و” as in ‘صلوه’. It should be mentioned that aleph in some words is spelt but not pronounced, and, conversely, in some cases is pronounced without being spelt. Such variations in the form and function of aleph have caused problems for those who write in both Arabic and Persian. This paper has intended to achieve the following objectives:
1. Identification of aleph and its place among the Arabic alphabet;
2. Clarification of the right spelling of aleph in Arabic and Persian by relying on valid books on grammar and syntax, sticking to Arabic and Persian spelling regulations, and following the mainstream authors and literary figures.
3. Compilation of spelling regulations concerning aleph in a comprehensive manner and easy to learn; and explaining about the similarities and differences among Arabic and Persian spelling of aleph for those who write in both languages.

Keywords

identity; spelling; aleph; writing; Arabic& Persian alphabet