The word Ojalá.

Question

This is a very ironic word to be used where it is for the first time in the Spanish bible, as the word has its origins in islam (O Allah). I find it rather ironic that it is used in the Spanish translation where Abraham used it in refernence to Ishmael (the father of the Arabs).

GEN 17:18 Y dijo Abraham a Dios: ¡Ojalá que Ismael viva delante de ti!

Just a little something to mull over. Oh and I read that the other day about 60 miles from Ur, Abraham's homeland!!!

Hey Heidita, did I get the catagory right this time? :) - Seitheach, Oct 15, 2009

Yes and your sarcasm is improving as well. - Eddy, Oct 15, 2009

Answer 1

Spanish has LOTS of words from Arabic language. The Islam was in Spain for 300 years (if not more) during medieval years. Most of the words ending in d, or with an h in the middle originate from arabic language. Examples: Almohada, zanahoria, ataúd, laúd, and it makes sense that the "j" came from some kind of relation with words originated in Arabic language. I also learned some years ago, that bwarda means flower in arabic and in Chile we use it to refer to a border in a wallpaper (usually with flowers) isn't that neat? :D

I had to take a bit of Arabic before deploying (Dhari also), I can't remember how many words they said are shared with Spanish, but it was a lot. - Seitheach, Oct 15, 2009

"The Islam was in Spain" -> "Muslims were in Spain" or "Followers of Islam were in Spain" etc - AnnoLoki, Oct 15, 2009

Answer 2

I found the following words originating in Arabic.

That... is most interesting... muchas gracias para compartir - AnnoLoki, Oct 15, 2009

Answer 3

'Ojalá' is from the Moorish 'Enchalla'; the Moors (originally from the Kingdom of Maure) came up into Spain from the South and remained for some 7-800 years, until mass exidus around the 15C caused by the forced conversion to Christianity for Muslims (which the Moors were by this point) and Jews, with those who didn't escape and wouldn't convert to Christianity being killed.

(I think that's all correct)