Abstract
This study examined the relationship between Arabic and Yoruba languages. An attempt is made to trace the history of the Yoruba as a race and the influence that Arabic language has on Yoruba language. This influence is observed in the pronunciation of some Yoruba words traceable to Arabic with the same meaning. These facts, if well proved will go a long way in lending credence to the historical belief that the Yoruba race originated from the Arab. To elucidate this, traces of Arabic words in Yoruba language are noted. Similarity in pronunciation of some letters in both languages, comparison in construction of words between them and similarity in the use of some words in both languages are analysed with the views of some Arabic scholars. Conclusion is then drawn to show the impact of Arabic on Yoruba Language.
Highlights
No language in the world is without an origin
Ghaladanchi (1982: p. 125) supports the views of relevant constructions in some areas in Arabic that if we look at the angle of grammatical and etymological bases and structure of the word, it will be observed that local grammatical bases have impact on the student of Arabic language
Having carried out this study on the comparison between Arabic and Yoruba languages, it can be concluded that the belief of some people that Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba, descended from Heaven to Ile-Ife is baseless and misguiding
Summary
No language in the world is without an origin. The origin may be from where it is being spoken or near to it. The language spoken may change from the origin but still, there must be traces or elements of this origin in it that will show emergence of this language from this source. This is what happened in the Arabic diffusion of Arabic to Yoruba Language either by borrowing or historical connections. 21) explains how Yoruba language has been so much influenced by Arabic through various linguistic borrowings that one can be tempted to believe the speculated theory of Yoruba migration from. A Study of Relationship between Arabic and Yoruba Languages. To ascertain the level of relationship between Arabic and Yoruba languages, this paper will look into the following issues: 1) Origin of Arab and their Language 2) Origin of Yoruba and their Language 3) Traces of Arabic words in Yoruba Language 4) Similarity in pronunciation of some Arabic and Yoruba Letters 5) Comparison in construction of words between Yoruba and Arabic languages 6) Lexical similarities in Yoruba and Arabic languages 7) Conclusion
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