Expert: Sirine Malas - 9/15/2011

Question
QUESTION: I need to know why, in your expert opinion, the "Ustad" in Arabic/Farsi cannot be related to the Usted in Spanish (no mmater what the books say). It is very hard for me to accept there is no relationship, when both words (Spanish Usted and Farsi/Arabic Ustad) have similar meaning and pronunciation. Besides, Spanish Language was pretty much influenced by Arabic langage at some point in History...
Thank you very much.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Leonardo.

ANSWER: Dear Leonardo,

I agree with you I think the word Ustath ... أستاذ is definetly Arabic in origin.

Regards,

Sirine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So, according to your expert opinion, the Spanish word Usted is related to the Arabic word Ustath? Could you also please justify your response?

Awaiting for your response,
Leonardo.

Answer
Hi Leonardo,

Arabic is a much older language then Spanish.
Arabic derived from Nabatin which in turn derived from Aramic (one of the oldest languages in the world). Spanish derived from Latin which in turn also derived from Semitic languages like the Ugharit...

In addition, Ustath is not the only word I think has an Arabic origin there are plenty like Banana, Assasin and other words that can be traced back to Arabic origin.

As you said Arabic and Spanish mixed in the Andalus era ... So it this relationship is very logical in my opinion. Not to mention things in culture,music and dance.

Regards,
Sirine