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Since Arabic SE will be a Q&A site for non-native & native Arabic Language learners,
can we ask meaning of an Arabic word?
Can we ask to explain the grammar of a sentence?
Can we ask questions like how do you say X in Arabic?

Proposal: Arabic Language

2 Answers 2

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Definitely Yes! All questions related with Arabic language are welcome!
There will be tags for all similar questions :)

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    Is there a mechanism to prevent the formation of a full inverse (or straight) dictionary?
    – arsaKasra
    Commented Oct 17, 2014 at 6:48
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    I think when any question doesn't show any research efforts, we will downvote/ close it. Just like any site in Stack Exchange! For example, question about the meaning of book in Arabic.. etc.
    – F. Julian
    Commented Oct 17, 2014 at 7:18
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I mostly agree except it is good to draw a line between allowing constant repeated beginner questions (like you get in the SO PHP tag) and attracting quality content and empowering and enabling research of the sites content, or even of the greater internet when something seems extremely base and highly repeated or too easy.

Remember we are not essentially tutors, robbing those who teach Arabic of a job. We are instead a community of individuals who possess one thing in common: an interest in the study and comprehension of the Arabic language.

Can we ask to explain the grammar of a sentence?

Yes, these rules are essential and by no means simple, even if the rule you are asking about is the most simplest of all. Arabic is a very complicated language compared to many Latin languages (i.e. English) so, yes, definitely on topic.

Can we ask questions like how do you say X in Arabic?

I would normally say no. We are not a translation service. If you need something that complete translating then I would recommend you seek either a translator or an Arabic course.

can we ask meaning of an Arabic word?

Again this is one which normally draws low quality posts, i.e. what is the meaning of kalbun?

However, there are some questions that can be very interesting when asking about the meaning of a word. However, those topics are not normally basic and are for more advanced, if not scholar-type individuals normally.

However, that being said, if Google (etc) Translate is simply not good enough (which is isn't for quite a few words) then your question could be answered here since it clearly has got no equal else where on the internet.

So it is really a case of: What questions do you need answering?

The community will then judge to see if they are fit for the site.

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  • If I ask "How do you say Windows 8.1 in Arabic?", can I expect an answer ?
    – MAKZ
    Commented Oct 18, 2014 at 7:23
  • @MAKZ probably since "Windows" would not be the Google translation answer since it is a proper noun, so in fact I don't know the answer to that one
    – Sammaye
    Commented Oct 18, 2014 at 12:02
  • @MAKZ it seems the default answer on Google is actually the proper noun: translate.google.com/#en/ar/windows though one thing abut Google translate is that it doresn't really tell you how the word is formed
    – Sammaye
    Commented Oct 18, 2014 at 13:01
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    Can we ask questions like how do you say X in Arabic? Yes, why not?!! It's a very good question! It's more than only a translation! It's about how to use the language, how to speak correctly and how to use nature expressions! please check English Language & Usage and English Language Learners for similar cases!
    – F. Julian
    Commented Oct 18, 2014 at 17:30
  • @F.Julian I would think that we might want to propogate the site with a bunch of common questions. I know one related to this "How do you know the declension of a word you have never seen before?"
    – Sammaye
    Commented Oct 18, 2014 at 20:46
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    @Sammaye, It is not a word, I meant as sentences. Such as: How to say "I am in!" in Arabic, What's the difference between "مريض" and "موعوك" or even What's the word meaning normal temperature water for example! Is there any issue with such questions?
    – F. Julian
    Commented Oct 19, 2014 at 5:39
  • @F.Julian I would say it is very subject, like "I am in!" would be a valid qestion because of the "!". That's special in Arabic as we know. Though if someone wanted to asked "How do I say: "How are you?" in Arabic" I might class that as needing more research, and an attempt to get us to translate for them. Your examples are not so base, they probably do not align very well with the difficulty level of the question
    – Sammaye
    Commented Oct 19, 2014 at 12:35

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