I was looking at translations in Babylon.com. I did English to Arabic and English to Turkish translations of "quill," and was supplied with
ريشة/risha as the first suggestion in Arabic, and mızrap/mizrap as the 6th suggestion in Turkish. I searched "quill" in
Farsi, but got a totally unkown to me شاهر/shahar (?). I looked up "plectrum" and got
مضراب/mizrab. So, is an oud pick a "mizrab" in Farsi? If so, does this suggest that the Farsi word was borrowed from
Turkish?
Thanks in advance for all of your sage wisdom and scholarship!
Peace out,
"Udi" Johnspyblaster - 5-8-2013 at 03:44 PM
Hi John
Mizrab is an Arabic word actually. both Turkish and Persian has borrowed it. but if you are lookin g for the original word, it's Zakhme
زخمه
both Zakhme and Mezrab (not Mizrab, in Persian) are used in modern Persian, but Mezrab is more frequent in daily speaking.
The correct translation of quill is Par.John Erlich - 5-9-2013 at 08:25 AM
Mamnoon! I had actually gotten the word "par" for "quill" already from local Persians (there is a big community in the city where I work). So, if
"mizrab" is a word of Arabic origin, what does/did it mean? I am curious to know how/when it was replaced with "risha."
Peace out,
"Udi" JohnAlfaraby - 5-9-2013 at 09:26 AM
If "mizrab" is a word of Arabic origin, what does/did it mean? I am curious to know how/when it was replaced with "risha."
The origin of the word Midrab مضرب in Arabic (not mizrab) is the verb Darab which means hit. The oud player
was first called Dareb Al Oud, while playing the oud was Darb. D' here is not the common D', but the grandiloquent Arabic D ض لا
د .
In ancient times, the oud was played by a wooden pick. Later on it was replaced by an eagle feather = Risha (pl. reyash or reesh).
The word Mizrab (also Mirzab) in old Arabic was first adopted from Persian to mean long ship, whilst in local modern colloquial Arabic it means a
gutter hanging from a roof.
Midrab in modern Arabic is pick-guard (also known as Raqamah)!
Yours indeed
Alfarabyspyblaster - 5-9-2013 at 11:55 AM
but i think you're wrong. Mizrab, Midrab or let's say Midhrab is written like مضراب not مضرب.
it's based on the rhythm مفعال which means the tool to do something. like مفتاح which
means the tool to open (key) and مضراب (Midhrab) is the tool to hit.
مضرب (Madhrib) is based on مفعل rhythm which means the place to do something so it means the place to
hit (pick guard)Alfaraby - 5-9-2013 at 12:42 PM
You may think whatever you like. My knowledge in my mother's tongue is not the issue here, nor is elsewhere. The question was quoted within my answer
to John, so it is not a contest in reading and/or comprehending Arabic, nor Persian.
To the crux of the matter:
You may find words like معول مقدح ملقط منجل that
means a tool just like محراث مفتاح. Both are right !
Stay cool ....
Yours indeed
Alfaraby John Erlich - 5-9-2013 at 01:20 PM
If "mizrab" is a word of Arabic origin, what does/did it mean? I am curious to know how/when it was replaced with "risha."
...whilst in local modern colloquial Arabic it means a gutter hanging from a roof.
Mizrab = Roof-gutter in modern Arabic? Interesting! I work in a city building department for my "day job," and will try "mizrab" out the next time I
assist and Arabic-speaking roofing contractor!
