Arabic's Pivotal Role in Science and Philosophy Compared to Turkish and Persian

In the 8th century, Arabic emerged as a language of science and philosophy, considerably more dominant than its contemporaries Turkish and Persian. This article examines why these two languages did not develop into major scholarly mediums like Arabic. It delves into the historical, cultural, and social factors that influenced language adoption and scholarly tradition.

Arabic’s Ascendancy: A Lingua Franca of Choice

Arabic’s rise to prominence in science and philosophy was a response to societal disruption and change. As Islam developed as a distinct culture and set of beliefs, Arabic became not only the language of the Quran but also a vehicle for contemplation of the world and Islamic principles. The Translation Movement, spearheaded by leaders like al-Ma'mun of Baghdad, fostered a rich literary tradition that translated countless ancient texts into Arabic. This was a costly endeavor, funded by rulers who believed in the power of knowledge to forge a new world order. As a result, Arabic became an internationally respected scholarly language.

Turkish and Persian: Historical Context and Cultural Differences

Compared to the settled people of Anatolia and the Middle East, the early Turks were nomadic, with limited exposure to sophisticated language and literary traditions. The adoptive homeland of the Turks, where people had been settled for thousands of years, had already developed complex linguistic and cultural systems. This environment was conducive to the development of Persian as a scholarly language after the 13th century, influenced by the Mongol invasions. Persian traditions, particularly those tied to the Arabic literary tradition, continued to flourish, but not to the extent that the literary and philosophical advancements in Arabic did.

The Ottoman Empire, established within a Christian and predominantly Islamic environment, differed significantly from the earlier Islamic centers in the role of Arabic as a scholarly language. The Ottomans, as an established power, did not experience the same societal disruption and the urgent need to express Islamic principles through literature that the early Abbasid Caliphate did. Additionally, the religious and scholarly traditions already well-established in the region further inhibited the development of Turkish as a major scholarly language. Persians, on the other hand, maintained their strong ties to the Arabic tradition, which buffered them from suddenly adopting a nascent vernacular.

Alignment with Religious and Cultural Goals

The adoption of Arabic by Muslim scholars was driven not only by practical considerations but also by religious and cultural goals. The Quran itself is written in Arabic, making it an inherently international and canonical language for scholars. This religious significance often translated into voluntaristic use of Arabic, distinct from the enforced lingua franca of the hellenistic Hellenistic era. By contrast, an internationally respected language in medieval Europe was Latin, which was similarly a religious and scholarly language but not as deeply rooted in a specific religious text.

Conclusion: Economic and Social Factors

The translations into Arabic were funded projects, costly endeavors that required significant financial resources and team efforts. This economic investment was widespread and long-term, enabling the development of a rich Arabic literary and philosophical tradition. In contrast, the lack of such large-scale, publicly supported translation projects in the Ottoman Empire and Persia fostered a tradition more rooted in transmission of knowledge rather than its expansion and academic development.

Therefore, the rise of Arabic as a language of science and philosophy can be attributed to a combination of strategic religious and cultural goals, societal disruption, and significant economic investment. These factors, combined with the inherent challenges faced by the Turkic and Persian-speaking regions, provide a comprehensive picture of the linguistic dynamics at play.

Keywords: Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Lingua Franca, Translation Movement

Additional Resources:

Translation Movement - Wikipedia Ottoman Empire - Encyclop?dia Britannica Islam - Encyclop?dia Britannica