Islamic terms in contemporary English

Abstract

Some observations on what words associated with Islam are in, and what might yet go into, current ELT dictionaries. Muslims constitute a vast number of speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) and a Foreign Language (EFL). As a consequence, many expressions associated with Islam have been introduced into contemporary English and its dictionaries – both general and ESL/EFL. The present paper focuses on three particular works: the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDOCE, 2003), the Macmillan English Dictionary (MED, 2002) and The New Oxford Dictionary of English (NODE, 1998), in order to discuss how Islamic terms are being used. It was found that few phrases or sentences are provided to illustrate such terms – even those in common use among English-speaking Muslims. The present paper therefore (1) suggests sample sentences for these terms, so that users of such dictionaries can set them in context, and (2) offers a list of common Islamic words for possible inclusion in future editions.