استبدال الحروف في اللافتات التجارية المكتوبة بالعربية

Abstract EN

The transliteration of shop signs in Saudi Arabia from non-Arabic languages, particularly English, to Arabic presents a peculiar problem due to the lack of one-to-one correspondence for certain phonemes.

Consequently, a substitution becomes necessary, which serves as a close approximation, but which can cause confusion or a difference in pronunciation compared to the original.

A study was conducted recently in which bilingual shop signs in shopping malls in Riyadh and Jeddah were examined for Arabisation in view of the national policy governing the linguistic landscape.

In this follow-on study, the letter substitutions made were examined further to highlight the issue, the variations in substitutions, explain the complexity, and to offer options for permanent solutions.

This would also be necessary to ensure consistency, and correct representation in Arabic.