The ''waṣla'' ( ar, , lit=an instance of connection) or (, '
hamza of connection') is an
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...
diacritic
A diacritic (also diacritical mark, diacritical point, diacritical sign, or accent) is a glyph added to a letter or to a basic glyph. The term derives from the Ancient Greek (, "distinguishing"), from (, "to distinguish"). The word ''diacriti ...
resembling part of the letter
() that is sometimes placed over the letter
at the beginning of the word (). The ''ʾalif'' with ''waṣla'' over it is called the (, 'aleph of connection'). It indicates that the alif is not pronounced as a glottal stop (written with the letter or diacritic ''
hamza'' ), but that the word is connected to the previous word (like
liaison
Liaison means communication between two or more groups, or co-operation or working together.
Liaison or liaisons may refer to:
General usage
* Affair, an unfaithful sexual relationship
* Collaboration
* Co-operation
Arts and entertainment
* Li ...
in
French). Outside of
vocalised liturgical texts, the is usually not written.
Examples
# () — And his daughter's name is Hind.
# () — He wants to read to one of his two daughters.
# () — What is your name?
References
Arabic diacritics
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