Nabataean Arabic

Nabataean Arabic was the language spoken by the Nabataean people, an ancient Arab civilization that thrived around the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE in regions of modern-day Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. It is a form of Aramaic with unique scripts and vocabulary, serving as a precursor to modern Arabic. Nabataean Arabic was used in inscriptions, commerce, and daily life, and its script evolved into the Arabic alphabet. Studying it provides insights into early Arab culture, language development, and the region’s historical connections.