Tashkil
/taʃˈkiːl/noun
The use of diacritical marks in Arabic writing to indicate vowels and other pronunciation features.
Did you know?The Arabic term comes from the root ش-ك-ل, associated with form, shape, and configuration, making tashkīl literally connected to the idea of giving written language its audible shape.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*š-k-l
“A root associated with form, shape, or configuration”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
شَكْل (šakl)
“Form, shape, appearance, or configuration”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
شَكَّلَ (šakkala)
“To form, shape, or mark with vowel signs”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
تَشْكِيل (tashkīl)
“Forming, shaping, or the addition of pronunciation marks to writing”
20th Century
English
tashkil / tashkīl
“A transliteration used in English-language scholarship for Arabic vowel marking and diacritics”
Modern English
English
tashkil
“The system or practice of adding diacritical marks to Arabic script”