Language

There can be no doubt that throughout the entire first Byzantine period, including the century and a half of Arab rule, the majority of the islanders remained Greek-speaking. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that words and place names of Arab origin have survived in Cretan dialect. These include amiras ("emir"), azapis ("young man", or as a term of address "poor fellow"), zagari ("hunting dog"), fari ("war horse"), kanaki ("caress"), neranzti ("bitter orange"), gazi ("stitching") and azigania ("deception, intrigue"). Surviving Arab place names include Katsambas, Mastambas, Suda, Aposelemis, Siva, Houmeri, Roukaka and Missiri.