Imāla

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Imāla (Arabic:إمالة literally, slanting) is a term used in the context of Arabic linguistics to describe the phenomenon of pronouncing the Arabic long vowel ā /aː/ in a higher psition on the vowel chart (Raising). Traditionally it was described by Arabs as pronouncing Alif as if between Alif and Ya'. Imāla can be found in some Qirā'āt of the Qur'ān as well as in some dialects of Arabic such as some varieties of Levantine Arabic and some varieties of Eastern Libyan Arabic.