Mecca

The holy Makkah, and unholy Meccas

Loanwords are everywhere, even on maps. Place names, or toponyms, are often borrowed with little or no alteration. For Islam's holiest city, however, the English word "Mecca" has undergone a problematic transformation. It has been altered, commodified, and distorted to the point it is no longer used in the Prophet's birthplace. Explore the story behind this linguistic journey and uncover the power of language in shaping understandings of the world.