How to learn Arabic

 

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Ghalib Al-Hakkak - agrégé d'arabe, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

How to learn Arabic

First of all one should clarify some misconceptions about Arabic. One should not confuse the various terms used to classify Arabic : Litterary Arabic (which is written according to a certain norm) and dialectical Arabic (Oral, seldom written, and with many different varieties); modern Arabic, of which the evoltuion since the 19th century is very noticeable, exposed here and there to external influences, and classical or medieval of which there ia geat variation according to time period and region; current Arabic (presse, media, and books) and litterary Arabic (research style). The terms "Qur'anic" and "Standard" do not make much sense to classify the language and are often misused. If a term is really necessary to characterize Arabic it would be "Common Arabic." Faced with the variety of Arabic dialects, written Arabic, and Litterary Arabic (news and books) largely spoken in the medias is a Common Arabic, with its nuances respective of where it is employed but for the most part universal.

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