essay on arabic language in arabic

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Four Simple Tips to Improve Your Essay Writing Skills in Arabic

root: ق-و-ل / noun / plural: مَقالات /definition: essay, article

So, you’ve studied Arabic for a while now. Simple sentences are old news (i.e. you’re silently pleading for your teacher not to go over jumlah ismiyyah yet again) and you’ve got a decent collection of relevant words all memorised. So you’re all set when your teacher asks you to write an essay about the topic in Arabic…right?

“Wrong!” says the fear in your eyes when you see the word count, as minuscule as it may be; a few hundred words in your native language definitely doesn’t seem as daunting as this .

It’s almost as if writing an essay in our target language makes us forget everything we’ve ever learnt about essays. And writing, unfortunately.

But there’s no need for stress—here’s four easy tips to simplify the process:

1 Think In Arabic

Often, when we’re writing in our target language, we tend to think of the exact sentence we want to produce in our native language then essentially try to translate it as pen hits paper. That’s where the problem comes in.

Trying to write via the process of translation is much more difficult and will most likely make your writing sound unnatural.

Instead, focus on what idea you want to convey and use the Arabic words and structures that you already know to express it. Much easier.

2 Learn “Copy and Paste” Phrases

One effective way to make your writing sound more sophisticated (and, well, to use up more of the word count) is to learn phrases that you can slot into pretty much any essay.

For example, here’s two simple phrases that I found whilst reading through Arabic articles: مهّد/يُمهِّد الطريق لِـ (“to pave the way for”) and على حافة الاِنهِيار (“on the verge of collapse”).

These phrases really came in handy during my writing tasks and exams at university since I could use them in the context of various topics. (A lot of things are on the verge of collapse, apparently).

3 Punctuate !

Okay, so maybe this was just me, but while my essays in English would be full of a plethora of punctuation, my Arabic essays would be lucky to get a comma thrown in. I think it probably took me three years to even get a bracket down on paper.

So throw those commas in! And the semicolons, colons, dashes, etc…

4 Remember What You Know About Essays

Think structure, connectives, varying sentence lengths, creating interest, clarity of expression.

There may be slight differences in certain aspects of writing style between English and Arabic, but don’t forget what you already know about writing essays in general. And definitely try to use Arabic texts as a source from which you can replicate structures and styles.

And, finally, remember that improvement takes practice —so keep writing .

If you have any other tips for writing Arabic essays, or any phrases that you yourself like to use, please do share them in the comments!

Edit: the book How to Write in Arabic (which I talked in the post Arabic Books on My Bookshelf ) has great guidelines for writing different types of text in Arabic—including a section for those “copy and paste” phrases!

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Arabic Language and Linguistics Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

The morphological ontology of the early Arab grammarians shows the metamorphosis of its tenses. The Arabic syntax in terms of tense and linguistics is divided into two primary forms: faal and yafal. The faal describes the past tense, while yafal describes the present and future tense. Faal and yafal can be used with other verbs to instill meaning and vector framework in their linguistic orientation (Fauzi et al., 2019). It is fundamental to know the verbal and non-verbal linguistics of the Arabic dialect to categorize the aspect categories. Therefore, the starting point is the meta-grammar used as a noetic principle. The Gemeinte is important in making the utterances made by a speaker when speaking Arabic. Equally, the intentum and signum categorized the functionality of conjunctions in the Arabic contexts.

Colloquial Arabic needs progressive reading, listening, writing, and speaking to communicate confidently. According to Levantine Arabic, the natives have useful vocabularies that can help non-natives grasp the linguistic orientation of the language proficiency (Fauzi et al., 2019). Therefore, Arabic emanates from a Semitic language with three living languages: Amharic, Maltese, and Hebrew. The language has 28 letters representing short vowels, consonants, and other pronunciations markers. Levantine Arabic (LA) is spoken in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.

Arabic Pronunciation and Consonants

The phoneme is used as a distinctive sound in various semantics of the Arab linguistic. For instance, some words are used to describe consonants, while others describe vowels. The alterations at times make the word useful or render it passive in a statement. When the parameters are changed, the meanings are also rendered meaningless (Nazir et al., 2019). Consonants are described based on voicing, area of articulation, and manner used in articulation. For example, /s/ and /z/ are pronounced differently based on the voicing: /s/ is pronounced with noiselessness and /z/ is voiced. The articulations of Arabic linguistics need variations in tongue, lips, and teeth. In the Arabic language, the consonants are pronounced through oral or nasal. The nasal consonants are /m, n/, and the lateral sound is /l/. The parameter of Arabic is a mode of laying emphasis based on the consonant emphatic simulation (Nazir et al., 2019). For instance, Arabic /s/ is similar to /s/ in English, but the emphatic /S/ requires lowering the posterior vocal tract. The articulation is similar to its counterparts, such as /s, S/, /dh, DH/, and /t, T/.

The Arabic /t/ is not the same as the English /t/ due to systemic sociolinguistic. LA has variated grasps in transliteration keys that come as two or four shaped positions. According to Arabic alphabets, the descriptions are free from their articulations (Nazir et al., 2019). The following are simulations that are fundamental in getting the Arabic matrix.

• أ/ ʔ/ – this is similar to the glottal plosive sound because, during the pronunciation, the air is blocked below the glottis and then released simultaneously (Nazir et al., 2019). For example, during the performance exercise, repeating the vowel found in “egg” severally makes the pronouncer realize that there are a series of glottal plosives of the repetitive vowel.
• ث/ th/ – the sound varies amongst Arabic speakers based on gender, social class, and area of residence such as rural or urban (Gusdian & Lestiono, 2020). Many men and people emanating from rural pronounce this consonant as (/th/: /thalaathih/= tree). Women and people from urban areas convert the same word to (/t/: /talaatih/ = three).
• ح/ H/ – the sound has no English counterpart, categorized under the voiceless pharyngeal fricative.
• ج/ j/ – this sound is similar to English “jealous, but some social groupings in the Arabic language mention it differently. Many women or people from Arabic urban contexts pronounce it like the French word “rouge.”
• خ/ x/ is pronounced with a similar sound to that of the “ch” in Germany “lock.”
• ر/ r/ is not pronounced like the /r/ in English because the dialect is closer to trill. When pronouncing it, the tongue is pulled forward, and then the tongue tip touches the alveolar ridge once.
• ص/ S/ – the sound is pronounced as an English /s/ because it is an emphatic articulation. The sound is pronounced using the alveolar ridge when the /s/ is pronounced. Equally, the Arabic /S/ is pronounced with the lower jaw a little bit back (Gusdian & Lestiono, 2020). The primary constriction is the alveolar ridge, and the simulation is the fundamental formulation of the Arabic consonant.
• ض/ D/ – is similar to English /d/, and the pronunciation simulation is similar to the English orientation.
• ط/ T/ and ظ/ DH/ are similar to the emphatic counterpart /t/ and “the” consecutively.
• ع/ 3/ – the sound has no English constant, but the Arabic /H/is the closest. The vocal fold vibration accompanies the sound. It is a sound produced as if someone is being strangled.
• غ/ gh/ – this is voiced as velar fricative, pronounced as the English /g/. The main difference is that the /g/ can be pronounced as a fricative because /gh/ is pronounced when air is constricted. The /gh/ is similar to the /r/ in French “rouge.”

Arabic Tense

It is ideal to know the verb root system to understand the Arabic tense. The Semitic language has a complex logarithm in building words affiliated to the primary root. Many Arabic words emanate from a trilateral root, and the pattern serves as the foundation of all other words (Zhao & Shirai, 2018). For example, k-t-b forms the trilateral root for words affiliated with “writing.” Katib كاتِب refers to a writer, Kitab كِتَاب refers to a book, Maktab مَكتَب refers to an office or desk, and Maktabah مَكتَبة is the bookshop or library.

When it comes to the verb roots, the essential aspect is to know that the trilateral root can absorb up to fifteen verb forms. However, the most common type of trilateral absorption takes ten forms. Individuals can create different verbs by adding prefixes, changing root consonants and suffixes (Zhao & Shirai, 2018). For example, the verb فعل (to do) takes different forms, and the most basic one is the root verb faʿala ( فَعَلَ ). The second form of faʿala is done by doubling the sound of the letter ع to form faʿʿala ( فَعَّلَ ). By doubling the letter, it becomes a transitive verb, meaning the action posed was done to someone or something. The third form is fāʿala ( فاعَلَ ) that means the transitive verb was done with something or someone (Zhao & Shirai, 2018). The same word takes the causative and transitive orientation, and it requires an object to complete when it becomes afʿala ( أفْعَلَ ). The other conformity of the verb includes tafaʿala as reflexive, tafāʿala as passive, infaʿala when used as passive version, iftaʿala as reflexive version with different nuances, and istafʿala when used as a considerate verb.

Present Tense

The Arabic language uses tense to express ongoing and habitual actions. The emphasis can be shown through adverbs such as “now” and “every day.” The adverb “now in Arabic is “al-ʾān” and “every day” in Arabic is “kulla yawm.” The sentences below show the differential use of tenses in “al-ʾān” and “kulla yawm.”

• ʾaḏhabu ʾilā al-ǧāmiʿah kulla yawm’ = ‘I go to the university every day.’
• ʾataḥaddaṯu maʿ ʾumī al-ʾān’ = ‘I am talking to my mom now ‘

The table on the next page shows an example of conjugation for the verb “to do” (فَعَلَ) (Obiedat, 2019). It is possible to form a negative tense by adding لا prefix before the verb. When the prefix is added to the present tense, it changes its verb into future tense.

The past tense in Arabic is the same as in English tense because the third person form is the verb. The past tense is made using the prefix لم placed before the present tense verb in Arabic (Obiedat, 2019). The table below shows the past tense framework using the verb “to do.”

Arabic Phonetics

The phonetics of the Arabic language is analyzed based on quality or quantity. The vowel quality refers to the tongue height being high or low. The vowel quantity is the duration it takes to produce the vowel while maintaining the quality. For instance, the vowels in bat and beat have different qualities. Each word entails opening the mouth with a different logarithmic degree to be mentioned correctly to maintain quality; in terms of quantity, the tongue position spatializes between high and low parameters (Alrumhi, 2021). The general outlook of beat and bat have differences in /i/ and /æ/. Arabic phonetics has four short and long vowels, and each pair have two vowels that vary in terms of quantity. For example, /nam/ is the imperative verb of sleep, while /naam/ is the past form of the verb. Phonetically, the verb changed in quantity because the second verb doubled the vowel “a,” making it longer than its counterpart.

Arabic Duration

The time taken to pronounce the vowels and consonants in Arabic is very significant in bringing the difference of the meanings. The allophonic and phonemic variation can differentiate between the tense and the meaning of any word. A phonemic logarithm changes the phoneme while the allophonic variation does not distort the word. A phonemic variation results in a change in the new word or rendering the word meaningless (Alrumhi, 2021). In the allophonic variation, the word introduces a dialectal variation, but it does not change the meaning of the word or make it meaningless. The examples below show the phonemic and allophonic variations and how the distortions bring effects.

• Example 1: ham versus hat
• Example 2: BrE. Basil versus AmE. Basil

In example 1, the phonetic variation changes the phoneme /m/ and makes it /t/. The change in example 1 makes the two words have a different meaning. In example 2, the phonemic variation occurs when the first vowel is changed from /eı/ to /æ/. The durational differences in the Arabic language are made by making identical vowels in terms of quality to become variated phonemes (Furqon & Fauzi, 2019). When the difference manifests as vowels, it becomes long or short vowels. The durational difference is utilized through consonants referred to as single or germinate. The examples below show the differences utilized in consonants in the Arabic context.

• Example 1A: katab – to write
• Example 1B: kaatab – the exchange of letters
• Example 2A: daras – to study
• Example 2B: darras – to teach someone

The words in examples 1A and 1B show a difference in vocalic durational difference, while those in 3A and 3B show the consonantal durational difference (Furqon & Fauzi, 2019). Both examples have changed their word difference according to the Arabic logarithm.

Arabic Stress

Stress forms a relative prominence on various syllables within a given context. In Arabic, stress is allophonic, but in English, it is phonemic. This means that stress does not change the meaning of a word in Arabic, but it changes the word’s meaning in English. For example, present is a gift while pre’sent is giving a talk or giving something to an individual. Stress in Arabic enables the listener to distinguish between long and short vowels within a sentence (Al Suwaiyan, 2018). It is also weight-sensitive because the syllable that receives the stress becomes heavier than other syllables within a given sentence. In a sentence, syllable weight is measured by the type and number of segments it contains. Longer vowels become heavier than short vowels, and most of the tie the geminates are segmented across syllable framework. When two or more syllables are distributed across syllables, the syllable is left aligned to receive the commendable stress that it needs to stress a point (Al Suwaiyan, 2018). For example, the last consonant in a word has weight when the last syllable that contains the consonant is unstressed. Any form of stress is done in a manner that it brings the difference in the contextual meaning.

Consonant Clusters and Socio-phonetics

Consonantal adjacency is an important aspect of the Arabic language. Some consonants are permissible in some languages, but it is revoked in others. For instance, the Japanese language accepts /ts/ as an initial, but English accepts the sequence as a word-final position. Arabic has different word initials that cluster its word matrix (Nodari et al., 2019). However, Standard Arabic orientation does not allow the usage of the consonant cluster as a word-initial position. For example, /kitaab/ refers to a book in Modern Standard Arabic but /ktaab/ refers to a book in Levantine Arabic. Equally, Arabic is leveled based on several factors such as gender, economic class, ethnic group, social class, and social relations (Nodari et al., 2019). Gender controls most of the speech varieties, and it categorizes all logarithms into male or female. The socio-phonetic point interdentals /th/, //dh/ and /DH/ are affiliated to the male speech. Females use plain and non-emphatic counterparts whenever they are required to pronounce words with emphatic consonants.

Root Morphology

The Arabic language has a systematic word structure that conforms to mathematical concepts. All Arabic words with independent meanings have their roots made up of three consonants. The three consonants are called radicals linguistically, and their roots may contain more consonants (Haddad et al., 2018). According to the Arabic spectrum, the radicals maintain their order regardless of the segments added in differential derivations. The derivations follow specific template structures that make the root meaning understood. Subsequently, the root concepts are utilized when the new verbs are presented. For example, consider k, t, and b the root meaning of “write.” Below is a list of root morphologies that the consonants can make.

• Example 1: katab to mean, “He wrote”
• Example 2: katbat to mean, “She wrote”
• Example 3: katabu to mean, “They wrote” (masculine)
• Example 4: kaatib to mean “writer” (masculine)
• Example 5: maktuub to mean “Written”
• Example 6: maktabih, which means “library”
• Example 7: ktaab to mean “book”
• Example 8: kutub to mean “books”

From the examples posed above, each word retains its root and maintains the consonants’ radical order. The meaning of the retained root consonants has something related to the consonance meaning (Haddad et al., 2018). Arabic orientation expresses various ideas with different utterances, and when uttered, it might bring different meanings. Therefore, when an individual changes the grammar, word order, cultural setting, word choices, or history, the translation might change the usage of a word or its meaning. It is fundamental to know the language’s pronunciation to bring the difference in masculine sentences and feminine sentiments (Haddad et al., 2018). Any confusion can misguide the listener and bring a different meaning to the conversation or the passage.

Syntactic Aspect in Arabic

The aspect and tense in Arabic show that the verbs interact with the internal arguments such as the modifiers, object, and particles to show aspectual interpretations. Equally, the verb becomes the tense phrase to synchronize with the tense features. Therefore, the tense and aspect features are developed due to syntactic relations and functional projections. The elements in Arabic refer to the definite end of the event or the continuous spectrum of the sentence being posed. Aspect is different from tense because it refers to the timeline that the speaker or writer uttered the words.

Arabic does replace “it” with either “he” or “she” to signify the gender orientation of the object being referred to. Compared to European languages, the Arabic language is substantially different because pronouns can either be independent or part of the word. When the pronoun is part of the given the word, it is a possessive pronoun (Haddad et al., 2018). These pronouns have suffixes at the end of the nouns, prepositions, and verbs. The table below shows the possessive pronouns in a word such as “ktaab” (book). The possessive pronouns are underlined to provide clarity to understand the differentiation.

Number and Gender Agreement

The Arabic language is ambiguous since many words have more sense dependent on the gender addressing it or being addressed. The predefined stop words do not affect the meaning of ambiguous words in the original sentence. The language has a subject-verb order to obtain fluency in active sentences. Whenever individuals use gainful passives, they lack case endings in the Arabic morphology. Equally, the language borrows some foreign semantics equivalent to modern standard Arabic (Kramer & Winchester, 2018). At times, the language is mixed with Jordanian Arabic and modern Arabic due to a lack of competence and clarification on the words posed. Equally, some words have more than one sense depending on the context being used. The word sense disambiguation (WSD) helps people to find the ambiguous word and the aim of its framework (Kramer & Winchester, 2018). The algorithm segmentation eliminates the stop words and ensures that the sentence matches the augmentation context. Gender agreement depends on the algorithm segmentation and the tonal variations based on gender being addressed.

Learning modes of using the verbs and verb tenses in Arabic should be done with care because any mismatch means the whole sentence is formless. It is essential to learn the tense usage, gender matrix, ideological tenses, and prefix usages in various nouns to clarify the Arabic context’s differentiated meanings. The root system in Arabic verbs forms the base of every semantic, and developing the primary verb tense is fundamental in passing the intended ideology. The language has circumstantial and conditional clauses that set the situation of the occurrences. In circumstantial clauses, the subject of discussion is usually the pronoun that is identical to the superordinate clause. The conditional clauses must have the present, future, or past time reference to enable the language to have differentiated degrees of hypothetic. The syntax of the verbs is arranged in the primary and subordinate clauses. In Arabic, every form of passage or speech conforms to its verb formulations to indicate the aspectual and non-habitual anteriority. This shows the temporal verbs’ aspectual character with clear categories of categories between the Levantine Arabic and Modern Arabic.

Kramer, R., & Winchester, L. (2018). Number and gender agreement in Saudi Arabic: morphology vs. syntax. The Proceedings of the 17th Texas Linguistic Society , 39-53.

Al Suwaiyan, L. (2018). Diglossia in the Arabic Language. International Journal of Language & Linguistics , 5 (3). Web.

Alrumhi, H. (2021). The formulation and generation of terms for phonetics and phonology in the Classical Arabic linguistic treatises. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies , 17 (1), 575-590. Web.

Fauzi, M., Buhun, M., & Purwadi, A. (2019). The Influence of Teams Games Tournament (TGT) toward Students’ Interest in Arabic Language Learning. Izdihar: Journal of Arabic Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature , 2 (2), 135. Web.

Furqon, M., & Fauzi, M. (2019). The Values of Educational Character in the Arabic Temples of Qasidah Burdah by Imam Bushiri. Izdihar: Journal of Arabic Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature , 2 (1), 67. Web.

Gusdian, R., & Lestiono, R. (2020). Incorporating Hijaiyah Sounds in English Pronunciation Class: Students’ Perception. JEES (Journal of English Educators Society) , 5 (1), 83-88. Web.

Haddad, B., Awwad, A., Hattab, M., & Hattab, A. (2018). Associative Root–Pattern Data and Distribution in Arabic Morphology. Data , 3 (2), 10. Web.

Nazir, F., Majeed, M., Ghazanfar, M., & Maqsood, M. (2019). Mispronunciation Detection Using Deep Convolutional Neural Network Features and Transfer Learning-Based Model for Arabic Phonemes. IEEE Access , 7 , 52589-52608. Web.

Nodari, R., Celata, C., & Nagy, N. (2019). Socio-indexical phonetic features in the heritage language context: Voiceless stop aspiration in the Calabrian community in Toronto. Journal of Phonetics , 73 , 91-112. Web.

Obiedat, A. (2019). Axiomatizing Elementary Arabic Syntax. International Journal for Arabic Linguistics and Literature Studies , 1 (1), 73-89. Web.

Zhao, H., & Shirai, Y. (2018). Arabic learners’ acquisition of English past tense morphology. Tense and Aspect in Second Language Acquisition and Learner Corpus Research , 4 (2), 253-276. Web.

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The Simplest Way To Improve Your Arabic Writing

If you are serious in your Arabic learning, you obviously need to follow a plan focused around your learning goals.

Just like with reading and speaking skills, you will need to follow a structured method to improve your Arabic writing skills.

I tried here to avoid the general writing advice that applies to writing in all foreign languages, focusing on the specifics of Arabic language composition.

I will share with  you the practical tips you can use to practice writing in Modern Standard Arabic. 

Please note that what I am sharing with you here does not apply to the colloquial dialects of Arabic.

I will also show you how to use the Arabic keyboard, develop your writing strategy, request writing assignments from your instructor if you have one, and spell correctly without looking it up online in addition to other tips you can incorporate in your learning.

Table of Contents

1.Read.. a lot!

Reading Arabic content is a prerequisite to good Arabic writing. To be able to generate output (write), you will need to be exposed to a good amount and quality of Arabic reading (input) at a regular frequency . 

Picking up a routine of reading Arabic content that is within your level or slightly above it will enrich your vocabulary. 

A suitable reading material is any content you can read and understand 80% of it. Anything less than that is a little too advanced for you at the current stage. To develop a Arabic reading skills, make sure you read this article .

It is important that you are intentional in your reading. That is to say you have to selectively read material that will help you with your language expression needs. 

For instance, if you are a beginner, try to read content that will help you write about yourself, your family and personal interests to equip yourself with the writing vocabulary and tools to meet your written expression needs as a beginner. 

As you progress, try to vary your reading content to cover different types of themes and styles such as comparative, argumentative, narration, instructions , to name a few, so that you can emulate them when you write.

2.Add the Arabic keyboard on your devices

In addition to practicing writing on a notepad the traditional way, it is equally important to add an Arabic keyboard on your phone and electronic devices. 

If you have not done it yet, use this detailed tutorial to add the Arabic keyboard to your iphone and other devices.

While handwriting will give you a kinetic experience in learning how to connect the letters together, the Arabic keyboard will provide you with a convenient way to practice Arabic composition.

You can use your phone Arabic keyboard to type a casual short text message or a newly encountered term or type up a small paragraph during your daily commute or lunch break. 

By incorporating this small adjustment in your daily routine, you are turning the new skill of Arabic typing into a second nature, further enhancing your Arabic writing ability.

3. Mimic writings you like.

There is a huge lack of  tested strategies in teaching Arabic writing. In the Arab world, dictation or orthography was almost the only writing exercise taught in grade schools in the Arab world. 

Composition was never drilled as methodologically as it is in French or English, except for the traditional breakdown of the introduction , body and conclusion . 

This means  you will have to be proactive in learning how to write in Arabic. You will need to select your favorite writing style or author(s) and try to emulate it and hone that skillset as you go. 

Certain Arabic news sites, like Doha-based Aljazeera TV and London-based Saudi daily As-Sharq al-Awsat , adopt modern writing styles. You can visit one or both websites for your daily dose of Arabic news and observe their writing style and word choice. 

Unlike traditional Arab writers, the two above-mentioned sites use a linear informative style with a minimal editorial touch due to their worldwide audiences. 

As you progress and build up your proficiency, you can move up to reading literature if you desire.

4. Adopt the multiple drafts approach.

If you are learning Arabic in a classroom setting and you are not being challenged to write in Arabic, you should raise the issue with your instructor and politely ask for the opportunity to produce writing essays.

Ideally the teacher will adopt the multiple drafts method . You submit your first draft, and the instructor would return it to you with comments on points that need improvement or more elaboration until you submit your third and final draft. 

This method prevents you from procrastinating and allows you to display your  early thinking and analysis, which could disappear if you wait until the last minute to submit a rushed write-up.

Early thinking allows the instructor to guide your writing attempts early on in the process before the pressure of deadlines starts piling up.

Also, by starting early, you focus on delivering good content, which makes for a more enjoyable experience in writing what you have to write. It also provides you with opportunities to  self-critique , improve your paper and re-submit. 

This process will consequently help you hone your Arabic writing skills because it forces you to apply your analytical thinking on your own writing.  

5. Incorporate the terminology and rules you learned.

Take everything you learn about Arabic as parts of a whole, and always think of the larger picture which eventually revolves around communicating effectively in Arabic. 

As you learn new grammar rules and memorize new vocabulary from reading and listening to Arabic content, make a deliberate effort to put everything you learn into practice. 

Incorporate in your writing a nice phrase or idiom you picked up recently and recall the grammatical and spelling rules you have been learning. 

In the Arabic language, there is a rule for everything. If you can’t recall the rule, look it up. For instance,  if you have to use a word that contains the hamza  (ء), see the rule that determines its placement such as its vowel ( harakat ) and that of the letter that precedes it instead of just looking up online how it is spelled. 

As a general rule, if you try to memorize word spellings, you will keep looking them up online; if you grasp the rule that governs the spelling, you will rarely have to look up a word. All you have to do is recall the spelling rule. 

For instance, if you have to write the hamza (ء) with a sukun vowel ْ  , the rule says that if it’s preceded by a kassra vowel it should be spelled as ئ as in بِئْر ( a well).

By grasping this rule, you will never have to look up how to write hamza with a sukun vowel when preceded by a kassra vowel. 

6. Consider your audience.

One thing about the Arab culture is that formalities and hierarchy are important, and the use of Arabic language in communication mirrors that. Therefore, it is very important to consider your audience as you attempt to write a letter, an email or even a text message. 

If you are writing a formal letter or communique, you want to make sure you refer to the person you are addressing in the second person plural. Not only it shows that you respect the other party, but also demonstrates that you know enough about the culture to use the proper form.

You also want to use a bit of flowery and deferential style as you address government employees and highly placed people. 

For example, use  صاحب السعادة or جنابكم الموقر — which roughly translates to “Your respected excellency”  — in official communication with Arab recipients.

This may sound unreasonable, or even laughable, in your native language, but this is the right register to use in formal communication and official letters. 

The Arab culture ranks high in the Power Distance Index (PDI) , a measure used by some sociologists. This means that Arabs respect and accept the hierarchical order that is set in their societies. As a learner of Arabic, you may want to show that you understand that.

Similarly, if you are writing to someone with a PhD, you should address the person as Doctor So & So   (الدكتور); if you are writing to an engineer, you address him as Engineer So & So (المهندس). 

7. Write regularly and solicit feedback.

Long-term consistency beats short-term intensity. Bruce Lee

The ideal frequency of writing practice is to do a little bit everyday over a long period of time instead of intense irregular sessions. 

Three or four short writing sessions a week are more effective than a three-hour  session once a week.

Make sure you ask for feedback on your Arabic speaking proficiency from qualified individuals, such as your instructor, educated native speakers, and even supportive peers who are familiar with your learning track.

Asking for feedback also means that you should take it as an opportunity to develop and improve without dwelling on your shortcomings.

Proceed with caution though. What you need is constructive criticism that can help you improve your speaking. Avoid asking negative or unqualified individuals who may demotivate you.

8. Build a repertoire of useful verbs, descriptions, and conjunctions

You may find that you have a tendency to selectively pick your vocabulary based on what you find easy, difficult or cool or even fun to the ear.  

Although this is not a very bad habit, you want to make sure you are intentional in collecting  the vocabulary that will help with your conversational needs. 

Make an effort to be deliberate in picking up functional verbs, phrases, adjectives and linking words that will help you with telling a story, describing a person, comparing ideas or making a conclusion.

If you are lucky and have a good instructor,  you may participate in guided conversational sessions built around specific themes and situations in accordance with your speaking abilities and objectives. 

A good use of vocabulary will not only leave a positive impression on your interlocutors but will also show what kind of an Arabic learner you are.

9. Plan ahead and use and outline

For writing structure and planning, you can use the traditional writing methods. Start with general ideas and work your way into the small details. 

Jot down your main ideas and start with your subheadings first. This will help you remain organized and focused on your topic. 

Remember that language is just a tool to convey meanings and ideas. Once you establish an outline to organize your main points and subheadings, you start using your vocabulary and own style to translate the ideas into words. 

Since your purpose is to improve your written expression, don’t give too much attention to the ideas at the expense of form.

The whole point is to practice the grammar and spelling rules you have been learning to come up with a coherent and easy to follow essay.

10. Don’t be afraid of writing

Finally, enjoy your status as a foreign language student and write without fear or anxiety of being judged. Expectations from you as a language student are not as high as what’s expected of you in your native language. 

Be bold and borrow a thick skin if you don’t have one. Try to write using your own style while you maintain good grammar, spelling and proper form. 

You will of course make mistakes, but what’s the big deal? Mistakes create the best learning opportunities in learning Arabic or any foreign language. 

Just like in other languages, your writing will only become better with regular practice over time.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Happy writing!

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Arabic Language: Research & Writing

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General Writing Resources

The Writing Process These resources will help you with the writing process: pre-writing (invention), developing research questions and outlines, composing thesis statements, and proofreading. While the writing process may be different for each person and for each particular assignment, the resources contained in this section follow the general work flow of pre-writing, organizing, and revising. For resources and examples on specific types of writing assignments, please go to our Common Writing Assignments area.

Academic Writing These resources will help you with the types of writing you may encounter while in college. The resources range from rhetorical approaches for writing, to document organization, to sentence level work, such as clarity. For specific examples of writing assignments, please see our Common Writing Assignments area.

Common Writing Assignments These resources will help you understand and complete specific types of writing assignments, such as annotated bibliographies, book reports, and research papers. This section also includes resources on writing academic proposals for conference presentations, journal articles, and books.

Mechanics These resources will help you with sentence level organization and style. This area includes resources on writing issues, such as active and passive voice, parallel sentence structure, parts of speech, and transitions.

Grammar These resources will help you use correct grammar in your writing. This area includes resources on grammar topics, such as count and non-count nouns, articles (a versus an), subject-verb agreement, and prepositions.

Punctuation These resources will help you with punctuation, such as using commas, quotation marks, apostrophes, and hyphens.

Visual Rhetoric These resources will help you understand and work with rhetorical theories regarding visual and graphical displays of information. This area includes resources on analyzing and producing visual rhetoric, working with colors, and designing effective slide presentations.

Writing and Research Assistance

• Writing in Specific Subjects
• GCC English Department - provides links to WWW Resources for Writers
• Dartmouth Writing Program
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center
• Resources for Writers - George Mason University
• Researchpaper.com "The Web's largest collection of topics, ideas, and assistance."
• A+Research and Writing Guide . Provides a step-by-step guide to writing a research paper, research methodology and resources, and links to  OWLS (Online Writing Labs) that provide guides to specific types of papers and essays (e.g., argumentative, narrative, comparative).
• The Nuts and Bolts Guide to College Writing - a very good source for all aspects of writing, including the mechanics of grammar, types of papers, and citation formats (APA, MLA, and Chicago).
• Annotated Bibliographies (Overview & Examples)
• Annotated Bibliography Sample from APA
• Sample Annotated Bibliography Entries in MLA, APA, Chicago (U of Oklahoma CLS)
• English as a Second Language
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Technical Writing in Science and Engineering

•   Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students from Penn State
• Help with Technical Writing from the UBC Statistics Department
• Advice on Research and Writing from Carnegie Mellon University

Writing an Abstract

Abstracts briefly summarize the main findings of a paper or book. By reading an abstract, the reader can tell whether or not a paper or book will cover the material in which they are interested.

These sites have good information on writing an abstract:

• Abstracts (good information on types of abstracts)
• Abstracts (good step-by-step instructions)
• How to Write an Abstract (includes good examples)

Evaluating Resources

Not all information published in books or on the internet is credible or appropriate for your needs. It is important to make sure the sources you use are credible and at the right level for what you are doing.

These pages are useful guides to evaluate your sources:

• Evaluating Print Resources
• Evaluating Internet Resources
• Evaluating Print Sources from Bowling Green State University Library
• Evaluating Print Resources from the University of Alabama Libraries
• Evaluating Resources from Duke Libraries
• Evaluating Web Content from the University at Albany Libraries
• Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply and Questions to Ask from the Berkeley Libraries
• Critical Evaluation of Resources on the Internet from the University of Alberta Libraries
• Checklist for Evaluating Web Resources from the University of Southern Maine

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Arabic Language and Islam

Introduction.

• Pre-Islamic Arabic and the Semitic Nexus
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Arabic Language and Islam by Mustafa Shah LAST REVIEWED: 29 November 2011 LAST MODIFIED: 29 November 2011 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195390155-0009

The Arabic language, which is the mother tongue of over 250 million people across the Middle East and North Africa, serves not only as a powerful symbol of Arab national identity, but is also the sacrosanct language of the scripture of Islam. Its fortunes have been decisively influenced by its close association with the faith. Indeed, the attempts to explicate and preserve scripture ultimately engendered the sciences of learning that became synonymous with the tradition of Arabic linguistic thought; and, for many centuries, Arabic served as the linguistic vehicle through which many of Islamic civilization’s religious, cultural, and intellectual achievements were articulated and refined. This bibliography will introduce some of the key critical surveys of the language and its historical development, covering early, medieval, and modern periods, while also listing those studies which have focused on the various theoretical and historical features of the Arabic linguistic sciences within the context of the traditional Arabic grammarians’ approach to the study of language. Special attention will be directed toward research which has sought to accentuate the pivotal role that linguistic thought played in the synthesis of theological, legal, rhetorical, and exegetical constructs, allowing insight into the somewhat intricate interplay which informs the conceptual compasses of faith and language in the Islamic context.

General Overviews

A fine introduction to the modern language is provided by Beeston 2006 ; this should be consulted in conjunction with Holes 2004 , which is both comprehensive and authoritative. Versteegh’s definitive study of the Arabic language covers pre-Islamic, classical, and Modern Arabic across a range of modern linguistic topics ( Versteegh 2001 ). Owens 2006 is essentially an attempt to reconstruct proto-Arabic using historical-comparative linguistic models. It deals with issues germane to the history of the esteemed literary koine of Arabic and colloquial vernaculars. On a parallel theoretical theme, Zwettler 1978 attempts to apply a modified version of Milman Parry and Albert Lord’s theory of oral-formulaic composition to pre- and early Islamic poetry, discussing the preeminence of the literary koine; he also deals with the argument as to whether declensional endings were features of the classical Arabic idiom. It is worth noting that Fück 1950 discusses many of these issues, and the author’s work is still deemed significant. In the context of the debate concerning distinctions between the elevated form of classical Arabic and colloquial vernaculars in common usage among the early Arabs, Blau 2002 reviews the features of the literary diction defined as Middle Arabic. Stylistic and literary discussions germane to the modern language are discussed in Stetkevych 2006 . In Shah 2008 , aspects of the historical and religious importance of the language are broached.

Beeston, A. F. L. The Arabic Language Today . Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2006.

Originally published in 1970, this remains a highly respected survey of the Arabic language by a late scholar who was considered to be one of the outstanding authorities in the field of south Arabian studies.

Blau, Joshau. A Handbook of Early Middle Arabic . Jerusalem: Max Schloessinger Memorial Foundation, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2002.

The term Middle Arabic refers to a type of literary Arabic which deviates from the classical idiom; this work reviews some of its principal features.

Fück, Johann. Arabiya: Untersuchungen zur arabischen Sprach-und Stilgeschichte . Berlin: Akademie-Verlag, 1950.

This work provides a survey of the classical language and its features and is presented in essay format.

Holes, Clive. Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties . Rev. ed. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2004.

This provides a description of the structure of Modern Arabic in terms of its written and spoken expressions. It also gauges the interplay among levels and varieties of usage within the modern context. It is an excellent work.

Owens, Jonathan. A Linguistic History of Arabic . Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

This history adopts an innovative approach to mapping out the origins and development of proto-Arabic, offering some intriguing suggestions on the subject of the origin of Arabic dialects.

Shah, Mustafa. “The Arabic Language.” In The Islamic World . Edited by Andrew Rippin, 261–277. London and New York: Routledge, 2008.

The theological import of discussions germane to the inimitability of the Qur’an and the primacy of the Meccan dialects is assessed in this survey along with the broader historical emergence of the language.

Stetkevych, Jaroslav. The Modern Arabic Literary Language: Lexical and Stylistic Developments . Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 2006.

Some of the more classical features of the language are explored in terms of their modern literary expression. The discussion of the modern use of etymology, neologisms, and analogy is particularly insightful. Originally published in 1970.

Versteegh, Kees. The Arabic Language . Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2001.

The range of topics covered in this text is impressive, and it boasts an extensive bibliography. Its author is one of the leading authorities in the field of Arabic linguistics and is keenly sensitive to the various debates and arguments in the field.

Zwettler, Michael. The Oral Tradition of Classical Arabic Poetry: Its Character and Implications . Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1978.

This is an attempt to apply a modified version of Milman Parry and Albert Lord’s theory of oral-formulaic composition to the extensive corpus of pre- and early Islamic poetry. The declensional endings in Arabic are also discussed in the context of the esteemed poetic koine.

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The Cultural Significance of the Arabic Language

Explore the cultural significance of the arabic language in language development, art, literature, music, and culture. discover the rich history and influence of arabic across various disciplines., introduction.

The Arabic language, with its rich history and cultural significance, has played a pivotal role in shaping language development, art, literature, music, and culture. This article explores the impact and influence of Arabic across various disciplines and highlights its importance in our global society.

Language Development

Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 420 million native speakers. It is the official language of 26 countries, spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. The linguistic characteristics of Arabic have greatly influenced other languages, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science, and philosophy.

Arabic numerals, derived from the Indian numeral system, revolutionized mathematics and spread to Europe during the Middle Ages. Algebra, an Arabic word, originated from the works of prominent Arab mathematicians like Al-Khwarizmi. Arabic scientific texts preserved the knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman scholars, making significant contributions to fields such as astronomy, medicine, and chemistry.

Furthermore, the beauty and intricacy of the Arabic language have inspired countless scholars to study its grammar, syntax, and poetry, leading to advancements in linguistic theory and language development.

Art and Calligraphy

The Arabic language has deeply influenced the art world, particularly through calligraphy. Arabic calligraphy is an intricate and highly respected art form, with its roots dating back to the early Islamic era. It combines visual aesthetics with written expression, creating stunning compositions that adorn mosques, palaces, and other architectural marvels.

The calligraphic representations of Arabic script have become symbolic of Islamic art and culture. The use of intricate patterns, geometric shapes, and harmonious designs in calligraphy showcases the artistic capabilities of the Arabic language.

Literature and Poetry

Arabic literature boasts a rich heritage spanning centuries, with renowned poets and writers contributing to its immense cultural significance. Ancient Arabic poetry, such as the works of Al-Mutanabbi and Abu Nuwas, captured the essence of Arabic language and culture, exploring themes of love, nature, and spirituality.

The advent of Islam brought a literary revolution, as the Quran became the epitome of Arabic literature, renowned for its poetic beauty and linguistic eloquence. This sacred text not only influenced religious practices but also inspired a vast body of Arabic literature across genres.

Modern Arabic literature continues to flourish, producing notable authors like Naguib Mahfouz and Ghassan Kanafani, whose works have garnered international acclaim and shed light on the diverse cultural experiences within the Arabic-speaking world.

Music and Culture

Music plays an integral role in Arabic culture, and the Arabic language has greatly influenced the development of various musical styles and genres. Traditional Arabic music is characterized by its melodic intricacy, rhythmic patterns, and unique vocal techniques.

The maqam system, a complex system of melodic modes, provides the foundation for Arabic music. It allows for improvisation and expression, creating a dynamic and emotive musical experience. Arabic musical instruments such as the oud, qanun, and ney have become iconic symbols of the rich musical heritage.

Arabic music not only serves as a form of entertainment but also serves as a means of cultural expression and storytelling. It reflects the diverse traditions, customs, and values of the Arabic-speaking world, fostering a sense of identity and belonging among its people.

Cultural Impact and Global Relevance

The Arabic language and its cultural significance extend far beyond the borders of the Arab world. Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, highlighting its global importance in diplomacy, international relations, and cross-cultural communication.

Furthermore, the influence of Arabic can be seen in various aspects of Western culture. From the Arabic words borrowed into European languages to the architectural influences of Arabesque patterns, the impact of Arabic is deeply rooted in Western civilization.

The popularity of Arabic calligraphy, Arabic music, and Arabic literature has transcended cultural boundaries, captivating audiences worldwide and fostering a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of Arabic culture.

Preserving and Promoting Arabic Language and Culture

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is crucial to recognize and preserve the Arabic language and its cultural heritage. Efforts to promote Arabic language education, both within Arab countries and internationally, are essential for maintaining its vitality and ensuring its future.

Furthermore, initiatives that support the translation and dissemination of Arabic literature and artistic works contribute to the global appreciation and understanding of Arabic culture.

Cross-cultural collaborations, exchange programs, and cultural festivals provide platforms for intercultural dialogue and the celebration of Arabic language, art, music, and literature.

The Arabic language holds immense cultural significance, shaping language development, art, literature, music, and culture. From its influence on language and scientific advancements to its contributions to the realms of art, literature, and music, Arabic has left an indelible mark on human civilization.

Recognizing and appreciating the cultural significance of Arabic language and culture fosters a more inclusive and diverse global society. By preserving and promoting the Arabic language, we can bridge cultural gaps, foster mutual understanding, and celebrate the richness of human expression.

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Arabic Essay Language

An Arabic language blog featuring useful phrases for writing essays in the target language. The blog includes Arabic idioms, proverbs, and academic phrases to assist the language learner in writing more complex essays.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

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Learn A Language Through Stories

Why Learn Arabic? 14 Incredible Reasons To Learn Arabic

Why learn Arabic ? I asked myself the same thing before thinking about learning Arabic. 

Let’s cut to the chase then. A few years ago when I was thinking about learning a new language, I found out that Arabic is one of the most important languages in the world.

That said, I quickly realized that it’s a challenging language, in fact it’s one of the hardest languages in the world. But don’t feel discouraged!

Over time, learning Arabic helped me expand my linguistic abilities, and taught me a lot of new things that are useful for my personal and professional life. And that’s even before getting to the fact that it’s a joy to learn! 

So let’s find out then – why learn Arabic? 

By the way, if you’re thinking about learning Arabic, then I have some great news for you!  I have beginner course called Arabic Uncovered . It’s a course where you can rely on the power of story and the unique StoryLearning® approach to learn Arabic!

It’s fun, easy, and effective! Make sure to sign up here for the course if you’re interested! 

If you prefer watching videos to reading, hit play on the video version of this post below. Otherwise, keep scrolling to discover the answer to the question: why learn Arabic?

1. Arabic Is Spoken All Over The World

Guess what? Arabic is spoken by millions of people all over the world. There are somewhere between 350-450 million Arabic speakers globally across more than 50 Arabic-speaking countries.

If you do the math (and if you don’t want to do the math, then let me do it for you!), then that means that it’s the 5th most spoken language in the world!

Of course, not everyone speaks the same kind of Arabic, because there are lots of Arabic dialects . One time, I was hanging out with a group of Arabic-speaking friends from different countries: Egypt, Iraq, and Morocco. They could barely understand each other!

Still, Arabic is the main official language in all of these and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. 

I also have tons of friends who are part of the Arab diaspora who live in countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, who all speak Arabic as well. 

Arabic is such an important language that it’s even one of the UN working languages. 

At the same time, Arabic is also the official language for many other countries because of its role in Islam, which brings me to the next reason why you should learn Arabic.

2. Understand The History And Traditions Of Islam

Did you know that Islam is one of the most important religions in the world? With close to 2 billion followers, more than a quarter of the world’s population identify as Muslim! 

When I visited the Middle East for the first time, I went to Cairo in Egypt. There, I was constantly reminded of the major role Arabic plays in Islam when I heard verses in classical Arabic straight from the Qur’an being blared on loudspeakers, five times a day.  

Many Muslims across the world, even if they are not from an Arabic-speaking country, have a strong foundation in Arabic to better understand and connect with the teachings of Islam. 

If you’re Muslim, then learning Arabic can be a great way to connect with your religion. And even if you aren’t Muslim, then learning Arabic can help you better understand the religion and promote cross-cultural understanding. 

3. Travelling In The Middle East And North Africa 

It took some time for me to get around to visiting the Middle East and North Africa, but I wasn’t disappointed once I started.

After starting to learn Arabic, I visited Egypt to experience the city of Cairo and explore the amazing historical sites like the pyramids and the city of Luxor. 

Later, I had the chance to visit other countries in the Middle East. In Jordan, I had a chance to trek through Petra and Wadi Rum. In Tunisia, I visited the ancient city of Carthage outside Tunis. 

It was clear that there’s something to see or experience in the region for every type of traveller. 

But the best part of travelling there, I found, was the hospitality. Everybody I encountered was more than welcoming. 

One of my friends started travelling only after studying Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and had no knowledge of any of the dialects (I learned Egyptian Arabic first).

But she found that even knowing some MSA went a long way for communicating with locals, reading signs, and deciphering menus. 

If you do decide to travel to the Middle East, then knowing some Arabic beforehand can help you make your travel experience unforgettable. 

4. Arabic Can Help In Learning The History Of The Middle East

As mentioned already, Arabic is most commonly spoken in the Middle East and North Africa region. But it’s also the main language for many other civilisations in the past. 

All the history buffs I’ve spoken with have been quick to note Arabic’s hand in shaping history.

Since Arabic plays an important role in Islam, it’s no wonder that there are tons of historical records from civilisations like the Umayyad caliphate and the Ottoman empire in Arabic. 

Because the region is one of the most historically consequential places on earth, learning Arabic will help you better connect with these histories and understand its hand in shaping the world we live in today. 

5. Become A Better Mathematician And Scientist

This reason is for all of the math and science geeks out there! A mate of mine who studied maths at uni told me that words like “algebra” and “algorithm” originally come from Arabic. 

That’s because the Arabic language has played a vital role in the development of mathematics and various scientific fields that shape the way our world works today. 

This friend also explained that the number system we use today are called Arabic numerals because of the role medieval Islamic civilisations have had in spreading their use around the world. 

Learning Arabic and its connection with the history of mathematics and science might help you become a better mathematician or scientist. And even if it doesn’t, it’s sure to help you in becoming a better conversation starter at the dinner table! 

6. Expose Yourself To Rich Arabic Literature And Arts

Learning Arabic can help you unlock the keys to a rich and diverse culture directly, without having to rely on translations. 

With a better knowledge of Arabic, you can learn to better appreciate Arabic songs by legendary singers like Fairuz and Oum Kulsum.

Or you can expose yourself to the literature and poetry of influential writers and poets like Naguib Mahfouz, Mahmoud Darwish and Halil Cibran. 

Perhaps over time, you can also attempt learning Arabic by reading short stories from compilations like “One Thousand and One Nights” ( Alf Layla wa-Layla / أبف ليلة و ليلة). After all, learning languages through stories is one of the best methods for becoming fluent!

7. Arabic Cuisine Is Delicious! 

If you’re a foodie then you’ll be pleased to know that the food from the Arabic-speaking world is nothing short of delicious. Full stop. 

Obviously, there’s the Arabic foods that have become popular household names over the years like hummus (حمص), falafel (فلافل), and baklava (بقلاوة). 

But every time I’ve gone to a new restaurant that features food from the region, I’ve always been delightfully surprised by the foods I sampled, like tajine (تجين), maqluba (مقلوبة), kebbeh (كبّة), and kushari (كشري). 

And if you’re even more adventurous, then perhaps you can even try making these foods by following YouTube cooking channels in Arabic. Plus, it’ll help with the listening comprehension practice!

8. Arabic Is Linked To Many Other Languages

Because Arabic has had a large role in history, its traces are in many other languages, making it the perfect gateway for learning Turkish and more. 

Languages like Persian, Kurdish, Urdu, and even Hindi also use lots of words that are originally from Arabic, while other languages like Hebrew share lots of the same grammar as Arabic. 

For example, the word for “book” in Arabic is the same in Turkish and Persian: kitaab (كتاب), with just a few differences in pronunciation. 

A lot of the vocabulary used in daily life in countries like Turkey and Iran come from Arabic roots. So you may find that it’s easy to transition into learning other languages in the Middle East and North Africa region. 

9. Arabic Film And Television Are Fun To Watch

Who would have thought that being a couch potato and binge-watching TV series or a movie could be a great way of learning a new language! 

I got lucky with Arabic when I started learning it because I stumbled on lots of great Arabic TV series and movies that I could watch for listening comprehension practice. 

The best part of learning Arabic through TV series or movies is that there is constantly new material you can watch so you’ll never be bored.

You can always count on a new series in Arabic that you can watch during the month of Ramadan. Last Ramadan, I ended up binge-watching Seroh Al Bateaa (سره الباتع).

There are also lots of award-winning Arabic films that provide great social commentary about ongoing trends and topics in the Middle East. 

So next weekend, sit back, relax, and enjoy the musalsal (series)/مسلسل!

10. Great Economic And Business Opportunities

Oil. Textiles. Olives. Tech services. Cotton. Guess what they all have in common? Well, they’re all produced in significant quantities across many Arabic-speaking countries!

Many Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa are major economic powerhouses, and some cities like Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Cairo are huge hubs for business. 

In addition, with a wealth of natural resources, many Arabic-speaking countries have been attracting tons of foreign investment and have amazing economic prospects in the future for growth.

Knowing Arabic can help you get ahead in today’s economy and help you grow your business, which brings me to another related reason to learn Arabic. 

11. Arabic Can Help You Get Ahead In Your Career

You’ve probably met tons of people who have been interested in learning more classic languages like French or Spanish, and rarely met people who’ve been interested in learning Arabic.  

It’s precisely because Arabic is not a typical go-to language to learn that when you get to the point of applying for jobs, you’ll probably stand out from a crowd of job applicants and get ahead in your career! 

Learning Arabic can help you advance your career in directions that might not otherwise be available.

There’s plenty of opportunities to use Arabic whether you land a job in a multinational corporation, pursue a career in research, decide to become an archaeologist, or more! 

12. Boost Your Memory And Keep Your Brain In Shape

Beyond the benefits of learning Arabic itself, learning languages on its own can help you boost your memory and brain functions. 

The brain is just another muscle in your body, which means that like other muscles you use for running on a treadmill or swimming laps, you need to use it regularly to keep it in tip-top shape. 

That’s why learning a language can be a great way to keep your brain active, especially as you get older. 

By learning a new language like Arabic, you’ll be helping your brain get better at learning and remembering new things. Just think of learning Arabic as the same as doing push-ups, only that they’re for your brain! 

So every time you sift through some Arabic flash cards or do some grammar exercises, you’re boosting your brain’s memory and functions. 

13. Learning A New Language Broadens Your Perspective Of The World

Learning Arabic doesn’t just take place in the classroom. Once I started learning Arabic, there were so many more things I was able to learn about life and the world we live in, and it shifted my worldview in many ways. 

For instance, once I started practicing Arabic by watching news on channels like Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, I realised that one news event might be understood in completely different ways. 

Considering that the Middle East and North Africa is a region that has often been misunderstood by other parts of the world, learning Arabic can help you be a part of the solution to overcome misunderstandings and become a bridge between cultures. 

14. Learning Arabic Is A Lot Of Fun 

Last, but not least, learning Arabic is enjoyable and rewarding, even if it's challenging!

You could say that the difference between learning Arabic and learning a language like Spanish or French is comparable to the difference between doing a 5,000-piece and a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle.

While one might take a lot more time to finish than the other, they’re both still a lot of fun! 

Here’s a quick preview of one of the fun things about learning Arabic.

One of the main features of Arabic is its root system, where every word can be traced to three or four root consonant letters that are all associated with one idea.

Over time, you learn to recognize patterns to words which embed meaning to these root consonants.

For example, the root d-r-s /د-ر-س carries the meaning “to study” or “learn”. You can form words using this root by inserting them into different patterns that embed different but related meanings.

So for instance, madrasa / مدرسة means “school”, while darrasa / درّس means “to teach”. 

Pretty cool, right? Features like the root system makes Arabic a very logical language, and a lot of fun for people with a passion and interest in learning languages. 

Why Learn Arabic? For Its Many Advantages! 

So in summary, why learn Arabic? Perhaps the reason is simple – that it’s a fun and great way to expand your brainpower and your understanding of the world! 

While there are tons of reasons why you should learn Arabic, including perhaps some of the reasons I’ve shared in this blog, you know yourself better than me.

So at the end of the day it’s up to you to find your own personal answer the question: why learn Arabic?

Of course, Arabic is no piece of cake and you’ll likely experience some hurdles while learning it. But don’t let that demotivate you!

You can learn Arabic and have fun while doing it by following the rules of Storylearning and reading short stories in Arabic .

And if you need some more support and want to learn Arabic through story, then you can join my beginner course, Arabic Uncovered .

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AAEE – Automated evaluation of students’ essays in Arabic language

2019, Information Processing and Management

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Procedia Computer Science

IEEE Intelligent Systems and their Applications

Lynette Hirschman

Jill Burstein

david Mudou

The ability to communicate in natural language has long been considered a defining characteristic of human intelligence. Furthermore, we hold our ability to express ideas in writing as a pinnacle of this uniquely human language facility-it defies formulaic or algorithmic specification. So it comes as no surprise that attempts to devise computer programs that evaluate writing are often met with resounding skepticism. Nevertheless, automated writing-evaluation systems might provide precisely the platforms we need to elucidate many of the features that characterize good and bad writing, and many of the linguistic, cognitive, and other skills that underlie the human capacity for both reading and writing. Using computers to increase our understanding of the textual features and cognitive skills involved in creating and comprehending written text will have clear benefits. It will help us develop more effective instructional materials for improving reading, writing, and other human communication abilities. It will also help us develop more effective technologies , such as search engines and question-answering systems, for providing universal access to electronic information. A sketch of the brief history of automated writing-evaluation research and its future directions might lend some credence to this argument.

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Yin Ling Cheung

Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities

Nung Kion Lee

Automated Essay Scoring (AES) is a service or software that can predictively grade essay based on a pre-trained computational model. It has gained a lot of research interest in educational institutions as it expedites the process and reduces the effort of human raters in grading the essays as close to humans' decisions. Despite the strong appeal, its implementation varies widely according to researchers' preferences. This critical review examines various AES development milestones specifically on different methodologies and attributes used in deriving essay scores. To generalize existing AES systems according to their constructs, we attempted to fit all of them into three frameworks which are content similarity, machine learning and hybrid. In addition, we presented and compared various common evaluation metrics in measuring the efficiency of AES and proposed Quadratic Weighted Kappa (QWK) as standard evaluation metric since it corrects the agreement purely by chance when estimate the degree of agreement between two raters. In conclusion, the paper proposes hybrid framework standard as the potential upcoming AES framework as it capable to aggregate both style and content to predict essay grades Thus, the main objective of this study is to discuss various critical issues pertaining to the current development of AES which yielded our recommendations on the future AES development.

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Essays are one of the most important method for assessing learning and intelligence of a student. Manual essay grading is a time consuming process for the evaluator, a solution to such problem is to make evaluation through computers. Many systems were proposed over past few decades. Each system works on different approach having focus on different attributes. Aim of this paper is to understand and analyze current essay grading systems and compare them primarily focusing on technique used, performance and focused attributes.

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6 Resources Every IB Arabic B Student Needs To Use

IB Arabic Language B may be challenging because the use of classical Arabic language in our day to day life is uncommon. Coming from a non-native speaker herself, it is definitely not impossible to do well in because the key to proficiency in language is practice and application. I have learnt classical Arabic for 11 years now, and it has been a roller coaster of experience but if I can do well in it so can you!

Here are some resources and tips that I found useful in my IB Arabic learning journey you can use to improve your grammar and vocabularies so that you may use them in your essay writings and improve your Arabic skills:

1. Mawdoo3.com

Mawdoo3.com is a comprehensive online Arabic content publisher that covers various topics that may be useful in essay writings. When used effectively, this tool can expand your vocabulary and prevent you from running out of ideas in your essay writings.

Tip: For IB Arabic B students, before your Paper 1, make a mind map of all the ideas and vocabulary words that cover the 6 IB themes because the topics of the essay questions will be 3 of the 6 themes.

2. Cooljugator.com/AR , Acon.baykal.be , and Qutrub.Arabeyes.org

These three are useful, easy-to-use conjugator websites that ease the process of essay writings. I used a conjugator table so much when I was in my first 6 years of studying Arabic that it became muscle memory to recall the rules. Now, I do not need to put in much effort in remembering and applying conjugation in my sentences.

Tip: memorising the conjugators in a form of a table is convenient to remember!

3. Reverso.net 

Reverso.net is a good translator app and website that provides different translations according to different contexts so that you do not use the wrong word for your respective situations. From personal experience, when I am trying to find the meaning of a word, Google Translate is not the best resource, as it may give the wrong definition in the wrong context which is a big no-no! Alternatively, Reverso gives you the words in sentences that may fit best with what you are looking for.

4. Almaany 

Almaany provides services for synonyms, antonym, translation for the Arabic language from various languages, (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Persian, Indonesian and German) translation to English from various language (Dutch, Korean, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Indian) and even translation for Quranic words (since not all Quranic words can be directly translated without thorough study from Islamic scholars).

Tip: Using the synonym service is a great way to avoid repetitive words in your essay.

3safeer.com is an interactive website and app that compiles stories for different age groups to boost grammar and vocabulary. It is similar to an audiobook so it also helps improve Arabic enunciation.

6. BONUS: Arabic Podcast: Arabic in 60 steps podcast. 

On this podcast, you’ll find Arabic lessons of all lengths!  It’s best suited for those that want to brush up on the Arabic foundation.

Overall, do not be afraid to keep writing and to make mistakes. Ask someone knowledgeable to identify grammar or spelling mistakes so that you can learn from them. Through mistakes, you are able to grow and find the excitement in this beautiful language! 

You may also like …

• Zina Ahn’s Tips for Language B SL
• Avril Hernandez’s 4 essential Biology Resources That will save you!
• Estefy Vegas’s Tips for Philosophy SL

Share this:

Do you have a textbook in school for Arabic B? Which publisher was it from?

hey Anthony! As we are from an Islamic school, we used our school’s Arabic textbook to study :> I’m not sure if there’s a textbook for Arabic B. We usually go through the 5 IB themes & text types

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