|
The Arabic Language
The Official Arabic Language
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the official Arabic language throughout the Arab world, used for official purposes, education, and communication. Written Arabic is generally standard within the Arab world, but spoken Arabic language varies widely as each Arab country speaks its own dialects.
The Arabic language is a Semitic language, originating around modern Syria, making its way down the Arabian peninsula. Spoken by more than 200 million people worldwide, the Arabic language, is the 6th major language of the world, and one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
The Arabic language is the official language of Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, and Yemen.
Arabic Writing
Arabic is the language of the Qur'an, the holy writings of Muslims throughout the world. Muslims believe this to be the Arabic language in its purest form, described as "the Clear Arabic Book". Arabic script is highly decorative and has been used for this purpose throughout the Islamic world in mosques and other buildings.
The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters, and is written from right to the left. The Arabic language has a vast abundance of words, which enables the language to reach a level of precision, which not many other Latin languages can match.
The Roots and Patterns System in the Arabic Language
The Roots and Patterns System in the Arabic LanguageIntroduction to the roots and patterns of the Arabic language
The structure of Arabic grammar differs in many ways from that of European languages, and one of the most obvious features of the language is that words in Arabic are built on `roots`, or recurring patterns. At the heart of every word are a few component consonants generally three, but occasionally two or four which constitute the root of the word, or the essential meaning of the basic idea it represents. For instance the combination of the letters `k-t-b` conveys the idea of the verb `to write`. By adding vowels, or affixes to the root, it is possible to derive a great many other words which have a closely associated meaning. Following the example, from `k-t-b` we may derive words such as kutub (`books`), katib (`writer`), maktub (`letter`), maktab (`office`), miktaab (`typewriter`), maktaba (`library`) and iktitaab (`registration`). As may be observed, all these words have within them the consonants k, t and b (and always in that order), this represents the semantic root of the words and the idea of `writing`, and all the derived words in some aspect are associated with this concept. As a further example, the consonants `s-l-m` convey the idea of `safety` or `submission`, from this are derived words such as islam (`submission/surrender`, muslim (`one who submits/surrenders`) and salaam (`peace`).
The effects of root patterns in Arabic
As we saw above, roots provide a template for word formation, representing some basic underlying idea. They can be used to form verbs, nouns or adjectives, and one of the great advantages of such a structure is that the meaning of words is often very clear, there will always be an indication within the structure of the word itself. This means it is often much easier for learners to `figure out` the meaning of a word in Arabic by looking at its basic root , rather than simply having to memorise words that do not have any obvious structural identification with the idea they represent. There are some words in English of course that may be said to have a common root, for instance the words `paint`, `painter` and `painting` all convey a concept which is obviously related.
The influence of roots and patterns on Arabic dictionaries
One of the difficulties learners may encounter when using an Arabic dictionary, is that words are not listed in simple alphabetical order as they are in European languages, but are ordered according to the traditional Arabic root system. In order to look up words, you must therefore be able to first identify the root which it appears to come under; using the earlier example, katib (`writer`) and maktab (`office`) would both be found under the verb kataba (`to write`). Once the learner has already mastered some grammar this is the most obviously logical way of looking up words in Arabic, but absolute beginners may find it difficult. There are however, many dictionaries available that list words in the alphabetical order employed in European languages and many websites available to help you with your Arabic Language Course.
Learn a language
Spanish Courses in Spain
| | | | |
© Copyright 2005-2008 You Learn Arabic | All Rights Reserved
|
|
