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 Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages |  | |
| coin2213 Newbie Burkina Faso Joined 5449 days ago 5 posts - 20 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Spanish | Message 49 of 49 28 November 2011 at 4:04pm | IP Logged |
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Ardaschir wrote:
"When I lived in Korea I learned only standard Korean and no one wanted or expected me to learn to speak like a provincial. When I lived in Berlin I spoke only standard German and no one wanted or expected me to speak like those who had been born in that city. Why should it be different with Arabic? I feel that Arabic is one of the most important cultural vehicles in all of human history, and that the use of dialects rather than the standard form actively endangers it. I feel that educated Arabs should speak the standard form and not their local dialect, and most of my conversations with new acquaintances begin with my trying to convince them of this. They generally concede that I am right in theory, but..." The problem with this argument of speaking standard Arabic is that you can't equate it as to speaking English, Korean, or German in a standard form,that is, grammatically correct. MSA is a language that was spoken over 1500 years ago (in Northern and central Arabia) and has been preserved in written form since. But when the Muslim conquest began,headed by Arab commanders and generals, the language eventually amalgamated with the indigenous languages of Syria and Lebanon(Aramaic and Syriac),Iraq(Aramaic),Southern Arabia, Egypt(Coptic and Greek), and North Africa(generally known to be Berber) forming a hybrid Arabic (colloquial). The teaching of MSA first as propagated in the West (established by academia) is based on the grammar/translation method in which the reading of classical text was emphasized and not listening comprehension and speaking. Today Arabic is taught in the opposite way in which a native speaker learns it: Colloquial first then MSA in school as foreign language. For general use of Arabic learn MSA (media,reading,and conversation with people who have a command of MSA) and to converse with everyday people (i.e., in the streets of Arabic speaking countries) learn a colloquial. What good is a language if a person can make him/herself understood and can't understand what is said in return? That defeats the purpose of communication. So their isn't really a standard form of spoken Arabic as a standard form of spoken English, German, and Korean in which you can make yourself understood and understand. Recommended materials for Arabic self-study. Egyptian Materials: 1.Spoken Egyptian Arabic(1961) by Linguaphone: 30 lessons with audio and two books -- one in Arabic script and the other transliteration and translation(no notes on grammar). 2.Introduction to Egyptian Arabic (1975) by Ernest T. Abdel-Massih: 19 lessons plus 25 texts and 100 proverbs all with accompanying audio. This is probably the most complete course for self-study for Egyptian colloquial dialect in English available to the public. Note: The book is an introduction to a four volume set. Levantine (Syria,Jordan,Palestine, and Lebanon) Materials: 1.Eastern Arabic(1979) by Frank Rice: audio(English prompts with one Arabic speaker only) and book (transliteration and translation). 2.A Course in Levantine Arabic(1978) by Ernest T. Abdel-Massih: 30 lessons with audio plus book(transliteration and translation). The tapes have to be purchased from the University of Michigan. 3.Defense Language Institute Syrian Arabic course(1983): 12 Modules with audio and books MSA Materials: 1.Arabic Complete Course(1977) by Linguaphone: 30 lessons audio plus books (Alphabet,Arabic text, Grammar and Notes,and Transliteration and Translation)-- The 1970's is the same one being sold today by Linguaphone. 2.Assimil L'arabe Sans Peine (1975): 100 lessons audio plus 2 volumes(volume has only been produced in French)Many people have complained about the slow audio of volume one but the audio from lessons 42-100 is close to "normal".Compared to the new 77 lesson course which is slow throughout. 3.Arabic Between your Hands(2005) by Abdulrahman Bin Ibrahim Al-Fawzan: audio plus 3 books(all in Arabic script) 4.A New Arabic Grammar of the Written Language (1965) by J.A. Haywood -- Updated version of G.W. Thatcher's Grammar. 5.A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic (1976) 6.An Arabic Reader (1963) by A. Yellin: audio plus book(no translation all vocalized Arabic script) 7.Tales from Kalila Wa Dimna by Younes: audio plus book Edited by coin2213 on 29 November 2011 at 5:06pm 1 person has voted this message useful |
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