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Just started studying Arabic | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Language Learning Log |  | |
| mcjon77 Senior Member United States Joined 6603 days ago 193 posts - 248 votes  Speaks: English* Studies: Spanish, Arabic (Egyptian), French | Message 1 of 2 03 December 2007 at 12:22am | IP Logged |
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I am still studying Spanish, with a goal of basic fluency by July of 2008. However, the urge to try a new language is to great to resist. Initially, I had planned to study German. However, I realized that I really wasn't interested in learning German right now.
The language that kept calling me was Arabic. Since Pimsleur makes courses in the Levantine and Egyptian dialects, but not MSA, and my main goal is talking with people, I decided to learn a dialect first (plus the arabic script) and focus on reading MSA later. This lead to my next question, which dialect? Initially, the choice was made for me when I found a used copy of Eastern (Leventine) Arabic on Ebay for $38. I purchased several other books on the dialect, and was planing buying Pimsleur's Eastern Arabic II as well, perhaps even waiting until November os 2008 to start studying since Eastern Arabic III will be released by then. However, this leads to a few problems. Levantine Arabic is spoken primarily in Lebannon, Jordan, Palistine, and Syria. Since I always travel to places where the language I am learning is spoken, I would need to pick one of these places. Lebannon and Palistine are both out due to the violence. Syria is probably out due to the fact that I may need a security clearance in a few years and I don't want to have to explain why I was visiting one of the "Axis of Evil". Is it even legal for Americans to visit Syria now? That leaves Jordan. A nice, friendly country. However, other than that amazing castle dug into the side of a mountian that was featured in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" there isn't much of anything I really want to see there. Also, one of my favorite methods of language study is using movies in the original language. The problem with Levantine Arabic is that while there are some movies in the language, it just isn't enough. For example I counted about 8 movies and documentaries in Levantine Arabic availible on Amazon. In comparison, I own 60 French films and almost 40 Spanish movies. I own 14 movies each in German, Korean, and Thai, and I am not even studying those languages. To top it off, virtually all the movies in Levantine Arabic are about the Israeli occupation of Palistine. That topic is just a little bit too depressing to watch movie after movie on. Recently, I obtained a copy of Pimsleur's Egyptian Arabic for free. I have decided to study Egyptian Arabic instead of Levantine Arabic for the following reasons: 1)Egyptian Arabic is the most widely understood dialect of Arabic 2)There are much better learning tools for Egyptian Arabic than Levantine (other than Pimsleur). 3)There are TONS of movies in Egyptian Arabic. I think I counted 20+ so far. 4)I can actually go to Egypt and practice. I have always wanted to go to Egypt anyway. The two biggest downsides of studying Egyptian Arabic instead of Levantine is that I have already purchased several texts for Levantine Arabic and there seem to be a higher number of Levantine Arabic speakers in Chicago (where I live). There are tons of Palistinian, and Lebonnese restaurants here, but I have only found one Egyptian restaurant (there are probably more). Then again, one is all I really need. I'll keep this journal updated with my progress. I hope to visit Cairo this spring. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| ic32987 Groupie United States Joined 6332 days ago 50 posts - 54 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Arabic (Written) | Message 2 of 2 20 January 2008 at 3:15pm | IP Logged |
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How is it going?
I am also studying Arabic (MSA, and a slight bit of Levantine). While my progress has been terrible for the past two years, I am hoping to get the Critical Language Scholarship and head to Jordan this Summer. As far as Egyptian vs. the Levant...It's a difficult choice in a few respects. You have great resources available for Egyptian, tons of movies and music, and the fact that many will understand the accent. On the other hand, there are fewer resources available for Levantine, although there are plenty of radio programs to listen to, and it shares the distinction of being intelligible to most other Arabic speakers. Personally, I will always be more interest in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan than Egypt, and I happen to like the way the Lebanese speak. On the other hand...if I weren't studying MSA as well, I may have sided with you on Egyptian. Anyway, may I ask your progress in the past month or so? I'm also interested in the programs you've purchased for Levantine. I currently know of a few titles, including Georgetown stuff, the SyrianArabic website, and Pimsleur. 1 person has voted this message useful |
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