Arabic is the language of the Qur’an. Spoken by people from Egypt, North Africa, Iraq, Syria, and Arabia, this language belongs to the Semitic group [like Hebrew]. It seems to be complex and unique compared to European languages.
Arabic is a consonant based language [absence of written vowels beyond 12th grade in general].
Its structure is fairly easy to understand.
At the heart of Arabic is the three consonants basic root of the verb called Form I, from which all possible verb forms II to X are derived. These forms are obtained by adding prefixes or inserting a consonant [s] to create a shade of meanings. Then each of these forms of verbs expands both vertically and horizontally to provides a rich set of words most of which are predictable.
Horizontal expansion: I- KTB (Form I)= he wrote; II- KTTB (Form II) = he made him write; TKaaTB (Form VI) = he corresponded.
Vertical expansion: Kaatb (a writer); MKTuuB (written); KTaaB (a book). Refer to appendix of Arabic for Beginners.
There are two main types of written Arabic
Classical Arabic - the language of the Qur'an and classical literature.
All Muslims are expected to recite the Qur'an in the original language; however, many rely on translations in order to understand the text.
Modern Standard Arabic - the universal language of the Arabic-speaking world which is understood by all Arabic speakers i.e., Newspapers, business, formal TV shows, lectures.
Language and culture
Language is important in Arab culture because it refers to and combines sayings of the prophet, poetry, verses of the Holy Qur’an, proverbs and famous writings.
Thus, the speaker’s ability to quickly and skillfully combine these forms of speech show the intellectual level. The capacity of the person to convey a crafted message without raising the suspicion of others is an indication of their sophistication [refer to Qays: Amir/Ka’s understood only by the intended girl upon time of delivery]
The use of witticisms, sayings, fables, and allegories( as a filter of high importance for preventing shame, and consequently, for evading frictions and conflict.)
The student who does not speak this way should at least try to see how these forms of speech influence the debate.
Finding the clues is very challenging. For example: Instead of saying “your ancestors’ background is irrelevant, now”, you hear a poet’s line “ laa taqul aslii wa faslii…inamaa aslu alfataa maa qad Hasal = No need to mention you ascent and descent because accomplishments will show if the gentleman is fit. In Plain English it means: “It’s you I’m assessing, stupid!. This quote is puzzling to someone who is outside the Arab culture or for a non educated.
Form I Verb Derivations Tree
Derivations Form I: II-X Shades of meanings
Form I Basic meaning of verb i.e., he wrote [kataba]
Form II causative i.e., he wrote under force [kattaba]
Form III attemptive /Associative i.e., he traveled [saafara]
Form IV causative i.e., he completed [Akmala]
Form V related to II i.e., he improved [taHassana]
Form VI reciprocity/related to III i.e., they corresponded [takaataba]
Form VII reflexive/passive/intransitive i.e., he left [Insarafa]
Form VIII Reflexive i.e., he elected [intakhaba]
Form IX from adjectives he became red [IHmarra]
Form X causative/reflexive i.e., he welcomed [Istaqbala]
Arabic script
Origin
The Arabic script evolved from the Nabataean Aramaic script. It has been used since the 4th century AD, but the earliest document, an inscription in Arabic, Syriac and Greek, dates from 512 AD.
The Aramaic language has fewer consonants than Arabic, so during the 7th century new Arabic letters were created by adding dots to existing letters in order to avoid ambiguities.
Further diacritics indicating short vowels were introduced, but are only generally used to ensure the Qur'an was read aloud without mistakes.
Calligraphy
Calligraphy by artist Ouida 4 postcards summarizing Fatima Mernissi's Erasmus Prize speech, 4 November 2004
Adab or Allying with the Stranger as the Strategy to Win the Globalized Planet
Calligraphy
Calligraphy by artist Ouida 4 postcards summarizing Fatima Mernissi's Erasmus Prize speech, 4 November 2004
Adab or Allying with the Stranger as the Strategy to Win the Globalized Planet
“ Al-Adab” means adding the brains of others to your own. Jahiz: "Life on Earth and Beyond"
“Every man is a hostage of his own deeds” Koran, Sura at-Tur (The Mount) 52:21 Believers, honor your contracts. Koran, Sura al-Maida (The Table) 5:1
Transform yourself into a stranger! Travel! It is the only way to renew yourself. From a poem by Abu Tammam
