The Arabic language

Arabic is a Semitic language related to Hebrew and Aramaic language. It is written from right to left, taking the form of a letter which always depends on the place of the word.

Arabic is the sixth world language. While written Arabic throughout the Arab world is the same everywhere. There are regional differences in spoken Arabic, “dialects”, that often cross national frontiers. It is not only a difference between the spoken language of a Syrian and a Saudi, but also between the Arabic of the average resident of Damascus and a Bedouin from the region of Deir ez-Zor (both in Syria).

The writing, ‘classic’ or ‘standard’ Arabic, has a certain status, because it stems from the language of the Koran and for being the cultural affinity between all Arabs underlined. Read a text such as news, was never in dialect. For Arabic speakers, the language is difficult to learn. Illiteracy in the Arab countries is therefore more difficult to overcome: to read and write should not only learn an alphabet, but also an artificial language with a complex grammar.

Before the Arabic with the Islamic conquests was introduced, Aramaic was the common language of the Middle East. Therefore, this language has traces in both, Arabic and Hebrew languages. (more…)