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Essorant
Member Elite

since 2002-08-10

Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

0 posted 2011-04-08 11:56 AM

This A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic by Karin C. Ryding, is a great book and probably the best answer for anyone serious about learning Arabic. After being disappointed by two beginner books because they lacked so much information and good organization of information, it was a pleasure to find this book.

It is not a light book being over 700 pages long, but unlike many other reference-grammars it is very reader-friendly and avoids difficult terminology. It has the quantity of a reference grammar and the quality of a book written for someone not very familiar with Arabic grammar. It also includes transliteration and translation for all examples in Arabic throughout the whole book, which I found very helpful for making sure I was interpreting the pronunciation and meanings of words or phrases correctly.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

1 posted 2011-04-08 03:06 PM

Ess? You're a trip.

A nice one, though.

I'm still trying to learn Biblical Hebrew, but I'm wondering what prompted you to want to learn Arabic? I'm kind of hoping you can educate me further, by telling me how closely related the language is to Aramaic? (if it is related at all...)

Essorant
Member Elite

since 2002-08-10

Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

2 posted 2011-04-11 02:05 AM

Serenity

Thanks

I just looked and learned a bit and kept wishing to learn more, as I found out how unique and rich the Arabic language is. Now I have read three Arabic grammars, and this one is the biggest and the best.

quote:
I'm kind of hoping you can educate me further, by telling me how closely related the language is to Aramaic? (if it is related at all...)

They are related to each other, both being semitic. Not sure exactly how close they are though. Perhaps something like English and Norse?

[This message has been edited by Essorant (04-11-2011 03:36 PM).]

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

3 posted 2011-04-11 05:15 AM

Perhaps I'll just stick to cussin' in the language I know.

Essorant
Member Elite

since 2002-08-10

Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

4 posted 2011-04-11 05:45 PM

I don't think The Qur'an (or the Bible) will ever be found recited this beautifully in English:

Surah Al Qiyamah (The Resurrection) By Hasan bin Abdullah Al Awadh (a fourteen year old boy from Saudi Arabia)

Surah Yunus (Jonah): Verses 31-36, by Mishary Alafasy

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

5 posted 2011-04-12 01:11 AM

I really wish public schools would have offered Latin.

I've heard that Latin gives a fundamental bridge to learning other languages.

Do you think that is so? So many works I've longed to read in the original...

Do you think it's too late for me, Ess?

*frown*

(Please say it's not too late.)

I've been depressed lately, thinking that maybe my brain is now hard-wired for ignorance...

sad karen...

Essorant
Member Elite

since 2002-08-10

Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

6 posted 2011-04-12 03:13 PM

quote:
I've heard that Latin gives a fundamental bridge to learning other languages.

Do you think that is so? So many works I've longed to read in the original...

Indeed, to some extent. But many languages don't have the kinds of complexities that Latin has, so learning Latin can also mean learning a lot of extra "baggage"! For example, Arabic only has two grammatical tenses (past and present), two genders (masculine and feminine), and three cases for nouns (nominative, accusative, genitive equivelent to subject, object and possessive) but Latin has six grammatical tenses (present, future, imperfect, perfect, pluperfect, future perfect) three genders (masculine, feminine and neuter) and five or six cases for nouns (nominative, accusative, genitive, ablative, vocative, and a "locative" for some nouns). Arabic is much simpler in these things for the most part. But it is also part of a different language family so it has many unique things that aren't found in Latin; a very different alphabet that reads from right to left instead of from left to right, completely different vocabulary, sun letters and moon letters, nunnation, ta marbuta, idaafa, "hollow" verbs, etc. its own special grammatical "baggage"

quote:
Do you think it's too late for me, Ess?

As long as you have life and willpower, it is never too late!

quote:
I've been depressed lately, thinking that maybe my brain is now hard-wired for ignorance...

That is not a good idea. Why be depressed about things you don't know, when you can be impressed with the things you do and can know?

[This message has been edited by Essorant (04-13-2011 02:41 AM).]

Essorant
Member Elite

since 2002-08-10

Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

7 posted 2011-04-13 02:15 PM

Although the Arabic word for "humanity" sounds very similar to Latin insania "insanity"

= insaniya

Connections?

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

8 posted 2011-04-13 05:35 PM

I always try to read it like shorthand.

That Gregg method really sticks with ya.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

9 posted 2011-04-13 05:39 PM

Oh...and? What I enjoyed about the Hebrew was not only the numerical values, but each letter had a meaning--like Daleth meant door, and the character rather resembled a sort of stonehenge-type doorway.

So yes, I was captivated by it immediately.

Now Arabaic? I just don't know if it could grab me, but I did enjoy your example.

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