ARABIC DIALECTS

There are many nations in the Arab world, each of which has a long history. There are more than 25 different Arabic dialects as a result.So the question which Arabic dialect should I learned is very hard to answer.

The diversity of Arabic dialects and how they interact with classical Arabic is one of the fascinating and complex aspects of the language, but it is also a source of ongoing irritation for students learning Arabic as a second language.

To sound like a native speaker, you must learn the richness of phrases, expressions, proverbs, and slang that are unique to each Arabic dialect. That is not the aim of this.

We pondered the following before selecting to study a dialect:

• 1. What Arabic dialects exist and how are they different from Modern Standard Arabic?
• 2. the differences between the many dialects of Arabic out there;
• 3. how to choose the right dialect for you;
• 4. which professional applications do different Arabic dialects have;
• 5. how to learn different dialects of Arabic online;
• 6. Should we (or anyone) learn Modern Standard Arabic?

Along with all these points:

BEGINNERS MUST KNOW

• 1. The easy dialect
• 2- The widely used dialect
• 3- The hard dialect
• 4. The default dialect

1. What Arabic dialects exist and how are they different from Modern Standard Arabic?

It’s helpful to have a general understanding of the characteristics that distinguish the colloquial Arabic dialects from MSA before diving into specific guides. The remainder of this article will discuss a few general alterations that affect almost all dialects in some manner.

In order to do that, we must first solve diglossia, which is a major issue.

WHAT DIGLOSSIA IS?

What exactly does “diglossia” mean?

When describing the link between Modern Standard Arabic and the numerous dialects, the word “diglossia” is frequently used. Beginning Arabic learners often struggle with issues like “Should I learn MSA or a dialect?” “Which dialect should I learn if I do learn one?” and “How difficult is it to go from MSA to a dialect if I learn both?”

The term “diglossia” suggests that Arabic is somehow divided into two languages while in fact, it is a continuum. The formal, classical language with its intricate system of case endings (‘i’rab) and enormous vocabulary is at one extreme. The informal language used by speakers with limited education is at the other end of the spectrum.

Yet, claiming that a particular version of the language is a “pure” MSA or “pure” dialect is challenging. While the author’s native dialect can be heard in the language and sentence structures of literary works as well, it’s impossible to avoid using MSA terminology when talking about politics in a cafe.

But the language that people use on a daily basis falls somewhere in between. Politics discussion in a coffee shop? Getting through bureaucratic hoops at a government agency? In many situations, the vocabulary will substantially borrow from MSA, while the grammar and pronunciation will be dependent on the regional dialect.

As a result, if you are an Arabic learner who started with MSA, your objective should not be to immediately switch to speaking only dialect, but rather to gradually alter the balance to 90% MSA / 10% dialect, then 80% MSA / 20% dialect, and so on, until you begin speaking like a local.

2. the differences between the many dialects of Arabic out there

It’s crucial to understand that some Arabic dialects differ significantly from one another. You’ll undoubtedly hear a difference between American English and British English if you’re from the US. Some words and pronunciations differ.

But with a little background, Americans and Britons can communicate with one another. Among Arab speakers, that’s not always the case. A Lebanese and a Moroccan could not understand one another if they spoke in their own dialects.

3. how to choose the right dialect for you?

Your personal learning style will determine the answer to this question. Does this indicate why you are studying Arabic? For instance, if your goal is to study Arabic for work, it will be different from learning about tourism. Even the work itself has an impact on your choice. You should focus on learning several Arabic dialects if you’re a student. You will have other options if you study Arabic online, yet prefer to learn in person.

In summary, a wide range of factors influences your choice of dialect to learn. The availability of information, your learning objectives, and your method of learning all have the power to alter the outcome.

4. which professional applications do different Arabic dialects have?

Every dialect has a certain purpose and use. You cannot claim that one dialect is less significant than another. The explanation is that each dialect is useful and relevant in its own region.

In light of the fact that Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the language of offices, it is recommended that job searchers acquire MSA as an official language. But in order to feel comfortable talking in a society, the student must also continuously master the regional dialect.

5. how to learn different dialects of Arabic online?

If you’re attempting to study Arabic over the internet. The availability of Arabic online may have an impact on your choice because you may need to know which sites offer which dialect.

There are websites and tools for learning Arabic that is both free and paid. What you want to learn in Arabic writing and reading, or whether you want to be fluent in Arabic for professional purposes, should also be considered. This will determine how much and what you want to learn.

6. Should we (or anyone) learn Modern Standard Arabic?

Because of the numerous dialects, learning Arabic as a second language can be particularly difficult for beginners. As a result, a learner may believe that it is preferable to study MSA since it is official and understood by everyone.

If this is the case, this is correct thinking. No, you should not study MSA unless your line of work specifically needs it, you work in the media, academics, or politics, or you’re interested in learning for religious reasons. For instance, you will experience trouble if you move through a market, engage in conversation with a local, or need to ask a question a native.

WHICH ARABIC DIALECT SHOULD I LEARNED BEGINNERS MUST KNOW

• If you just want to speak Arabic you need to learn any local dialect.
• which dialect you should learn depends on the country you want to move in.

• A beginner should also know some very basic things like:
  • Which is the easy dialect:
    • the answer to this is Levantine and Gulf are easiest to learn. So as a beginner, it can help a lot.
  • Which is the widely used dialect:
    • Egyptian dialect is a widely used dialect. so learning it can help beginners in many countries.
  • Which is the hardest dialect:
    • Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian dialects are the hardest because it has a great influence on french. But if you are visiting these Arab countries then you have to learn it or if your job demands it.
  • Which is the default dialect:
    • MSA is the default dialect if you learn this it will help you to learn other dialects a lot.

MY VERDICT

This is the most efficient way to learn an Arabic dialect if you intend to do so and are prepared to put in the necessary time and effort to become proficient in the language.

If you want to master the Arabic language’s foundation, always start with Standard Arabic. Your main emphasis and focus should always be learning Standard Arabic, but you should also take the time to learn a few dialects.

Ideally, you should concentrate 70% on Standard Arabic and 30% on a dialect. You can discover the common words and some distinctions between them in this approach. You will be able to speak with Arabs in Modern Standard Arabic, comprehend their dialects, and fully appreciate the Arabic language and culture because Modern Standard Arabic will always be your stronger language.

Learning an Arabic dialect allows one to acquire the streamlined form of Modern Standard Arabic. Arabic grammar is challenging. I’ve seen that even native speakers sometimes make blunders with Standard Arabic. The dialects step in at that point; they’re simpler to use, simpler to understand, and can have simpler pronunciations.

Therefore, if you intend to learn an Arabic dialect, should you focus on learning Standard Arabic or merely a regional dialect? A native speaker will advise you to study a dialect only if you intend to travel to and reside in an Arabic-speaking nation for a little period of time.

Picking up a dialect is the best course of action if all you want to do is communicate with locals, inquire about rates, and move around. Also, learning a dialect is a quick way to enter the Arabic language if you don’t have the time to study Modern Standard Arabic.

After becoming familiar with a dialect, such as Egyptian Arabic, you can compare the words you acquire with Modern Standard Arabic as you study it. You’ll discover that most of the words continue to be pronounced similarly to Modern Standard Arabic.

Recommended Learning Resources:

There are many stories that have been translated into Arabic. The novels are actually all written in Standard Arabic. You can select the ones you are already acquainted with, which will enable you to infer the meaning of the sentences.

Seeing your favorite Hollywood films with Arabic subtitles is a fantastic alternative. You may simply locate subtitles for practically any well-known film and use them to hone your reading comprehension.

Start viewing Arabic news stations as your Standard Arabic gets better. In addition, it is simple to get excellent documentaries on virtually any subject that have been converted into Arabic.

You should always look to your Arab friends as your primary source for materials that can teach you dialects.

And songs are a great substitute if you can’t find any Arab buddies nearby. Arabic has thousands of songs, and practically all of them are sung in different dialects! One of the best things about learning Arabic is being able to sing along and comprehend the lovely lyrics of Arabic songs, which you can do by listening to them online and finding the words.

Also, there are a lot of Arabic regional films, particularly Egyptian films, and dramas.

How potent are these educational tools?

Without ever having visited Egypt, I have acquaintances who can speak Egyptian Arabic with ease! They only ever watched dramas and films set in Egypt.

WHICH ARABIC DIALECT SHOULD I LEARNED FAQs:

1. What dialect of Arabic is most common?

Egyptian Arabic: With over 60 million speakers, Egyptian Arabic is the most extensively studied and spoken Arabic dialect. Italian, French, Greek, English, and Turkish were among the European languages that influenced Egyptian Arabic. Moreover, it is a dialect that is easily intelligible across the majority of Arab-speaking nations.

2. Which Arabic dialect should I learn to understand Quran?

The Arabic used for the Quran, the Islamic holy book, is known as Quranic Arabic. Classical Arabic is the other name for Quranic Arabic. The Quran was composed as early as the sixth century A.D., thus its language will differ slightly from that of the present.

3. What is the closest Arabic dialect to standard Arabic?

Gulf or Peninsular Arabic

Due to the fact that it includes fewer borrowed terms than other dialects, this variety of Arabic is thought to be the most similar to MSA. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen are countries where this dialect is widely spoken.

4. What is the most efficient way to learn Arabic?

The Immersion Approach is the quickest way to learn Arabic.

This entails spending a significant amount of time speaking the language and conversing with native speakers in an Arabic country, either online or in person.

5. What is the hardest thing about learning Arabic?

One of the most crucial and challenging aspects of learning Arabic is pronunciation. You can spend all the time in the world learning grammar, vocabulary, and how to read the script, but if no one can understand a word you say, what good is it? Many of the sounds in Arabic are unique to the Arabic language.

Arabic is a very vast language. It is spoken in many many countries. So there are more than 30 dialects. So it’s hard to understand all these dialects. But by making a list of dialects the process of learning becomes easy.

Here is a detailed list of all dialects along with countries where these are spoken.

1. MAGHREBI DIALECT

TYPES

• Moroccan Arabic {darija – الدرجة}
• Tuisian Arabic {derja – الدرجة / تونسي }
• Algerian Arabic { darja }
• Libyan Arabic {libi – ليبي }
• Hassaniya Arabic
• Saharan Arabic

COUNTRIES

• Morocco
• Algeria
• Tunisia
• Libiya
• Western Sahara
• Mauritania

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2. SUDANESE DIALECT

TYPES

• Sudanese Arabic {Sudani – سوداني }
• Chadian
• Juba Arabic {This pidgin language of South Sudan is influenced by a number of other local languages}

COUNTRIES

• Sudan
• Eritrea

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3. GYPTIAN DIALECT

TYPES

• Egyptian Arabic {masri – مصري }
• Sa’idi Arabic {saidi – صعيدي }

COUNTRIES

• Egypt
• North Africa

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4. ARABIAN PENINSULA DIALECT

TYPES

• Bahrani Arabic
• Bareqi Arabic
• Gulf Arabic {kaliji – خليجي }
• Najdi Arabic { najdi – نجدي }
• Omani Arabic { umani – عماني }
• Hejazi Arabic { hijazi – حجازي }
• Hadhrami Arabic { hadrami – حضرمي }
• Shihhi Arabic
• Dhofari Arabic
• Yemeni Arabic { yamni – يمني }
• Tihamiyya Arabic

COUNTRIES

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudia Arabia
• Yemen
• the United Arab Emirates
• Southern Iraq
• Tribal peple of jordan

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5. MESOPOTAMIAN DIALECT

TYPES

• Meso potamian Arabic
• North Mesopotamian Arabic { moslawi / Qeltu }

COUNTRIES

• Iraq
• Syria
• South-Eastern Turkey

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6. LEVANTINE DIALECT

TYPES

• Levantine Arabic { sami – شامي }
• Syrian Arabic
• Cypriot Arabic
• Lebanese Arabic { libneni – لبناني }
• Jordan Arabic {urduni – أرد ني }
• Palestinian Arabic {falastini – فلسطيني }
• Bedawi Arabic {badawi /bdiwi – بدوي }

COUNTRIES

• Israel
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Palestine
• Syria
• Turkey

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7. ANDALUSIAN DIALECT

• Andalusian Communities

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Are they Arabic dialects or languages?

Students frequently question whether Arabic dialects should be regarded as languages rather than dialects due to the stark distinctions between them.

We refer to the Arabic dialects as dialects because that is what the nations where they are spoken do. The cause is therefore somewhat political. Modern Standard Arabic is the “official” language of the majority of Arab-speaking nations. The media, international politics, and official statements all employ such terminology.

All other languages, excluding MSA, are not regarded as real languages, not even by native speakers. Even when we consistently violate these fictitious laws, our teachers and friends continue to tell us that it is simply slang or that there are no real regulations.

The absence of a widely used written form causes the Arabic local languages to frequently be referred to as dialects of Arabic. Like Egyptian Arabic, they do occur in writing, but considerably less frequently than MSA. Therefore, no authority is announcing, “Hey! spelling can vary depending on whether you’re in France or Israel, for example: “That’s not how you spell something!”

Locally used terms for spoken Egyptian Arabic include “accent” and “slang” (). Respectfully, the terms are synonyms for “dialect” and “colloquial,” but people tend to use them interchangeably.

LIST OF DIALECTS FAQs

1.How many Arabic dialects are there?

There are 30-32 modern types of Arabic dialects. These dialects of Arabic can be heard in locations hundreds or thousands of miles apart.

2. Is Iraqi Arabic different?

Iraqi Arabic is nearly unique among Arabic dialects in that it uses the letter “p” as in Peter and the letter “ch” as in chair (also used in Gulf Arabic). There are three major Iraqi dialects: Baghdadi and the surrounding area dialect, Basra dialect, and Mosul dialect, with Baghdadi being the most widely spoken and understood.

3. Is Farsi a dialect of Arabic?

Farsi is not only a separate language family from Arabic, but it is also a separate language group.

4. What is the most conservative Arabic dialect?

Yemenese Arabic

Yemeni Arabic refers to a group of Arabic dialects spoken in Yemen, southwestern Saudi Arabia, and the Horn of Africa. It is widely regarded as a very conservative dialect cluster, with many classical features not found in the majority of the Arabic-speaking world.

5. Which Arab countries don’t speak Arabic?

Israel, Turkey, and Iran are among the Middle Eastern countries that do not speak Arabic. Although Arabic is spoken in all three countries, it is not the first language of the people who live there. Jordan Boshers works as the Chief Digital Strategist at IstiZada, a digital agency that assists businesses in marketing to Arabs.

The Arabic language is a beautiful and complex language. It has the largest number of speakers in its family, with over 300 million people speaking it as their first or second tongue! 3 Major types of Arabic can give learners a bird eye view to comprehend Arabic in one look.

The great thing about Arabic is how much it has to offer. With an expansive vocabulary and gorgeous calligraphy, this language really packs a punch when you need something done fast or just want some inspiration from its rich history in terms of culture as well!

 It’s important too because not only are there more speakers than any other Semitic family member but their way old’ fashioned talking seemingly means everything on earth…

The Arabic language is a macro language with 30 modern varieties. Divided into three major groups, it’s just wise and practical for learners to learn these different languages so they can communicate more effectively in their respective regions or cultures

1. CLASSICAL OR QURANIC ARABIC
2. MODERN STANDER ARABIC
3. COLLOQUIAL ARABIC

CLASSICAL ARABIC

The Classical Arabic language is a type of speech that was use in the early days of Islam. It can be found in things like scripture and legal documents from this era when people were more formal than they are now.

Classical Arabic is the most studied type of spoken language in this day and age. It’s use for everything from religious texts to theology, history books – even Medicine!

It was the first spoken form to be develop into what we know today as modern-day dialects or “varying degrees”

When it comes to the first Arabic language, no one can deny that Classical Arabic still exists and will always be around. But in recent decades this form has become more restricted as religious institutions continue teaching their students about Islam using traditional methods which bars them from accessing other types of information or writing styles Media coverage etc…

MODERN STANDER ARABIC

Modern Standard Arabic or MSA for short is the stander form of language use in many aspects these days. For example, it can be found on TV shows and movies as well as translations from books to other languages – this means that you’re probably going hear somebody speak with an accent if they speak anything else but MSA must understand them!

MSA is not “modern” literally as it has evolved from medieval Arabic. However, this style of speaking does have its benefits; one major advantage is that there are no local dialects to confuse you with! If someone were learning MSA at school around the world (even if they’re studying in an English-speaking country), then all sentences would be consistent across cultures because everything spoken by those people would fall under just ‘merso saudit’ – or what we call Modern Standard Arabcription nowadays.

COLLOQUIAL ARABIC

Colloquial Arabic is the spoken language that differs from one area to another. This happens with many other languages as well, and it’s something common throughout the world for these types of Dialects because they each have their own unique expressions not found anywhere else but themselves;

this means there cannot be a strict grammar book written about them since people use certain rules depending upon where you’re coming from ( dialect ) which makes things more difficult when trying to understand someone who speaks differently then yourself even though we all know how important understanding culture communication goals through writing.

The differences in a dialect can be as vast and diverse as the landscape itself. There is no way to summarize these languages with just one word, but we will attempt it for those who want an idea of how many different types exist! Some examples: rural vs urban; formal or informal – there’s always something new waiting around every corner when you think about language variation (and that includes both forms/dialects AND languages).

WRITTEN VS SPOKEN ARABIC

Arabic has numerous dialects and varieties. On the other hand, the majority of written Arabic is in the standard register. This is frequently referred to as Literary Arabic, Standard Arabic, or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).

Most usually, a person will learn Modern Standard Arabic in school after having grown up speaking the type that is prevalent in their region of the world. Both will be extremely dissimilar.

Being able to think of things in this way is simple enough for a native English speaker to do.

Think about the differences between the English spoken today and the Old English you could hear in a Shakespearean play. Imagine if Old English were the only language use for formal writing, communication, and instruction. But in daily speech, everyone used their regional form of colloquial modern English.

It’s possible that you won’t be able to speak or understand Old English properly. Yet, you are able to understand the language well enough to grasp the overall concept.

The official form of Arabic is Modern Standard Arabic.

In the Arabic-speaking world, MSA is the language that is use for official documents, journalism, literature, and politics. Moreover, it is occasionally use in formal settings. It is based on classical Arabic, which was the literary language of the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties from the seventh through the ninth century.

Sadly, a number of Western media outlets all over the world have a practice of translating official Arabic publications’ rhetoric as if it were commonplace speech. Despite the fact that they are documents written in formal Modern Standard Arabic.

This is crucial. Because it is extremely improbable that the tone, rhetoric, diction, and even overall message of the text in formal MSA will correspond with the language that a person would typically use, independent of their location or accent.

If you were to communicate anything in Latin, you wouldn’t expect someone to translate it back into English and understand it exactly the same way. The concept is the same as elsewhere.

The major Arabic dialectal families” use theme fonts=”yes”]

Strictly speaking, Arabic is a “macrolanguage” with 30 different dialects. MSA is one of these, but it’s also quite unique. The vernacular regional dialects of the official language are the languages use in daily conversation throughout the Arabic-speaking globe.

Native Arabic speakers hardly ever use Modern Standard Arabic. The 29 regional dialects are thus still mostly missing from official written communication.

The dialects of nearby places can overlap significantly. Also, there is a higher chance that distinct Arabic dialects will be mutually understandable. If the locations they are employ in are close by.

3 MAJOR TYPES OF ARABIC FAQs:

1.What dialect of Arabic is the Quran?

Classical Arabic is the dialect of the Quran.

2. Why is Classical Arabic not spoken?

It lacks the expressive qualities required for everyday conversation.

3. Which country speaks the most proper Arabic?

Egypt

4. How many styles of Arabic are there?

The Arabic language is divided into three varieties:

1.Dialectal (Colloquial) Arabic

2. Modern Standard Arabic,

3. Classical Arabic