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 FSI Language Courses Forum : Learning Languages : Arabic
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Biscuit
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Quote Biscuit Replybullet Topic: Best Approach
    Posted: 20 October 2007 at 12:11am
With the materials provided on this site, what is the best way to approach this language?
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tehrahk
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Quote tehrahk Replybullet Posted: 21 November 2007 at 12:21pm

This is the method that I'm using.

1. Begin with the Saudi Arabic (Urban Hijazi Dialect) course.
2. Pick up a MSA dictionary/workbook and go through it simultanaeously.
3. For each word you learn in the FSI course find its equivalent in MSA and memorize both.
 
You might get confused between the two, however there are some things you can do to minimize confusion.
 
1. Study MSA and the Dialect in separate locations.
2. Use different color flash cards, markers or something color coated exclusively with each form.
3. Always remember one before the other. Relating the second one to the first one.
 
With these methods you will subconsciously separate them w/o realizing it. It works amazing for me. I haven't confused anything.
 
I've found this dialect amazingly similar to MSA. The only difference is the shortening of words. maa issmuki maa issmik 
 
I am studying MSA because I take the Arabic class at school, we are not speaking a dialect but MSA and I've heard that you may sound ridiculous speaking MSA so I'm studying this dialect via FSI.  


Edited by tehrahk - 21 November 2007 at 12:28pm
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rgugler
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Quote rgugler Replybullet Posted: 09 December 2007 at 4:00pm
I would like to start self study of arabic. Could you recommend a good MSA dictionary and workbook? I've been studying Spanish for years in school, and lack even basic fluency, so hopefully I can break through my language block with Arabic.

Any other hints or tips for setting up a self study program are greatly appreciated!

Rachel
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PolyglotNZ
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Quote PolyglotNZ Replybullet Posted: 09 December 2007 at 6:55pm
The best MSA dictionary is 'The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic' (ISBN 0-87950-003-4) edited by J. M. Cowan and published by Spoken Language Services. You can buy it from Amazon.com.

Cheers!

Leo


"One who knows languages feels home everywhere."
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patuco
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Quote patuco Replybullet Posted: 15 December 2007 at 3:18pm
Hans Wehr is the best for Arabic-English. If you need an English-Arabic, you should get Al-Mawrid (also available from Amazon.com).
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rgugler
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Quote rgugler Replybullet Posted: 16 December 2007 at 3:20pm
Thank you for the info! I'm finally finished with finals, have electricity, and dug out of the snow storm, so I have some free time now! ;)

Rachel
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rgugler
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Quote rgugler Replybullet Posted: 18 December 2007 at 3:09am
I worked on my Arabic a little, and was feeling very lost when looking at the writing, so I've decided to work on that exclusively for now. I found a book at my bookstore that help teach the alphabet and writing, and I can find plenty of places online where I can get spoken examples, so I'm feeling a lot better about it than I did when I first started! I was just wondering if anybody had any free resources that would help me practice learning to write the new shapes. My book has some space to trace the letters, then practice copying, but not nearly enough.

Thanks!

Rachel
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Palomnik
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Quote Palomnik Replybullet Posted: 25 December 2007 at 10:41am
rgugler:  you may want to check out this website:
 
 
It's in Arabic, but I'm sure you'll get the gist of what they're trying to do, which is to teach you proper handwriting.  Don't be surprised that Arabic handwriting is not the same as printed Arabic (sorry to lay that on you, but unfortunately it's true).  The standard form of Arabic used for handwriting is called ruq3ah, as opposed to naskh, which is the standard form used for printing.  The differences are not tremendous, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with writing Arabic like a native is reward in itself.
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rambam
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Quote rambam Replybullet Posted: 18 January 2008 at 1:11am

The FSI Arabic course is missing audio for two tapes. The link below is offering a download for $45.00 for all the audio for the Saudi course.

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sharshar
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Quote sharshar Replybullet Posted: 08 April 2008 at 6:12am
RelaxSmile listen and listen and listen untile you can not listen any more but then you want to speak  LOLthen listen and speak ..etc take for example the French course..and listen to how many time you hear the lesson.Clap
 
لغتي الجميلة
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