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How To Learn Arabic?
The Background of Arabic Language:
The language, much beloved by the people, has been around for over 1000 years and originated from the Arabian peninsula. It was initially spoken by the nomadic tribes in the northwestern frontier of the peninsula. Arabic became a well-renowned language due to the frequent movement of the nomadic tribes. The inter-marriages between the natives and the Arabs also increased the number of people speaking Arabic. On top of that, Arabic also spread after the many conquests of the Muslims in the far regions of the world. Needless to say, the cumulative efforts of the Muslim rulers, the natives, and the nomads help spread this glorious language.
It was due to their efforts that today, Arabic is the fourth most spoken language in the world and is spoken by around 300 million people. There is also a high demand for Arabic speakers in both the west and European countries. Arabic speakers are often hired as translators or as officers in governmental institutions. A job in the latter sector not only increases your prospects for job security but also helps you enjoy a comfortable life in a foreign country.
Now that we have discussed the importance and history of Arabic, it is time to delve into the many reasons why we should learn Arabic.
Why should I learn Arabic?
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The biggest advantage of learning Arabic is that you can learn to understand the Quran. The book is Allah's words that he has dedicated to man. It is quite unfortunate that a plethora of Muslims don't understand the words and are unable to devise any meaning from them. Learning Arabic will help Muslims understand their beloved book easily.
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Learning a unique and different language will not only make you stand out in the crowd but also make you feel more confident in a foreign land. Having a clear command will also make you appear cleverer and smarter in any diverse crowd.
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It helps you get affiliated with a different culture. One of the most difficult things is to get accustomed to foreign customs and traditions. This becomes even more challenging when one doesn't know the language. Thereby learning Arabic will help you mingle with the foreign crowd.
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Apart from all the social and cultural benefits, you can also enjoy many economical benefits. When you know the language of the locals, you can easily advance your career and expand your reach. This is especially true in terms of sales business. Without the know-how of the local language, you can't expertly target the Arabic locals.
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Another benefit is that you will be able to appreciate the region's true uniqueness. You will also be traveling on your own without the help of any locals. This will also help you explore the local cuisines, music, literature, and art of the region.
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You can even become an interpreter in a foreign land. So even if you originally learned Arabic for different reasons, you can diversify your options and become an interpreter in the west. The demand for Arabic speakers is also quite high in South Asian and European countries.
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Some of the best Islamic books are written in Arabic. Learning Arabic does not only allow you to understand the Quran, but it also helps you understand the plethora of Islamic books in the world. Many people say that there is no need to learn Arabic because almost all the books have been translated into English and other languages. However, the true essence of any book lies in its original form.
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Traveling to different regions in the middle east becomes fairly easy. When you know the language of the locals, you are in a better position to get visas and immigration to Arab-speaking countries. Even if you speak a few phrases and words only, it is still better than not knowing anything of the local language.
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You should also learn Arabic if you want kids are learning it at their schools or colleges. This usually happens when you are an immigrant residing in a GCC country. Knowing the language will not only help you communicate with your child, but it will also help speed up the learning process of your child.
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Lastly, and this is the best reason to learn Arabic. You should do it because Arabic is a beautiful and rich language that comes with many intricacies. It is God's chosen language and has a lot to offer. You should hence feel excited about embarking on this journey of a lifetime.
How to Learn Arabic- Ways to Facilitate Your Journey?
Many people love learning new languages, but the task seems like a big one. However, once you understand Arabic, learning other languages like Farsi and Persian becomes fairly easy.
You also save a lot of money. When you know how to interact with locals, you can easily negotiate with salesmen and get a lower price.
Appreciate the diversity:
Arabic is one of the vastest languages that exist on this planet. It has been around for centuries. Over the years, the language has seen a lot of change, particularly in its dialect. Moreover, the Arabic that is part of Islam and the Quran is somewhat different from the common dialects spoken in Arab. So before you take classes, you need to pick the form of Arabic you want to learn.
Many people assume that the same form of Arabic is spoken in all parts of Arabia. However, that is not the case.
If you waltz through Amman to Marrakech, you shouldn't assume that everyone you meet will automatically understand your dialect and speech.
You should also assess the reasons for learning Arabic. For people who want to settle in the Arab world and do business there, they must learn the authentic dialects. However, some people simply want to learn Arabic to pass a particular test. If you fall in the latter category, we suggest you take it easy and don't rush yourself with your studies.
Moreover, if you want to understand the meaning of Quranic text, you need to spend a couple of years increasing your grip on Arabic and related grammar.
Pick the right form:
There are three main types of Arabic forms to choose from. The first is the modern standard Arabic. This is a generic form of Arabic that is spoken in most areas of North Africa and the middle east. You will also see a lot of locals and foreigners settled in the areas speaking this form. It is relatively easy when compared to all other forms of Arabic. Moreover, the time taken to understand and learn it is also less.
The second form of Arabic, classical Arabic, is the hardest. It not only requires a lot of time but also a lot of attention and determination. The Quran uses Arabic jargon as well as Arabic idioms and expressions to convey the message of God. People who want to understand the book without any help from a teacher or friend will need to learn this form of Arabic. This may seem like a difficult task, but once you learn this form of Arabic, you will find it very easy to read Quran. And what could be more rewarding than that?
The last one is the one that is specified by geography. Contrary to what people believe, Arabic is not only spoken in the Middle East or countries of Saudi Arabia and UAE. It is also the common language in Qatar, Oman, and other surrounding areas. Depending on the geographical area you want to work or settle in, you can choose a form accordingly.
Learning the Alphabets:
Regardless of what form of Arabic you decide to learn, the first step is always to learn the Arabic alphabet. This may seem a daunting task and rightfully so too. Learning the alphabet of a language that is foreign to your own is always a difficult thing, however, you can start easy and learn one alphabet each day.
If you are attending an academy or have hired a teacher, you can request them to go easy on you and allow you to maintain your own pace. However, if you are learning on your own, you can make up your schedule and learn a single alphabet every day.
Learning these alphabets is more challenging for a native English speaker than it is for a Persian, Indian or Pakistani person. This is because, unlike English, Arabic is written from the right side of the page. The alphabets are also very different, both in their pronunciation and their outlook.
There are a total of 28 alphabets in the language and learning them is essential to everything else. According to many teachers of the language, a common mistake that people make is learning the transliterations of words rather than the actual alphabets. This becomes problematic in the longer run.
Listen to Natives:
Combining learning with listening is integral to increasing your grip on the language. You can not hope to speak the language if you are not familiar with its pronunciation. If you are serious about learning Arabic, you should try to listen to Arabic speakers for half an hour every day. Moreover, you can also watch short YouTube videos to aid the process.
This may seem like a menial and unnecessary part of the process, but in reality, it ensures a plethora of benefits. You not only learn the connotation of words, but you also get familiar with how alphabets are strung together.
Another great way to get familiar with the process is to pick up an Arabic podcast or watch an Arabic movie. Picking the latter will help you stay interested in the story while also learning something in the process.
Practice Makes Perfect:
When you started this journey, no one said that it was going to be without its many challenges. Once you have mastered the art of writing and recognizing the alphabet, it is time for the hardest step.
Like with everything that you do in your life, practicing the language will also help you learn the essence of the language. You can learn all you want and watch as many documentaries as you want, but without practicing the dialects and the language, you will never be able to speak it.
Most people are afraid to take the first step when it comes to speaking a new language. They are under confident and are afraid to leap of faith. However, once they take that step, everything else becomes fairly easy.
In the beginning, you shouldn't begin with complex texts. You should go with absolute basics, something that students of class 1 may learn. You should try speaking the text for a couple of days before you move on to more complex steps.
Find a native speaker to help you out
Having a native speaker to practice with you can be the gamechanger for your journey. It will not only help you strengthen your form and dialect but it will also help you better fix your mistakes. A native speaker will correct your mistakes while also suggesting improvements that you can make. Moreover, if you are learning a diverse range of colloquial Arabic, the native speaker can also offer tricks and tips to get better. They will help you get equipped with different idioms and expressions as well.
The fast-paced digital world offers many opportunities for the avid learners of the world. You don't have to be present in a foreign Arab land to complete this part of the process. For starters, you can get enrolled in an online academy and practice Arabic in the presence of a native teacher. If that is not possible, you can also avail other opportunities. Here are some platforms that will help you: Elite Assignment Help and Best Assignment Writing Services.
