The Arabic Language

This general introduction to the Arabic Language, now available in paperback, places special emphasis on the history and variation of the language. Concentrating on the difference between the two types of Arabic - the Classical standard language and the dialects - Kees Versteegh charts the history and development of the Arabic language from the earliest beginnings to modern times. The reader is offered a solid grounding in the structure of the language, its historical context and its use in various literary and non-literary genres, as well as an understanding of the role of Arabic as a cultural, religious and political world language. Intended as an introductory guide for students of Arabic, it will also be a useful tool for discussions both from a historical linguistic and from a socio-linguistic perspective. Coverage includes all aspects of the history of Arabic, the Arabic linguistic tradition, Arabic dialects and Arabic as a world language. Links are made between linguistic history and cultural history, while the author emphasises the role of contacts between Arabic and other languages. This important book will be an ideal text for all those wishing to acquire an understanding or develop their knowledge of the Arabic language. This comprehensive work presents a compelling and much needed synthesis of linguistic theories, considering both the historical development of Arabic, and its modern structure and usage. In charting the development of Arabic, Vertseegh provides a detailed picture of the richness, diversity, and complexity of the language, paying close attention to the difference between literary or classic Arabic -- the language of the Qur'an and literature, codified in the eighth century and surviving largely unchanged to this day -- and the many dialects spoken throughout the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Africa. Versteegh describes Arabic's three main dialects: Arabic proper, typified by the archaic dialects of the Bedouins of the Arabian Peninsula; Eastern dialects spoken in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt; and Latinized dialects spoken in Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria.Bringing together linguistic and cultural history while exploring Arabic's many contacts with other languages, Versteegh brings into focus the full breadth of Arabic's influence as a cultural, religious, and political language. This book will be an invaluable resource for students and scholars of Middle East studies or linguistics.