How The Exorcist Possessed My Arabic Lesson
"We thought our Arabic instructor had gone crazy!" But showing the opening scenes of The Exorcist (1973) turned out to be the perfect lesson. Discover how the film's "real" Arabic numerals, the call to prayer in Iraq, and William Peter Blatty's Lebanese roots provided an unexpected and engaging entry point for beginner Arabic students.
Beyond Flashcards: How Ceramics Can Help Students Learn the Arabic Alphabet
Learning the Arabic alphabet can be tough. One Arabic teacher found a unique solution: combining Arabic script with ceramics! Students got to paint their own mugs with Arabic names, making learning engaging and memorable. This article shares the journey, challenges, and success of this interdisciplinary approach.
SATTS: The Forgotten U.S. Military System for Transliterating Arabic in the Cold War
When Arabic characters couldn't be displayed, SATTS (Standard Arabic Technical Transliteration System) offered a solution. Reginald Hefner takes a historical look at this pre-digital military system, explaining how it allowed Arabic to be read and written in Latin characters without pronunciation cues, and its role during the Cold War era.
Learning Hebrew as an Arabic Speaker: A Practical Guide to Grammar, Vocabulary, and the Alphabet
Learning Hebrew is much easier if you already know Arabic. This article reveals the strong connections between these Semitic languages, from shared roots and grammatical structures to alphabet similarities. It also uncovers a fascinating mistranslation in the Old Testament concerning Moses and the "Red Sea."
How to Retain Multiple Languages: Tips from a Polyglot Who Mastered Arabic
Polyglot Reginald Hefner shares strategies for maintaining many languages. He offers practical tips on routines, methods for skill retention, and overcoming challenges to prevent language decay.
The Surprising U.S. Military Origins of a Classic Arabic Language Course
This guest article by Reginald Hefner details the unexpected origins of widely used Arabic language courses. It traces how U.S. military language labs, phonograph records, and "survival language" methodologies influenced early Arabic textbooks.
How Do You Say ‘To Be Very Red’ in Arabic? The Power of Verb Forms XI-XV
Often overlooked, Arabic verb forms XI to XV are crucial for a deeper understanding of the language. This guest article by Reginald Hefner explains these "rare" verbs, their meanings, and how they intensify expression in contemporary Arabic texts.
