Browse Tag
consonant
45 posts
Arabic has 28 consonant sounds (الحروف الساكنة في العربية), each represented by a unique letter in the Arabic alphabet. These sounds include a range of emphatic, pharyngeal, and uvular consonants.
Flying Fathas
You might assume that the Arabic on the signs on an Emirates plane is correct. At least the diacritics (تشكيل) aren't.
Cutting the Qiblah
The direction of prayer should not be interrupted - at least not in the written form of the Arabic word.
Hamza on Speed
Even on Saudi Arabia's modern high-speed train, spelling mistakes haunt you.
Holy Smokes!
If you get off the train at the main station in the holy city of al-Madinah in Saudi Arabia, you will be greeted with a serious grammatical error.
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."
What Happens in Your Brain When You Learn Arabic?
A new Max Planck Institute study explores brain differences when learning Arabic or German. Dr. Matthias Schwendemann discusses how native Arabic speakers' brains adapt to German, offering good news and motivation for adults learning new languages later in life.
How to Form the Imperative of the Dual in Arabic: The Example of Qāla – قالَ
While rarely used in colloquial Arabic, forming the imperative dual (الْمُثَنَّى) tests your understanding of Arabic roots. This guide breaks down the steps to build the imperative, especially with weak letters, using clear examples.
The Secret Code of Arabic Verbs: What the Vowel on the 2nd Root Letter Reveals
The second root letter's vowel in Arabic past tense verbs (فَعَلَ) provides vital clues to its meaning. This guide explains how the vowels 'a', 'i', and 'u' distinguish between acts, transitory states, and permanent states, with examples.
A Guide to the Arabic Broken Plural: Understanding its History and Function
The broken plural is a fascinating, unique feature of Arabic and South Semitic languages. This article covers its historical roots, formation patterns, and its grammatical role as a "collective noun."
“I expect to serve in the Arab world so this feels like a wise investment of my time” | Ulric Shannon | 9273 Roots #11
He's the Canadian ambassador to Egypt who has served across the Middle East. Ulric Shannon discusses why studying Arabic is a "wise investment," his experience at Middlebury College, and his love for the complex literature of Taha Hussein and the "swagger" of the Lebanese dialect.
