Browse Tag
Syria
22 posts
Syria (سوريا): A country in Western Asia, bordered by Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and diverse landscapes.
Alephia 2053: The Dystopian Animated Film for Arabic Listening Practice
"Alephia 2053" is a Lebanese animated movie depicting a bleak, oppressive future for the Arab world. Available for free on YouTube, it's a politically significant film and an excellent Arabic listening exercise, featuring MSA dialogue and multi-language subtitles.
Modern Arabic Novels to Read in English (Syria, Lebanon & Palestine)
This first part of a series showcases modern Arabic novels translated into English. It covers acclaimed authors from Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, offering diverse narratives and insights into contemporary Arab societies and their experiences.
“The relatives are scorpions” | Nikolaos van Dam | 9273 Roots #21
He was the Dutch ambassador to Iraq, Egypt, and Turkey, and is a world-renowned authority on Syria. Dr. Nikolaos van Dam shares insights from a lifetime in diplomacy, his love for Palestinian Arabic, and his favorite, cynical proverb about family.
From Noah’s Son to a Language Family: The Surprising Origin of the Word ‘Semitic’
This article clarifies the term "Semitic" and its relation to Arabic. It explores the history and development of Semitic languages, including Akkadian, Hebrew, and Amharic, providing a brief overview.
arabcast.org: Free Arabic Audiobooks for Language Learners
Arabcast.org offers a remarkable, free collection of Arabic audiobooks, including classical and contemporary literature. Improve listening skills with professional readings on the website or via mobile apps.
“My greatest fear is that I won’t go back to my country and die in exile” | Widad Nabi | 9273 Roots #9
From the heart of war-torn Syria to the vibrant literary scene of Berlin, Widad Nabi's poetry offers a powerful voice for displacement, memory, and the enduring human spirit. In this deeply personal interview, the acclaimed Kurdish-Syrian poet and author opens up about her favorite Arabic words and literature, the cities that hold her heart, and her greatest fears and hopes for the future.
The Grammar of “Kull ‘Aam wa Antum bi Khayr” (كُلُّ عامٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِخَيْرٍ) – What is the function of the و?
The common Arabic congratulatory phrase "kull Aam wa antum bi Khayr" (كُلُّ عامٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِخَيْرٍ) holds interesting grammatical nuances. This article breaks down its structure, particularly focusing on the function of the "wa" (و) and how it influences the case ending of "kull" (كُلّ), offering insights into its correct usage and variations.
TV Series in Classical Arabic (الفصحى) with English Subtitles
Finding TV series in Classical Arabic (الفصحى) with English subtitles can be challenging. This guide presents notable historical dramas like Musalsal Fath al-Andalus and the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal series (all 31 episodes with English subtitles), and also discusses Bible stories in Classical Arabic, offering valuable resources for language learners.
Tanween Fatḥa: بَيْتًا vs. بَيْتاً – Correct Placement in Arabic
The placement of Tanween Fatḥa (تنوين بالفتح) in Arabic, specifically whether it sits on the Aleph (بَيْتاً) or on the preceding letter (بَيْتًا), is a common query. This article delves into the grammatical debate, explains the logic behind each spelling, and identifies regional preferences (e.g., Egypt vs. Syria), while also highlighting special situations where the placement is fixed.
Foreign Words in Arabic: Farsi, Greek, & Turkish (Part 2)
This is Part 2 of a series on the etymology of foreign words in Arabic, focusing on traces left by Farsi, Greek, and Ottoman Turkish. Discover the origins of common Arabic words like لِيمان (prison), أُوضة (room), دُنْدُورمة (ice cream), جَزْمَة (shoes), and دُغْرِي (straight), revealing their fascinating linguistic journeys into the Arabic lexicon.
