Why study Arabic?
My dad didn't know I was taking classes to learn Arabic again (and actually attending them this time) and when I told him the other night, the first thing he said was, "WHY?! Here, talk to your mother."
There are a lot of reasons why (not because I dated a couple Moroccans, either). I remember back in high school, I was applying for some kind of scholarship and it asked where in the world I'd travel if I could. I chose the Holy Land - Middle East... basically, Arabia. When I dated Frenchie and mentioned I wanted to take a language class, he suggested Arabic. I discovered and LOVE Arabic music and dance. But the one reason that sticks out the most is well summed in a quote I found from Philip Hitti, an Arab historian. He describes the way the Arabic language affects its speakers:
No people in the world manifest such enthusiastic admiration for literary expression and are so moved by the word, spoken or written, as the Arabs. Modern audiences in Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo can be stirred to the highest degree by the recital of poems, only vaguely comprehended, and by the delivery of orations in the classical tongue, though it be only partially understood. The rhythm, the rhyme, the music, produce on them the effect of what they call "lawful magic" (sihr halal).
I guess I just want in on that. Plus, how cool would it be to actually be able to read those little squiggles?
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i think its awesome that you live in an area where you can take classes to learn Arabic...its so different than most classes offered, like french, spanish, and german.
that is the one main thing i miss about CA, the diversity -- and having the opportunity to do things that arent offered in other areas. (like upper midwest where we are from!!)
i too, love arabic music!!!!
Arabic is indeed an interesting language. I keep meaning to take classes in it myself.
It's probably not a real career enhancer like it would have been in the 80s or 90s (if you want that, you should be studying Chinese), but it is a fascinating language and culture.
I wouldn't really call it magical or musical. Trust me, I hear it a lot from Nabil. It's more like talking loudly/screaming. It sounds like they're fighting. Admit it, Ginger.
Arabic huh, I thought Spanish was a little tuff...
Why is my grade school picture on this site? ;)
-josh
"No people in the world manifest such enthusiastic admiration for literary expression and are so moved by the word, spoken or written, as the Arabs."
Is that why they change their minds five times over about how to word and spell every bit of text on a website?
Fun fact: a common Iraqi curse is "I shit on God."
Fun fact: a common Iraqi curse is "I shit on God."
In Soviet Russia, God shits on YOU.
"In Soviet Russia, God shits on YOU."
That's pretty much the norm everywhere, actually.