Arabic Language Learning Strategies

[jackdaws]

As-salaamu alaykum,

I'm posting this question here even though I have already the very basics of Arabic language, because - being a new member - I don't yet have the forum privileges to post a question to Sheikh Dr. V. Abdur Rahim.

My situation is that I have been learning Arabic for some weeks from a commercial language pack called "Teach Yourself Arabic". This pack teaches what it describes as modern standard Arabic, which I hope will be of some use to me if ever I meet an Arabic person, travel to an Arabic country, or wish to read an Arabic book or newspaper. However, my primary reason for studying Arabic is to understand the Qur'an in it's original language - i.e. classical Arabic. Having belatedly discovered this difference between the two forms of Arabic, I am now keen to start studying classical Arabic, and have found myself at this wonderful website and it's free download facilities.

Now, since there are some differences between modern standard Arabic and classical Arabic, I am wondering whether it would be beneficial or harmful to study both forms of the language at once. I know that people who study languages at college do study more than one language, and in one respect it may be that studying modern Arabic may help me study classical Arabic. However, I don't want to find in several weeks time I have been simply confusing myself with two incompatible forms of a language.

What do people think? I would be particularly interested in the views of people who have some experience or expertise in the learning of languages.

[hassan]

wa alaikumussalam.

I read in an article:

"A boxer will do a workout of a boxer to prepare for a fight. A runner will do a workout that enables him to win his race. If a runner does the workout of a boxer he will not achieve his goal of winning a race. And likewise the boxer who does the workout of a runner will not have the strength to win his fight. So looking at it with this view you must ask yourself, what do I want to do with Arabic? If you wish to read the paper only perhaps the advises listed here will not be a big benefit to you. And likewise the same for the one who only wishes to become a doctor or chemist in an Arabic speaking country. If your reason for learning Arabic is to understand the words of your creator and words of your prophet (saw) and the knowledge that comes from the books and tongues of the ulema then this advice should be of some benefit in sha’ allah."

So brother, if you want to learn arabic for the sake of understanding the Quran then go ahead with this course of Madina Books, it is designed for you

[jackdaws]

Many thanks, Hassan, for that thought provoking reply. I would ideally like to be a long-distance runner. Until now I've been little more than an intermittent jogger, but as age advances, insha'allah we learn a little stamina as well as some urgency! I do certainly intend to use the Medina Books. My internet connection is very slow (I live in a rural area, and cannot get broadband), so I will try to view the video tomorrow in the nearest internet cafe, but thanks for pointing it out.

[hassan]

assalamu alaikum.

he said in the video that usually in different countries people teach only arabic grammar. but i dont like this approach. my method is to teach the grammer and the language both. so when i say grammer than it means grammar+language. then he said that classical languages are those languages which are ancient, which are old, and which are dead now. but we wont call arabic a classical language in a context that it is dead. it is a living language and it is practiced all over the world.

[jackdaws]

wa-alaykum salaam,

Many thanks again, Hassan. Regarding the video, is that one of the same collection that is downloadable from this site, or is it a different one? I have the videos for the first two books, and intend to download the rest as I get an opportunity at the internet cafe.

[hassan]

assalamu alaikum.

What I was referring you to is one of the videos from advance course which is personally taught by Dr Abdur Rahim. And yes, their videos are also available for download under the link of advance course "Selections from the Glorious Quran"

[jackdaws]

wa-alaykum salaam,

Thanks for the reply and for your advice generally. I'll bear the advanced course videos in mind. If I work hard, insha'allah, I look forward to being ready to fully appreciate them when I've worked through the basic stuff ;-)

Danny