Classic Arabic & Dialects

Learning Arabic differs from other foreign languages for native and non-native Arabic speakers alike. This is because Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the mother tongue of no one.

These dialects are spoken natively by speakers of Arab countries and include the Egyptian and Gulf dialects, in addition to the Levantine dialect spoken in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. Whereas, standard Arabic is the formal written variety that is taught in schools and has official status throughout 22 Arab countries.

Most students learning MSA know that eventually that they must learn a dialect if they want to function in Arab society, leading them to rely on being immersed in the Arab culture where they can either pick up the dialect on their own or through study abroad programs where they are taught the dialect

Yet, the question remains of which dialect to choose and based on what reasons. In my opinion, part of teaching Arabic is encouraging students to visit Arab countries, participate in study abroad programs, learn a dialect, and be confident in speaking Arabic whenever they have the opportunity regardless of which variety. As an Arabic instructor, I face a similar challenge as my students, and that is competence in a full spectrum of language varieties aside from MSA. I have my own variety through which I communicate with other native speakers. Yet, in the classroom, I am expected to use MSA.

It is challenging on my end as the instructor because I know that the written and rarely spoken MSA will not benefit my students on the street or in a supermarket aside from probably being ridiculed by native speakers.

I keep my students aware of the fact that they will eventually need some vernacular guidance, and that aside from class time I am willing to focus on “spoken” Arabic with my students, letting them know that the only vernacular I can offer is my own being the Levantine dialect

If you’re looking to learn to speak Arabic online, you’ve probably come across both Quranic and Modern Standard Arabic. Most Arabic language schools offer courses in both.
But why? What is the difference between the two and which one should you learn first? Continue reading to find out.

Quranic Arabic

( Classical Arabic)

Quranic Arabic is the form of Arabic in which the Quran (the holy book of Islam) is written. Quranic Arabic is also called classical Arabic. As the Quran was written as early as the 6th century A.D., the language will be slightly different from the Arabic of today.

Quranic or classical Arabic is based on the medieval dialects of Arab tribes. The sentence structure is the same as is used in the modern standard Arabic used today. The groupings, context, and some of the words used are vastly different.

There are some minor differences in grammar and punctuation of words between the Quranic and modern standard versions of Arabic. In Classical (or Quranic Arabic), special symbols are used to signify proper pronunciation and to give emphasized effects to words, such as pauses between words.

These written Arabic symbols are almost exclusively used in oral reciting of the Quran. Most Arabic speakers who are Muslims will know Quranic Arabic as teaching the Quran is often a part of a child’s education. Generally, most Arabic speakers will know both Quranic and Modern Standard Arabic.

Modern Standard Arabic

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), is the most widely used version of Arabic used today in Arabic-speaking countries. MSA is used in virtually every media outlet from TV to movies to newspapers to radio broadcasts. Most books are written in MSA and politicians speak in MSA in debates and speeches.

MSA is the Arabic that is used in everyday life in Arabic-speaking countries. Modern Standard Arabic is very similar to classical (or Quranic) Arabic. In fact, many Arabs use them interchangeably.

Overall, the two types of Arabic are very similar. Modern Standard Arabic uses new, modern words and phrases that didn’t exist back when the Quran was written. MSA also pronounces words, groups words, and elicits a different context between words than in Quranic Arabic.