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Modern Standard Arabic, Classical Arabic and Dialects
“Arabs don’t actually distinguish Classical from Modern Standard Arabic unless in the context of teaching Arabic as a foreign language. They generally call both “Fusha”, and may refer to Classical Arabic as “Fusha At-Turath” in some occasions if needed.”
There are 22 countries that speak Arabic as the first language. In all those countries, Arabic is the language of the government institutes, education and media. However, the language that people of the Arab countries use in everyday life is different. Everyday language is different from the standard Arabic used in media and education. The language an Arab uses to answer a question in the exam is not exactly the same they use to talk to a taxi driver.
This might sound confusing if you consider to learn Arabic, because you will have to decide on which type of Arabic to learn. However, in this article, we will tackle the difference between Classic Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, and dialects. After that we will give you some broadlines to guide you through your journey with learning Arabic.
Classical Arabic vs. Modern Standard Arabic “Fusha”
Classical Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic are not two different languages, rather, they are two levels of Arabic Language, and they are not significantly different. Classical Arabic refers to the Arabic in the Holy Qur’an, Hadith, and the Arabic used in early books of Islamic knowledge and Arabic literature. However, Modern Standard Arabic refers to the Arabic language used in mass media, education, legislation and so on in the Arab countries. Modern Standard Arabic is said to be easier. In fact, it has the same rules and pronunciation but it is only modern; it uses words from other languages after they are adapted or Arabized such as words of newly inventions and discoveries in medical and industrial fields for instance.
Classical Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic are two terms that were not originated by Arabs because Arabs don’t actually distinguish Classical from Modern Standard Arabic unless in the context of teaching Arabic as a foreign language. They generally call both “Fusha”, and may refer to Classical Arabic as “Fusha At-Turath” in some occasions if needed.
“Fusha” or standard Arabic is not the language of everyday life in the Arab countries, but it is widely understood among educated people. It is the language they use to write official papers for their work, the language they listen to in news and read in novels, fiction and newspapers. Arabs read and write “Fusha” every day, they just don not speak it. However, they speak their home dialects.
Arabic Dialects “Ammeyah”
Arabs call a dialect “Ammeyah” and each region or country has its Ammeyah. Although Arab dialects have the same origin and all come from the Arabic language, they have big differences. You can recognize how different they are once you hear two Arabs speaking their home dialects, you may think they are speaking two different languages. And you won’t be wrong.
Each Arab country or region has a unique dialect of Arabic. Arabic dialects differ in tones, pronunciation of some letters, intonations, and words. For instance, if you asked to eat some “Aiysh”, An Egyptian would give you some bread, but a Kuwaiti would give you a plate of rice! The meaning of the word “Aiysh” in Egyptian dialect is different from Kuwaiti dialect, and is different from its original meaning in standard Arabic; “Aiysh” means life in standard Arabic, and when you know that bread is the most essential component in an Egyptian meal, and rice is the same for Kuwaitis, you would understand where such a difference in dialects came from. All Arabic dialects come from Arabic language but the varieties in environment, cultures and traditions cause the differences in usage of words and their meanings. Surprisingly enough, sometimes it is difficult for Arabs to understand each other if they speak their home dialects. This is more obvious with people from countries of Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia…) their home dialects are the hardest to understand among Arabs. But on the other hand, the Egyptian dialect is quite understood among Arabs from different countries.
What should I learn; Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic or a Dialect?
Now it is easy to decide on which one to start with; Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic or a dialect.
- Learn Classical Arabic if you are interested in reading Arabic literature, early poetry and early books of Arabic language, or Islamic knowledge such as books of Fiqh, Hadith, Usul etc.
- Modern Standard Arabic is the right choice if you are interested in reading news, newspapers, modern fiction. It is also the correct choice if you are looking for a scholarship in an Arab university, if you are interested in social studies or politics in Arab countries or want to work as a diplomat. And if you are a Muslim who lives in non-Arab country and want your family to keep learning Arabic for life, prayers, Dua’, reciting Qur’an and reading books, then it is Standard Arabic to learn.
It is important to know that Classical Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic have the same start, the introduction and first levels are the same for both (both are just Fusha, remember?) and after that you can choose.
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- On the other hand, if you are planning to visit a certain Arab country, or live there for a while, you will need to learn that country’s dialect to be able to deal with vendors, taxi drivers, negotiate prices in the market, ask about directions and do your everyday life easier. You can also use the short way and learn Egyptian Colloquial that you can use with any Arab anywhere and not be worried about being understood.
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«The nice thing about Arabic, is that you can continue through Fusha or Ammeyiah regardless how you started as a beginner, you will learn some tips and rules and be able to shift easily between them.»
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