The Arabic Language

New for this edition

Additional chapters on the structure of Arabic, bilingualism and Arabic pidgins and creoles

A full explanation of the use of conventional Arabic transcription and IPA characters

An updated bibliography

All chapters have been revised and updated in light of recent research

Concentrating on the difference between the two types of Arabic - the classical standard language and the dialects - Kees Versteegh charts the history and development of the Arabic language from its earliest beginnings to modern times.

Students will gain a solid grounding in the structure of the language, its historical context and its use in various literary and non-literary genres, as well as an understanding of the role of Arabic as a cultural, religious and political world language.