The Arabic Language

An introductory guide for students of Arabic language, Arabic historical linguistics and Arabic sociolinguistics

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.

The reader is given 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.

Key Features

• Covers all aspects of the history of Arabic, the Arabic linguistic tradition, Arabic dialects, sociolinguistics and Arabic as a world language
• Makes links between linguistic history and cultural history
• Emphasises the role of contacts between Arabic and other languages