Basics of Arabic: A Complete Grammar, Workbook, and Lexicon

(Paperback)

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An ideal introduction to Arabic for beginning students and independent learners

Basics of Arabic by Ayman Ibrahim is an introductory grammar, workbook, and lexicon for learning Modern Standard Arabic. Designed for students approaching Arabic for the first time the book provides them with all the tools necessary to develop skills in reading and writing Arabic. Students will learn Arabic grammar and vocabulary and be able to translate key Arabic passages from biblical and qur'anic texts.

Each lesson includes:

• A thorough and understandable introduction to a particular grammatical feature in Arabic
• List of vocabulary to be memorized
• Exercises for practice and reinforcement of key concepts

Basics of Arabic will help readers:

• Recite the Arabic alphabet
• Read and pronounce Arabic words
• Learn the Arabic noun and verbal system
• Understand syntax for writing and reading sentences

Additional translation exercises and a complete lexicon are included at the back of the book. Ideal for students, missionaries, independent learners, and homeschoolers this accessible guide give readers a clear and understandable introduction to this important language.

Reviews

'Ayman Ibrahim has provided English speakers with an excellent guide to learning written Arabic. There are thorough explanations in English with many more clear tables than in comparable textbooks. Exercises encourage translation from Arabic to English and English to Arabic. Excerpts from the Qur'an and the Bible in Arabic are an original feature that will appeal to students of religious studies. I wish this book had been available when I first learned written Arabic.' * MARK BEAUMONT, research associate at London School of Theology, formerly senior lecturer in Islam and Mission *
'This textbook fills an important niche for those beginning the study of Arabic. Ayman Ibrahim introduces the student to a wide variety of everyday as well as less common vocabulary within clear, well-structured lessons and exercises. Highly recommended for the classroom and self-directed students, Basics of Arabic surpasses other currently available textbooks.' * SANDRA TOENIES KEATING, professor of theology, Providence College, RI *
'Basics of Arabic provides the student with an accessible step-by-step introduction to the Arabic language with ease but with grammatical rigor. Ayman Ibrahim gradually introduces the language, with minimal grammatical jargon, allowing the student to move from one topic to the next without getting overwhelmed.' * GEORGE A. KIRAZ, Gorgias Press, Editor-in-Chief *
'In Basics of Arabic, Ayman Ibrahim has provided in one place an innovative and user-friendly grammar and workbook for the beginning student of Arabic. Carefully laid out, visually appealing, and studded with helpful charts, vocabulary lists, and exercises, the book's twenty lessons expertly guide the student from the basics of the Arabic alphabet through to the intricacies of Arabic verbs and sentences. A truly unique and welcome feature of the book is that it draws examples and exercises from the Arabic Bible and the Qur'an, as well as from everyday life in the Arabic-speaking world. Highly recommended!' * MATTHEW J. KUIPER, Missouri State University *
'This is a delightful introduction to Modern Standard Arabic. The presentation is orderly and well-paced. The overview of the verbal system is a model of clarity. Uniquely, the vocabulary items mastered by students include an essential assortment of religious terms shared by Arabic-speaking Muslims and Christians. While designed for use with a teacher, the text is also appropriate for self-study and as a supplementary grammar in a course on proficiency Arabic. A student who masters the material in this book will have a solid foundation with which to continue the study of Arabic, and an ability to read religious and non-religious literature in standard Arabic.' * JOHN C. LAMOREAUX, Department of Religious Studies, Southern Methodist University *

Author Bio

Ayman S. Ibrahim (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Haifa) is Bill and Connie Jenkins Professor of Islamic Studies and director of the Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He wrote The Stated Motivations for the Early Islamic Expansion and has authored numerous articles on the Islamic world, appearing in The Washington Post, Evangelical Interfaith Dialogue Journal, Charisma News, and First Things among others.