{"id":3539,"date":"2015-10-22T13:15:36","date_gmt":"2015-10-22T13:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/?p=3539"},"modified":"2015-10-15T00:15:52","modified_gmt":"2015-10-15T00:15:52","slug":"top-dialects-of-the-arabic-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/top-dialects-of-the-arabic-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Dialects of the Arabic Language"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arabic is a pluricentric <\/b>language, which means that several different standard forms exist in various regions. In fact, different dialects of Arabic can be so distinct that speakers from each dialect can\u2019t understand each other. With over 200 million native speakers in more than 20 different countries, Arabic has numerous dialects, each with its own unique accent and vocabulary. Here\u2019s a list of some of the most widely-spoken ones.<\/p>\n

1. Modern Standard<\/b><\/p>\n

Modern Standard Arabic is the standardized variety of the Arabic language. It\u2019s used in writing and formal speech, and is the official language of over 20 different countries. Modern Standard Arabic is also one of the six languages of the United Nations.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re learning Arabic, you\u2019re probably learning the Modern Standard dialect. However, although you\u2019ll be able to read most Arabic-language books and newspapers, you might not be able to understand some of the other dialects on this list.<\/p>\n

2. Egyptian<\/b><\/p>\n

Egyptian Arabic refers to the dialect spoken by over 60 million people in Egypt. As such, it\u2019s the most widely spoken Arabic dialect, and after Modern Standard Arabic, it\u2019s the most widely studied dialect, as well. Though Egyptian Arabic shares most of its vocabulary with the Modern Standard dialect, its grammar and sentence structure are significantly different.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/a>

Image via Aieman Khimji<\/a> \/ Wikipedia<\/p><\/div>\n

3. Levantine<\/b><\/p>\n

Spoken by some 20 million people along the eastern border of the Mediterranean Sea, Levantine Arabic is one of the major dialects of the Arabic language. Levantine Arabic has unique phonological, lexical, and grammatical features compared to other dialects of Arabic. For example, personal pronouns (e.g., \u201cI\u201d, \u201che\u201d, \u201cshe\u201d) can take up to twelve different forms depending on locational and social factors.<\/p>\n

4. Sudanese<\/b><\/p>\n

Sudan is home to nearly 20 million Arabic speakers, and it has developed its own dialect. The dialects used by different tribes in Sudan can vary considerably from one another, though Sudanese Arabic maintains some unique characteristics that differentiate it from other dialects. For instance, the letter \u062c, <\/b>which is usually pronounced something like a \u201csh\u201d in other Arabic dialects, is pronounced like a \u201cg\u201d in Sudanese.<\/p>\n

How good is your Arabic? Find out by taking our <\/i><\/b>free online Arabic level test<\/i><\/b><\/a>!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

5. Mesopotamian<\/b><\/p>\n

Mesopotamian Arabic is an umbrella term for a continuum of Arabic dialects spoken in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. Due to the history of multiculturalism in the region, there\u2019s a significant degree of linguistic influence from other languages, such as Farsi and Turkish.<\/p>\n

6. Peninsular<\/b><\/p>\n

Like Mesopotamian Arabic, Peninsular Arabic is a general term for several varieties of the language. Peninsular Arabic is spoken in the Arabian Peninsula, in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n

7. Maghrebi<\/b><\/p>\n

The variety of Arabic spoken in the Maghreb (a region in Northwest Africa) is spoken in countries such as Algeria and Morocco. Given the history of European colonization in these regions, there are several loanwords from Romance languages. For example, the variety spoken in Morocco features several borrowings from Spanish, whereas the variety spoken in Algeria is influenced by French.<\/p>\n

As mentioned before, Modern Standard Arabic is the written standard of the language, and is used throughout the Arabic-speaking world in print. The other dialects on this list, then, are primarily spoken, rather than written, dialects. Given the stark dialectical differences in the language, it\u2019s crucial that you take tailor-made courses from a native Arabic speaker<\/a> who can explain these important regional differences. Contact us<\/a> to learn more about how we can help you improve your Arabic skills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Arabic is a pluricentric language, which means that several different standard forms exist in various regions. In fact, different dialects of Arabic can be so distinct that speakers from each dialect can\u2019t understand each other. With over 200 million native speakers in more than 20 different countries, Arabic has numerous dialects, each with its own(\u2026)<\/p>\n

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\n\t \t\t\t\tCONTINUE READING »<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":3540,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[318,463],"class_list":["post-3539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-learning","tag-arabic","tag-learn-arabic"],"yoast_head":"\nTop Dialects of the Arabic Language<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learning Arabic? Which form? 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