Product Description

As the national language of nearly 20 countries in Africa and Asia, including Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, Arabic is the lingua franca of the Middle East.

• Contains 4,000 total entries
• Uses a standard Arabic recognized throughout the Middle East
• Incorporates the Arabic script and its romanized transliteration
• Basic Arabic Grammar
• Practical cultural information
• Perfect for travelers, businesspersons, and foreign aid workers

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53655 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780781809733
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Mahmoud Gaafar and Jane Wightwick are experienced writers, publishers, and educators specializing in accessible language guides and learning materials. Together, they have authored numerous titles, including Mastering Arabic and Emergency Arabic, both published by Hippocrene Books.

Customer Reviews

Best combination phrasebook/dictionary I've yet found
And I've looked.

One of my chief complaints about phrasebooks is that they never have a very comprehensive dictionary section. This book has an excellent one. It also refrains from using the transliteration (the strange symbols one normally sees in such books), focusing on the arabic text itself.

It also has a short section on grammar...not enough to make one an expert, but certainly enough to get a basic handle on sentence structure, posessives, verbs, etc. I've used mine so much living in Saudi Arabia that I've had to get another.

One of the best parts about it (while probably not intentional) is the extensive list of verbs in the Arabic section of the dictionary (3rd person masculine form). It's thorough, and gives one pretty much any verb needed.

One minor complaint...It would be nice if it also listed colloquialisms next to the main form of the word. But, admittedly, it's just a small phrasebook...for that, one can buy any number of specific dialectical phrasebooks (e.g., Lonely Planet series).

Overall, this is an excellent, comprehensive, yet compact resource. Any student of Arabic or anyone living and working in an Arabic speaking country would greatly benefit from having this book.

The very best product of its kind.
I am very well pleased with this pocket-sized phrasebook and mini dictionary. The introductory grammar notes and the everyday application lists are well done and easily understood. Best of all the Arabic script is provided alongside the English phonetics. Outstanding bargain!

Great resource.
I think this book was great for learning some basic arabic words and useful phrases. While it doesnt have a comprehensive section on writing and the alphabet, I dont recommend it for those who do not yet have a grasp on the alphabet. HOwever, it is a great follow-up resource for those who have already learned the alphabet and want to expand their vocabulary. One more comment: in many beginners arabic books they have the vowel marks to help beginners to read easier and this one doesnt. Hard to explain, but it just emphasizes the fact that this may be a resource too advanced to the very beginners of the language.