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