Learning the Arabic Alphabet and numbers
So what is it that makes Arabic “hard” to learn? The challenges are many when considering the great differences that exist between English and Arabic, not least of them being the need to learn an entirely new script or alphabet! Here are a few things to consider when learning the Arabic letters and some tips to make it a bit easier.
The Arabic alphabet has 29 letters, but each letter will change its shape depending on its position in a word, with beginning, medial, final and stand-alone variations. Tip – don’t be overwhelmed by the variations, try to imagine the different forms as the way letters change in English when you join up your writing – it’s more of less the same concept when writing the Arabic letters.
You will also have to get used to writing from right to left (and numbers left to right!), this can be confusing at first, but as they say – practice makes perfect! In fact, people who are left handed may actually find this way of writing more natural once they have mastered the script.
As well as a new alphabet, the learner of Arabic will also have to get used to a different symbols to represent numbers. Don’t worry too much though, there are some similarities with the number system English speakers are used to (which is actually the original Arabic system!). To confuse you further, Arabic numbers are read, in the case of two digit numbers unit-tens rather than the English way tens-unit (e.g two and forty = forty two), and for three digit numbers hundred-unit-tens (three hundred and six and ninety = three hundred and ninety six)
Need some encouragement to start or continue with your Arabic language learning journey? There are countless reasons why you may be learning Arabic, whether it be to access the rich and varied culture of the Arab world, to enhance your job prospects or simply to achieve the personal satisfaction of mastering a complicated and beautiful language.
The key to your success will always be your keeping you motivations and intentions for learning Arabic in sight. When the going gets tough, remind yourself why you started learning Arabic in the first place and it should give you the boost you need to persevere. Arabic is one of the most rewarding languages to learn, the more you put in, the more you get out!
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