Modern Standard Arabic, or formal Arabic, is primarily used for:
- Reading and comprehending news articles and media outlets such as Aljazeera, BBC Arabic, and business-related materials.
- Delivering professional speeches in a corporate setting.
- Engaging with Arabic literature and poetry.
- Understanding religious texts, particularly the Quran.
- Giving speeches about Islamic topics.
- Reading and drafting legal documents.
There are three main Arabic dialects that are widely spoken in the Arab world: Levantine Arabic, used in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine; Egyptian Arabic in Egypt; and Gulf Arabic in the regions of the Persian Gulf.
Speaking one dialect is enough to understand the others 100%
It is like if you are from London and you met someone from New York!
The 3 Arabic dialects are used in:
In everyday life conversation.
Speaking to family and friends.
Speaking to collogues at work.
Watching Arabic movies and TV shows.
Listening to Arabic Music.
Giving presentations at work.
To effectively communicate with native Arabic speakers in daily conversations, it is best to learn a dialect. However, for understanding media, literature, and the Quran, as well as giving formal speeches and conducting business, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the preferred choice. Ultimately, it is necessary to learn both dialects and MSA. It may be helpful to prioritize based on personal goals. If one learns only MSA, they will be understood by native speakers but may sound formal and archaic, similar to Shakespearean English which is not commonly used in day-to-day communication.
Now you have a good understanding about the Arabic language, so you can choose the right course for you!
