Arabic Verbs and Essentials of Grammar

by Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar

Book Overview

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0844246050
• ISBN13: 9780844246055
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Good start, but you've got a little further to go

As a beginner to the Arabic language, I was grateful to find this book. In the past, I've been subjected to dry-as-toast Arabic grammars that made NO sense whatsoever (because they often used jargon that would only be familiar to Arabic scholars with PhDs, probably). Wightwick and Gaafar's book is a nice, slim reference for basic Arabic grammar. What is particularly nice for the elementary student is that while grammar is shown in Arabic script (in my opinion, this is necessary for any Arabic guide worth its salt), the words are also transliterated so that the reader can accurately learn the pronunciation of a word. HOWEVER, it should be pointed out that the subtitle is a little misleading. This is NOT a practical guide for the "mastery" of Arabic. While a great desk reference, it is still a good introductury Arabic grammar. There are other books for advanced grammar. This isn't it. Also, this book is not for the absolute beginner. You should have a foundation in the Arabic alphabet and some basic vocabulary. This book teaches none of those things, just how a sentence fits together and various verb tenses. Looking back on this review, I have to amend a few things. I began studying Arabic with a tutor and would add that while the pronunciation used in the book is close, sometimes it's inaccurate. Really, you need to use this book in conjunction with an Arabic course, because you won't be able to teach yourself. You NEED to hear the language firsthand, and flat words on paper aren't going to give you that. Honestly, I recommend this more: A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic (Reference Grammars). This is a fuller, more complete picture of the Arabic language (so why waste your time on a very skinny intro grammar that occasionally makes transliteration mistakes?). Wightwick's book is a decent reference but really, for your time and money, you can do better. I'd change the stars on my original review but unfortunately the edit option doesn't seem to allow me.

Must have for new students

This is the one book you will return to again and again. It's user friendly, concise, and offers solid examples of usage. It's the reference book that is so simple yet needed. I brought this to class one day and a few people asked to look at it. Now over half the class has bought one.The problem with many Arabic textbooks is they don't offer an explanation for the grammar, structure or usage. The philosphy is students will pick it up and figure it out. I like knowing why things are the way they are and how it all compares to English.This is one of a couple of books that anyone who is serious about learning arabic needs. It makes things less confusing and can be used as a quick reference when no one offers an explanation.

Excellent reference, not for starting Arabic

This book is a reference manual. It is packed full of information about Arabic verb conjugations and other grammatical information. The information is very spartan (the basic tenses, past and present, are pages 13-18), but it will show or remind the reader how things are supposed to work. It is an excellent companion to learning Arabic, or good for those with a background in languages who are curious "how Arabic works". However, if you are just starting other books like "The Arabic Alphabet" or "Teach Yourself Arabic Script", this book will go right over your head. It is a reference, not a grammar or primer in Arabic.

Excellent and Straightforward

In this book, the author does an excellent job of explaining the essentials of grammar without all of the fluff--very straightforward. Not for the beginning student -- although a great review for beginning students after their first full grammar course -- a gauge for what they have learned thus far. For students coming back after being away -- it is perfect. This author's other book, Mastering Arabic, while not perfect, is the best manual for learning Arabic that I've found (and I do a lot of looking).

Suitable for beginner and intermediate level, practical

This book is easy to use, well structured. Arabic verb system is rather complicated, but with this aid you can even study on your own Transliteration is good, too. Doesn't matter if you are native English speaker or not. It is an absolute pleasure to have a book which shows the Arabic vowels - no more guessing. This book should be used from beginner to intermediate level. The essentials of nouns, adjectives, prepositions etc. in the end make you wish there were another book covering those parts of Arabic grammar just like this book covers verbs. Good cross-references help reader to find more information on specific topics. This book is a must, if you plan to study Arabic or have just started.