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