The Arabic Language

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.