
Thirteen Ways to Make A Plural: Preparing to Learn Arabic
Mae Ghalwash
Jacob Halpin
2020, AUC Press, 978-9-77416-952-6. $12.95 pb.
If you’re contemplating learning Arabic, this gem, written by a British diplomat, is a must. It's not a textbook but a roadmap for the Arabic learning process. Drawing on his experiences and those of teachers and fellow students, Halpin helps readers determine their goals and chart their route. Arabic’s vast vocabulary and complex grammar render it an arduous undertaking. Thirteen Ways doesn't teach either, but it identifies deceptively simple but crucial rules and pitfalls to avoid. It discusses choosing between Arabic forms, enhancing immersion experiences and study techniques for optimal learning. Halpin warns Arabic is hard but reassures readers it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed and confused. And, amazingly, he pinpoints when those feelings will arise. Halpin is engaging and delivers with clarity. Thirteen Ways won't make Arabic easy, but it will clear a path and bring the objective into view.
You may also be interested in...
Children’s Book Documents Rise of Umm Kulthum, Egypt’s Star of the East, As Declaration of National Identity
Illustrator Rhonda Roumani presents an illustrative biography of legendary Egyptian singer and cultural icon Umm Kulthum.Essays Unpack the Evolving Hajj and Umrah Experience
This volume of essays juxtaposes historical first-hand narratives of Hajj and Umrah journeys with oral interviews of contemporary pilgrims to show the transformative power of storytelling.In War and Peace, Book Explores How Rome and Persia Remained Frenemies
Book Review: In his latest scholarly work, Roman historian Adrian Goldsworthy reduces Persian and Roman longevity to simply an ever-evolving coexistence.