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.
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