Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is one of the most widespread forms that non-Arabs learn, who are interested in learning the Arabic language. They are eager to be proficient in MSA due to several reasons.
For instance, some of them need to visit Arab countries, so they will be able to communicate with Arabs. Additionally, most non-Arabic Muslims look forward to fluency in Arabic as they can learn Quran and Islamic studies.
It’s worth mentioning that Arabic has mainly two forms besides MSA: Classical Arabic, the formal type that you find in the Quran, and Colloquial Arabic, which is the informal dialect Arab people speak all over the Middle East.
If you’re among English speakers who desire to learn Modern Standard Arabic, you can find all the details you need about it before you get started in this article.
Table of Contents
What is Modern Standard Arabic?
MSA is the formal and modern type of Arabic language. Its roots go back to the Classical form or Pre-Modern that old Arabs used in the 7th century.
Modern Standard Arabic is also known as Literary Arabic. Arabs named it “Al-Fusha”. It’s the main form that Arab students learn at schools. Moreover, it’s the popular type that is written in newspapers, books, and magazines and is spoken in broadcasting news on both Radio stations and TV.
Arabs lean on MSA as a formal language version as it is simpler than Classical Arabic. It is suitable for their contemporary lives, unlike the Pre-Modern form that contains complicated words that need interpretation.
Is Modern standard Arabic Useful?
There are many reasons why you should learn MSA:
- MSA helps to learn the correct grammar of Arabic.
- MSA learners can understand official documents such as books, blogs, and the news.
- Academics, who are interested in studying the Arab region and Arabic history and heritage can read and take advantage of studies about these topics.
- Through learning MSA, learners can understand Arab culture.
- Learning MSA enables learners to know local dialects.
- MSA learners can follow Arabic news on TV, Radio, and in newspapers & magazines.
Difference Between Modern Standard Arabic and Dialects
The main difference between MSA and local dialects is outlined in the following differences:
Modern Standard Arabic
- Modern Standard Arabic is the form that All Arab countries use in formal writing and speaking among Arabs. It’s the Academic form of language.
- According to the United Nations, Modern Standard Arabic is one of its official languages.
- MSA is the primary source of learning Arabic grammar structure and the guide to reading and comprehending formal texts.
Arabic Dialects
- Local dialects vary from one Arab country to another. Arabs use them in their daily conversations, whether in speaking or writing.
- Learning local dialects helps non-native Arabs communicate in the same slang that people speak in their country. For instance, if you’re proficient in the Egyptian-Arabic dialect, you can communicate with Egyptians when you travel to Egypt.
Modern Standard Arabic vs Classical Arabic
Even though Modern Standard and Classical Arabic are both formal forms of language there are a few differences between them:
- Modern Standard Arabic is commonly used in Media, but Classical Arabic is the form of the old literature.
- If you want to learn how to perfect in linguistic skills, MSA is the recommended version. On the other side, Classical Arabic fits those who desire to understand Quran and prophetic narrations.
- MSA is simpler than Classic Arabic as it contains contemporary words that are easy to understand.
- MSA has many linguistic borrowings from Europe countries, unlike Classical Arabic.
- In MSA texts, you’ll find that diacritics aren’t common in contrast to Classical Arabic.
What Countries Speak Modern Standard Arabic?
Modern Standard Arabic is the official language in the following countries:
- United Arab Emirates.
- Oman.
- Egypt.
- Yemen.
- Sudan.
- Palestine.
- Qatar.
- Bahrain.
- Lebanon.
- Jordan.
- Iraqi.
- Morocco.
- Libya.
- Syria.
- Tunisia.
- Kuwait.
- Chad.
- Saudi Arabia.
- Algeria.
- Djibouti.
- Somalia.
- Mauritania.
Should I learn Modern Standard Arabic or Egyptian Arabic?
Some non-Arabs tend to start learning Arabic by identifying the Egyptian dialect as it’s the simplest form of the Arabic language.
However, it’s recommended to begin with Modern Standard Arabic as you can learn the official form of All Arab countries.
Furthermore, you’ll be acquainted with Arabic basics, so you can form a sentence with proper grammar, access Arab affairs, and discuss different topics with native speakers.
When it comes to learning Egyptian dialects, you can’t understand Arabic literature if you’re interested in accessing poems and find out that you use words that don’t exist in the original language.
Moreover, Egyptian dialects will be useless for you if you want to read Quran or any other book, and you won’t understand the Arabic news.
While reading or even hearing official Arabic, you’ll find many words that seem complex to you, and you’ll spend much time searching for their meanings.
Is Modern Standard Arabic Easy to Learn?
After you’ve found out that you should learn Modern Standard Arabic, you inevitably need to know if it’s easy or complicated. In reality, you’ll find challenges when you start to acknowledge the basics. That’s the same happens when you learn any new language.
MSA is not easy to learn as you’re accessing the official language that is the guide to the fundamentals of Arabic.
Modern Standard Arabic has a different style of English. You write the letters from right to left, and they are mostly aren’t separated.
The pronunciation is totally different from any language. Grammar has many rules that require constant practicing and studying such as diacritics.
However, It’s not complicated to be proficient in all linguistic skills in Arabic. The learning process relies on your patience, effort, and regular time for learning.
The whole journey depends on the goal you aim for and how much you’re passionate about Arabic.
How long does it take to learn modern standard Arabic?
Learning a foreign language takes a lot of time which varies from one learner to another according to the period of studying.
The Foreign Service Institute indicated that learning Arabic takes nearly 2200 hours.
This estimated period is enough for English learners to reach an advanced level in Arabic. You can spend 700 hours learning if you need to be familiar with the basics.
How to Learn Modern Standard Arabic?
The most important question that you need to get its answer is the best way to learn Modern Standard Arabic.
The easiest method is to join a professional course and learn with highly-qualified tutors to follow a guide that helps you reach your goal.
You can achieve it online through Bayan Al Quran Fusha Arabic course which is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners.
This course will teach the best methods of mastering MSA to learn efficiently and get hands-on experience as you’ll practice speaking with native speakers.
Moreover, you won’t have to pay fees for the first session as you’ll get a free trial after registering.
Final Thoughts about MSA
Modern Standard Arabic is the contemporary form that All Arab countries use in formal writing and speaking. It’s derived from Classical or Quranic Arabic and suitable for those who desire to learn how to write and read with grammar-based language.
MSA is not local like Egyptian, Gulf, and Levantine dialects, which Arabs use in daily conversations.
It requires much time to master its skills as it represents the official version. You can learn it through online courses with the best-certified tutors like Bayan Al Quran.
