Case Eats Dates

Destroy the idea that you have to be constantly working or grinding in order to be successful. Embrace the concept that rest, recovery, and reflection are essential parts of the progress towards a successful and ultimately happy life.

Arabic: أحب الخريف

An addition regarding the learning process: if you don’t know a Semitic language yet be prepared to deal with frustration occasionally as there initially is no way for you to guess the meaning of a word based on previous knowledge you have of related languages. You will not be able to recognize verbs and nouns either as you might be able to in a language related to the ones you already speak. However! When you experience this frustration remember that this is normal and please know that Arabic is a very algebraic language due to its root system. That means every word is based on a (usually) three letter root that indicates the meaning or the word field a word is related to. By adding more letters according to certain patterns that you will encounter and learn on your language learning journey you can build a verb related to a noun you know and guess the meanings of words you have never seen before. An easy example for how this works is the root k-t-b that describes everything related to ‘writing’. From these three letters you can make kitaab (book), kaatib (writer), kataba/yaktub (to write), kitaabah (writing), maktab (office), maktabah (library) and many more. Sometimes the relation between the root and a word based on it is less obvious but to me, that’s the most fun part! Generally speaking, this system is something you will get used to once you learn more Arabic and you will learn how to use it to your advantage. I have been studying Arabic for a year now and just returned from a three week language class in Morocco where I was forced to speak Arabic every day. While I am nowhere near advanced or even proficient yet I’d still describe myself as conversational since I understand a lot when people are speaking MSA (Modern Standard Arabic) with me (my class in Morocco was held completely in Arabic; new words were explained in Arabic, grammar was explained in Arabic, discussions were had in Arabic) and thanks to my class I can sort of reply and get my point across most of the time, too even if a native speaker would say things differently. Of course you need to be prepared to work hard and put a lot of effort in but that applies to every language. Is Arabic worth the effort? Yes. Like Essi said, it will open up a lot of countries and new cultures to you; I had many amazing short conversations with taxi drivers in Morocco who were all delighted I was interested in their language (I even met one who had lived in Germany at some point and spoke German). I met a lovely woman in the restaurant I always had lunch at and ended up becoming friends with her and getting invited to visit her and her daughter in Marrakech where the daughter studies sound engineering - all because I could have conversations with her in Arabic. It is definitely worth the effort and the frustration because there are so many moments like this that make it worth it. You will also get to read amazing poems and books in their original language that makes them come alive more than a translation ever could. If you learn Arabic you don’t just get a language, you get centuries worth of history and literature and culture. Should you have any more questions about learning Arabic feel free to message me and I’ll try to answer them to the best of my abilities! I hope you end up choosing the language that’s the best fit for you personally and enjoy learning it as much as I am enjoying learning Arabic. :)

i am on my 6th year of taking Arabic classes, had one every semester in college except one, and throughout my master’s program, Qur’an Arabic classes. I love it. It’s one of my passions. I also love the people you get to meet using the language and how much it means to them that you even say hello or goodbye in their language. Goodbye, is not just goodbye. In Arabic, it translates as “goodbye with safety/peace” and that is just beautiful.

You know you’re tired when you take a sip of coffee and say, “it doesn’t taste the best” but I’ll drink it. I don’t want to lesson plan. I am so ready for this three day weekend. In reality, I think teaching tomorrow will be fun since its on Islam, but I am just not focused today.

Nope. Nope. Can’t drink it. I got paid today and I’m heading to pick up some starbucks coffee. lol