Expert: Hanin - 2/10/2010

Question
Hi, i am currently learning arabic (the standard one) i am arab but i have never really been exposed to the arabic language so i am now taking the matter into my own hands. my question for you is that because i have been strongly advised to learn the standard arabic, is it easier for me later to undertstand different dialects especially the egyptian one or do i have to learn dialects like it is another language because i do see differenes in words and sentences from one arabic dialect to another. thank you

Answer
Marhaban Loubna..

Yes, that is absolutely right. If you learn the standard Arabic (some call it classical Arabic) you will be able to communicate with people all the way from Morocco to Iraq. On the other hand if you learn just one dialect you will only be able to communicate with the speakers of that dialect. It might of course be a bit hard in the beginning to understand the differences between the dialects but don't worry you will not only get used to it but figure it out yourself, as all dialects are after all derived from standard Arabic.

Good luck with it.