The letter ع ‘ayn
**The Arabic Language **
اللغة العربية** **
Arabic belongs to the Semitic family of languages. Currently spoken languages in this family, besides Arabic, include Modern Hebrew, Amharic, Tigre and Tigrinya, Syriac, several Aramaic dialects, and Maltese. Arabic is spoken by about 422 million people (native and non-native), making it one of the 5 most spoken languages in the world. It is also used in various degrees in the prayers and recitations of more than 2 billion Muslims all over the world.
In the current climate, audio and video sources are on the rise, but reading remains a key skill for language learners. For those learners who already love to read (in any language), extensive reading can be a powerhouse for their progress toward increased proficiency in Arabic. This 2-part series is based on research in language teaching, with a focus on learners of Arabic whose L1 (first language) is English. It is intended for both educators and learners of Arabic (whether in a classroom or in an independent learning environment).
Introduction This is one of my favorite pieces of art. Those of us who are partial to the color combination blue and white may already know of Dutch Delftware or English willow pattern dishes. Both are seventeenth and eighteenth century European porcelain designs inspired by Chinese pinyin, literally ‘blue flowers’ wares, dating from the fourteenth century. Chinese porcelain also inspired pottery styles in the Islamic world, especially in Iznik (in the Ottoman Empire, today Turkey).
