3 ms·
This is sort of true, but short vowels at the end of words (the case system) are not generally useful for non-Muslim language learners. Why is this? Well, in t
by Mvandenbergh 15y ago
This is sort of true, but short vowels at the end of words (the case system) are not generally useful for non-Muslim language learners.
Why is this? Well, in the Qur'an, they are written (as are all short vowels). Also in some voweled classical Arabic poetry. But even in formal, MSA, they aren't pronounced!
So you have a grammatical marker that isn't written, and isn't pronounced outside of certain unique contexts.
You can converse in fluent MSA, read virtually any non-religious text, and never need to see these case markers. Of course for Muslims (the majority of Arabic learners) they are important.
- Cyph0n 15y agoAgreed. I only mentioned this to show that Arabic is complex, especially for people who want to study the language in detail. In older times however, most Arabs used to incorporate these short vowels into everyday speech. It was normal for them. I find this somewhat fascinating because if I or any other casual speaker were to attempt to do this, we'd have to pause for at least a few seconds before each word to figure out which short vowel goes at the end of it. It's pretty sad that Arabic speakers have gone backwards instead of advancing in the language, but I guess it's a price we must pay.