Arabic Language Study Zone
Arabic. So many connotations, so many negative stereotypes, and so many bad memories. In order to honor the gravity of this language, our introduction to the Arabic Language Study Zone must begin with a speech. It seems Westerners and Arabs are at war in every area of life, such as politics, economics, religion, and culture. It's difficult to say how or when it all started, but today we are faced with a serious clash of civilizations, one that is hurting many innocent people everyday. Whether it's the merciless hatred of Al-Qaeda, the suspicion surrounding Al-Jazeera, the wars in Iraq and Israel, or the fact that Islam is touted as hating everything and everyone, we as language learners need to stand up and fight against these destructive machines. The world is a soup of propaganda and in order for us to break down the walls and reach out to one another, we're going to need to use a weapon far more powerful than any bomb or missile: the ability to listen and communicate. Arabic...is a beautiful language. Spoken in twenty-two countries and spanning a distance from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, it is both a prevalent and highly important language in today's world. The Arabic script is one of the most beautiful scripts in the world with dozens of calligraphic traditions. The Arabic language is literally an art in and of itself! In the Arabic Language study Zone we will be learning Modern Standard Arabic, which is spoken in Saudi Arabia and used in the Arabic media. There are many dialects in the Arabic language, but it is important to learn Modern Standard first so that you can communicate effectively and efficiently. So let's get excited! We're about to make a dent in society.
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