Modern Written Arabic: A Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars) [Paperback]

Adrian Gully (Author), Mike G. Carter (Author), Elsaid Badawi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415130859 | ISBN-13: 978-0415130851 | Publication Date: February 2003

Modern Written Arabic is a complete reference guide to the grammar of modern written Arabic.

The Grammar presents an accessible and systematic description of the language, focusing on real patterns of use in contemporary written Arabic, from street signs to literature. Examples are drawn from authentic texts, both literary and journalistic, published since 1990.

This comprehensive work is an invaluable resource for intermediate and advanced students of Arabic and anyone interested in Arabic linguistics and the way modern written Arabic works.

Features include:

• comprehensive coverage of all parts of speech
• full cross-referencing
• authentic examples, given in Arabic script, transliteration and translation
• a detailed index.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A major contribution to the field of Arabic studies. Modern Written Arabic is a fantastic achievement from a team of three highly experienced and specialist authors ... An excellent book with a great deal to offer ... There are huge riches to be found, many of which are not discussed in any other currently available volume.' – BAAL News

Praise for Routledge Modern Grammars -

‘The entire series is outstanding. Why? Because it's totally practical without getting stuck in grammatical obscurities. It reflects the actual, contemporary use of the language as it is used by ordinary, educated speakers.’ - Harold Goodman, author of the Michel Thomas courses

Language Notes

Text: English, Arabic --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415130859
• ISBN-13: 978-0415130851
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #467,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential grammar for the advanced-intermediate student, April 28, 2004

By 

J. E. S. Leake "sailor and scholar" (Offshore, Persian Gulf) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Written Arabic: A Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars) (Paperback)

This volume is perhaps the most important contemporary Arabic descriptive grammar in English. It is based on texts from the 1990s with a preference for texts other than high literature. In its 800 pages, it covers most of modern Arabic grammar and syntax.

As a reference grammar, it will not be necessary (perhaps not even useful) to the student until he is at least at intermediate level. The grammatical terminology is highly technical - there is a useful glossary of terms in the back - and has rather idiosyncratic variations from terms that have become standard over the last century and a half (e.g. the 'accusative' case becomes the 'dependant' case). This is annoying: more seriously in my opinion, no attempt at all is made to provide native Arabic terms. Grammar is illustrated by a wealth of examples, presented in unpointed Arabic script, in a formal transliteration (i.e. with i'rab transliterated) and in translation (sometimes two where the idiom differs vastly between English and Arabic). This is excellent, and mitigates my strongest criticism of the book - it is littered with typos, especially in the Arabic script. Fortunately with the transliteration, one has a check. It is disappointing that Routledge who, after all, are charging a vast sum equivalent to a Harissowitz or Brill book for the hard-back edition haven't tried to emulate the editorial standards of the serious academic presses.

However, despite complaints, this is a work that will amply repay study. I would still recommend the student to use a good teaching grammar - I like Haywood and Nahmad - before and as a guide to 'recommended' usage, especially as Haywood and Nahmad has reference to Arabic terminology (Wright could serve as a terminological reference for the more advanced Classical Arabic student, and indeed goes far beyond H&N in covering terminology). Finally, thanks to Routledge for bringing this book out at a price that a student can (just about) afford.

Karin Ryding's A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic, which I thought might be comparable, is a fairly normal reference grammar of MSA. I personally prefer Ron Buckley's grammar,Modern Literary Arabic, to Ryding. It compliments Modern Written Arabic, and would be better as a first reference.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mecca, September 4, 2006

By 

Recep Sami Ciner (Ankara Turkey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modern Written Arabic: A Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars) (Paperback)

this is meant for upper-intermediate and advanced learners.Descriptive grammar with full transliteration of the sentences.exhaustive details.hundreds of example sentences.I suggest to buy this book together with 'a reference grammar of modern standard arabic' by karin ryding to get the maximum.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, but could be more reader-friendly, April 1, 2010

By 

Khalid Ikram (Potomac, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modern Written Arabic: A Comprehensive Grammar (Comprehensive Grammars) (Paperback)

This is a very comprehensive reference grammar of the written Arabic language. I applaud the authors' industry and erudition. At the same time, I have to say that it is not very reader-friendly. The language is consistently technical, and the index does not make it easy to find the information required. I understand that the book is aimed at advanced students, but the same information is provided, much more accessibly, in Karin C. Ryding's "A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic," and Ron Buckley's "Modern Literary Arabic - A Reference Grammar." Thoroughness does not necessarily preclude readibility.