Colloquial Arabic of Egypt (Colloquial Series) (Loose Leaf)

by R. Mcguirk (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
`Covers vast ground ... The reading material and the presentation of grammar in this book are its main asset and contribution. - Azmi R. Megally, Language Monthly

`Excellent glossary ... the most comprehensive primer of Egyptian colloquial Arabic yet in existence. It is a model of its kind. The expressions chosen cover a wide field and are up to date ... the essential value of this commendable work that fills the gap between standard grammar and phrasebook. - R.A.S. Irving, The Linguist --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Description
Colloquial Arabic of Egypt is easy to use and completely up-to-date. Specially written by experienced teachers for self-study or class use, the course offers you a step-by-step approach to the written and spoken Arabic of Egypt.

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Product Details

• Loose Leaf: 200 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (November 3, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415000726
• ISBN-13: 978-0415000727
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.6 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,587,451 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Tool -- Book AND Cassette, June 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Colloquial Arabic of Egypt (Colloquial Series) (Audio Cassette)

I've used this series in Egyptian and other dialects to brush up before visiting various places. It is excellent to get conversational/survival skills up to speed in a short time. It is also good to get an ear for certain dialects and see their quirks.

I already had experience with Arabic before using this. Regardless, I would warn that it is ESSENTIAL that you acquire BOTH the book and the cassette. I can't see either as useful separately. The marketing for this, especially on the web, is fairly vague since they are available as a set and as casette and book separately.

There is no reason why this wouldn't be a good gateway for a person to learn aural arabic skills. The book is done entirely in transliterated latin text -- no Arabic script. And it works fairly well, especially if all you want to do is get around in Egyptian.

I recommend this set. If you have a limited budget, this set and a Lonely Plant or Rough Guide Egyptian phase book would get you pretty far. ...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good starter book, November 25, 2001

By	Christine "chrizzan" (OSLO Norway) - See all my reviews

I was completely new to the arabic language when i bought this book. It is divided into sixteen lessons, with pronounciation exercises, grammar and reading practise. I think it is a good starter book, but be sure to get the accompanying tape. One drawback for me was that only a small amount of the words are repeated on the tape.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple and easy, July 11, 2002

By	JADavis (OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colloquial Arabic of Egypt (Routledge Colloquial Series) (Paperback)

I have read reviews of people saying that they only bought the book or a tape. Now, I bought both at the same time and have been using them together. I have found the methods used very helpful, and the only drawback to the set is that a large part of the vocabulary is not on tape, so after you get used to the sounds that letters make you will have to guess what the words not said on tape sound like, although because the transliterations are fairly easy, it is not a difficult task. Overall, a great way to learn the language.