My school is offering an intro to Arabic class next semester, anyone tackle this language before? and how much fun will i have learning it(i enjoy learning languages)?

Well I dont actually speak Arabic, but I've live in an arabic speaking-country and wish I had learnt it... it's really interesting, plus... you get to learn a whole new alphabet!! I SAY GO FOR IT!!!!!

I menat to say "I've lived" :doh:

I lived in Malta for 5 years and learned Maltese fluently - it is NOT Arabic but certainly has been influenced by it. Many basic phases in Maltese can be understood by someone who knows Arabic. Anyhow, it was a really interesting language to learn :)

:stoked: ITS ONLY THE BEST LANGUAGE EVER!

I've been studying it since freshman year (junior now), and its hard work but it is one of the most beautiful, rhythmic, expressive languages I've ever heard... It's hard work. Its hard work. but the way I look at it, if something's easy everyone else would do it. DONT drop the class first semester, learning a new alphabet is tricky and all the new consonant sounds and learning to hear the difference between the long and short vowels is tough but stick to it.. It doesnt get easier per se, but it becomes less of a mind fuck. Anyway I was really frustrated first semester. Are you in uni or how are you taking it? I'm at UT, our profs are really top-notch. Why do you want to take arabic?

Yeah im at Uni. its just an intro class to it, i guess they figure if they get a good turn out they will offer more. I am currently learning spanish. I enjoy learning languages and want to get a feel of a different variety. I partially want to learn because it would help me in my career, but also because i want to be able to learn about the culture.

I'd say go for it. From what I understand, Farsi is another difficult, but high-demand language as well. My uncle learned it, and lived in Tehran for 6 months in the mid-70's. Granted, that was pre-Shah overthrow, but still...


I have a hard enough time confusing Spanish and Italian (I've spent the past hour hammering out Italian I homework for class manana... there i go again!!! :doh: ) but if you have an opportunity to learn a language, go for it with gusto!

I have to admit, it's one of the tougher languages I've tackled... I was learning it while in Saudi Arabia, but because of work demands (two embassy bombings) I had to quit. I figure I'm gonna go back to something easier for a bit (Spanish and French) before I attempt Arabic again. (At this point, Farsi may be a better choice - wonder what the weather's like in Iran... :ninja: )

Arabic is one of the toughest languages you'll ever attempt...and is widely considered alongside Cantonese and Japanese to be one of the most difficult languages on earth. That said, you'll definitely have an absolute blast, and should you decide to travel to the Middle East (or the so-called "greater Middle East"), Arabic will obviously be a huge help. :) I recommend everyone see the ME at least once in their life :D It's a mind altering experience, make no mistake!

Good luck, and good choice! :cheers: