This course is addressed to absolute beginners as an introduction to the fundamentals of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) grammar and phonology. Students will be presented with Arabic script and orthographic rules and will acquire a basic vocabulary to engage in simple conversations and reading comprehension. The cycle also aims at providing a methodology which will enable participants to improve autonomously their production skills.

Content

The alphabet

Phonology and script

Scientific transliteration

Morphology in general

The article and suffix personal pronouns

Agreement rules

Nominal sentences

The construct phrase (iḍāfa)

The five nouns

Verbal sentences

Moods of the verb (indicative, subjunctive, jussive)

Imperative

Tenses: past, present, future

Negative verbal markers

The verb Laysa

Interrogatives

Functions of demonstratives

Verbal nouns and active/passive participles

The verb Kana

No prerequisite is needed. However, students should be acquainted with the basics of Italian grammar.

Learning achievements (Dublin descriptors)

Knowledge and understanding: students will learn the basic rules for reading and writing Arabic, as well as a basic vocabulary which will enable them to engage in simple conversations about familiar matters.

Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to comprehend basic expressions of daily use.

Making judgements: students will be able to discern between native language patterns and Arabic structures.

Communication: students will be able to express simple basic needs both in written and oral form.

Learning skills: this course will supply students with the necessary tools for deepening their knowledge of the Arabic language and culture.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The student can choose any reference grammar of Arabic. The suggested texts will be found in the dedicated section. Any further material will be provided by the professor.

Teaching

Theoretical explanations on verbs morphology and simple structures will be provided together with practical exercises to verify and validate the acquired knowledge. A special focus will be given to practicing receptive and productive skills, enabling students to engage in oral production. Further translation tasks will help underpin the grammatical structures addressed in the class. Synopsis and handouts will be distributed along the course.

Course books

Coursebooks:

1. Darghmouni, S. (2019). Kalima, parola: 1. (Kalima, parola / Sara Darghmouni.) Milano: Mondadori Education.

2. Manca, Agnese. Grammatica (teorico-Pratica) Di Arabo Letterario Moderno. Roma: Associazione nazionale di amicizia e di cooperazione italo-araba, 1999

The student may choose an alternative among the following  reference grammars:

1) GIULIANO MION; LUCA DANNA. GRAMMATICA DI ARABO STANDARD MODERNO;FONOLOGIA, MORFOLOGIA E SINTASSI. [S.l.]: HOEPLI, 2021.

2) Veccia Vaglieri L., Avino M., Grammatica teorico-pratica della lingua araba, Istituto per l’Oriente, Roma.

Foreign students who are unacquainted with Italian may also use:

3) Ryding C. K., “A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic”, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Further material will be provided during the lessons and uploaded on the Moodle platform.

Assessment

The final grade is the average between the average of the written texts' grades and the average of the oral texts' grades.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Students unable to attend classes are strongly recommended to get in touch with the professor prior to the beginning of the course.

Course books

The student should choose one among the following grammar references:

1) Manca, Agnese. Grammatica (teorico-Pratica) Di Arabo Letterario Moderno. Roma: Associazione nazionale di amicizia e di cooperazione italo-araba, 1999 (Suggested)

2) Veccia Vaglieri L., Avino M., Grammatica teorico-pratica della lingua araba, Istituto per l’Oriente, Roma.

Foreign students who are unacquainted with Italian may also use:

3) Ryding C. K., “A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic”, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Further material will be agreed with the professor prior to the assessment.

Assessment

The assessment is the same as for attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Extra study material, synopsis and exercises will be available on moodle.