Easy Arabic Script

by Jane Wightwick, Mahmoud Gaafar

An exceptionally clear and accessible reference and workbook for students of Arabic Whether you are a complete beginner or just want to sharpen your writing skills, you’ll learn quickly from Easy Arabic Script . Clear explanations and graphics, along with exercises and activities will help you develop fluency in both reading and writing Arabic.

Genres: Language, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2005

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I'm bucking the trend here, but I'm only finding this book useful as extra practice. If I were trying to teach myself how to write in Arabic solely using this book, I think I would be struggling right now. For one thing, it leaves out key information - for example, it's the only book I've seen so far on learning to write Arabic that doesn't even mention that the Arabic letter 'm' can be written with the circle above or below the line when it is disconnected or at the beginning of a word, and it frequently uses letters on the example signs/etc that haven't been covered by the book yet. Similarly, it references things that the book hasn't covered yet in the writing exercises, and refers you to further back in the book (sometimes 50 pages later!) if you want to read more about this thing you're already writing.

As another book to use as a source for practice words, it's fine, and that's what I've been using it for. But if I weren't taking an Arabic class and using another, clearer book (Beginner's Arabic Script), I'd be so lost just using this one.

[Arukiyomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In preparation for heading out to Saudi to work, I started to teach myself Arabic. First thing to master is the beautiful script. My local library had a copy of this book which I think is a very good, succint way to start learning not only how to read but also how to write Arabic.

The strengths of this book like in the fact that they teach you not just the standard printed text but also help you master reading and writing handwriting. I probably won’t have much cause to read handwriting in Arabic but I do know that the best way to learn a script for me is to write it over and over again. Having done that, I usually remember it. This book helped me do just that.

The one thing I think I’d add is more examples for the learner to read. There are some supplementary chapters at the end which do contain examples of signs and notices and so on. But I’d rather have more of these as the book develops so that you get more of a feel that your understanding of Arabic script is actually growing.

This is a book primarily aimed at those who want to write the script though and there are plenty of good examples of reading in the companion book by the same authors which I’m currently working through: Mastering Arabic. Both this little book and the main coursebook are excellent resources for the student of Arabic. Highly recommended.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book teaches the letters of the Arabic alphabet, and that is about it. It may have a role as a supplementary workbook to Wightwick & Gafaar’s celebrated Arabic textbook. However, as an introduction to the intricacies of the Arabic alphabet and a firm foundation for reading unfamiliar words in this script where short vowels are infamously absent, Mastering Arabic Script can’t compete with John Mace’s Teach Yourself Beginner’s Arabic Script, a similar book produced around the same time.

Mace’s book not only teaches the letters of the script themselves, it also aims to give the reader a sense of Arabic root structure, so that when one is confronted with little more than the three or four-consonant skeleton of a word, one can intuitively fill in the vowels. Wightwick & Gafaar’s book, on the other hand, lacks all that, presumably because they think they eventually get around to it in their textbook. Moreover, quite a lot of Mastering Arabic Script consists of blank space for the reader to write in as he or she practices the letters, but it serves as mere padding and there isn’t much here in this book at all.

[Giuliana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Muy bien la parte de las letras individuales. El capítulo sobre las combinaciones es significativamente más corto que el resto del libro (cuando debería ocupar bastantes páginas) y la información resulta insuficiente para poder entenderlas por la falta de explicación sobre estas combinaciones y sus trazos. Las ejercitaciones son muy acotadas y no ayudan a que el estudiante pueda ir incorporando las letras y sus combinaciones de manera paulatina. Se pide que se realicen ciertas combinaciones de letras sin que esa combinación sea una palabra y faltan algunas combinaciones importantes, como mim+mim (م+م).

[Barce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book but not complete. You will also need "Writing Arabic: A Practical Introduction" by TF Mitchell. On top of that emojis written in Arabic script in a note and slang won't be covered, so alas there cannot be a complete guide to Arabic script. Still this is a really good book - enough to get by in the fruit & vegetable markets of the Arab world.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent tips for students of the Arabic script who are ready to improve their writing speed, accuracy, and some extra tips for reading common shorthand conventions of the language. Some additional activities to keep you practising. However, it only touches on the concept of calligraphy and doesn't provide further tips or resources for taking your writing to the next level.

[Angelar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This intense but clearly-written book teaches you how to write in Arabic ruq'a script, roughly analogous to graduating from printed letters to cursive as an English-speaking student. I wouldn't recommend it if you can't already read printed Arabic (nashk or similar), but if you're literate in Arabic and want to learn to read and write everyday handwriting, this is a great way to do so.

I especially enjoy the examples from real-life printed material and signs, as well as the fact that they included the stroke order for writing the letters. The "Master Calligrapher" tips give you extra insight into highly-stylized glosses of certain combinations, which is ultra-useful for both reading and writing.

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you already know the Arabic alif-baa and want to learn about the handwritten script, then this is a good book, but it's not really the best book if you're just beginning to learn Arabic and don't yet know how to write it. I am reading it since I'm interested in Arabic calligraphy and for that purpose it's a great book.

[Eric Steere · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, two times through this book and then I had my first Arabic lesson, primed me great. Got the whole alphabet (including sounds) in one go under his prompt. Great little book, gonna keep returning to it.

[F9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well organized and easy to follow. This might be difficult for someone with little to no knowledge of the Arabic alphabet. Overall a very helpful book for those who want to write script properly.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent resource for any newcomer to the arabic script

[Lily]

alif, ba, ta....