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Should I learn MSA or a dialect (ARABIC LANGUAGE)?

I live in New Zealand and my reason for wanting to learn Arabic is so that I can communicate with immigrants who come to New Zealand, as well as to learn more about Arab culture. There is not one large group of people from any one Arab country where I live. After thinking about it for a long time, I was sure I wanted to learn MSA so that I could communicate with anybody. But it does seem a little less personal and since it's very academic, would I still be best to study a well-knowen dialect? (Levantine perhaps? Although that itself is a broad term?) I could probably find a tutor for 'Levantine', but there are so many less resources for learning dialects that since I do a lot of self study, it might be too hard. I haven't even heard of dialect dictionaries, how would I look words up?

1 Answer

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  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Your should probably start with MSA, then switch to a dialect after your are at a more advanced level. You will be in a much better position to learn to speak a dialect and to understand many.

    PS. at any rate, there is absolutely no point in learning the wrong dialect, should you go for it anyway, you need first investigate what dialect ppl are using.

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