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NashvilleTele
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Pick up a book by say, Edmund Burke, and read a page or two. Then pick up the current issue of the New York Times and read one of the editorials. That is roughly the difference between Classical Arabic and "Modern Standard Arabic". Modern Standard Arabic is just the contemporary usage of Classical Arabic. It uses the same grammar and vocabulary (yes you are expected to use correct case markings -- just listen to any news cast). Current grammatical and lexical choices differ somewhat from what an older author would have used, but that's a matter of style and erudition more than anything. A more erudite contemporary writer will draw on more obscure words and grammatical options.

As the previous answer explained, "MSA" originated as a pedagogical term in the US defense sector. It'sIts aim is to focus on the most commonly-used words, structures and styles, the sort of Arabic you will encounter when reading a newspaper; it doesn't mean the less-commonly used ones are considered invalid or unacceptable. Arab pedagogy does not know this distinction. An Arabic reading book will teach 20th century and 10th century prose in the same curriculum. It will comment on differences in style but it will not refer to one as "Classical" and the other as "MSA". Ever wonder why you never hear of "MSA poetry"? Now you know.

Pick up a book by say, Edmund Burke, and read a page or two. Then pick up the current issue of the New York Times and read one of the editorials. That is roughly the difference between Classical Arabic and "Modern Standard Arabic". Modern Standard Arabic is just the contemporary usage of Classical Arabic. It uses the same grammar and vocabulary (yes you are expected to use correct case markings -- just listen to any news cast). Current grammatical and lexical choices differ somewhat from what an older author would have used, but that's a matter of style and erudition more than anything. A more erudite contemporary writer will draw on more obscure words and grammatical options.

As the previous answer explained, "MSA" originated as a pedagogical term in the US defense sector. It's aim is to focus on the most commonly-used words, structures and styles, the sort of Arabic you will encounter when reading a newspaper; it doesn't mean the less-commonly used ones are considered invalid or unacceptable. Arab pedagogy does not know this distinction. An Arabic reading book will teach 20th century and 10th century prose in the same curriculum. It will comment on differences in style but it will not refer to one as "Classical" and the other as "MSA". Ever wonder why you never hear of "MSA poetry"? Now you know.

Pick up a book by say, Edmund Burke, and read a page or two. Then pick up the current issue of the New York Times and read one of the editorials. That is roughly the difference between Classical Arabic and "Modern Standard Arabic". Modern Standard Arabic is just the contemporary usage of Classical Arabic. It uses the same grammar and vocabulary (yes you are expected to use correct case markings -- just listen to any news cast). Current grammatical and lexical choices differ somewhat from what an older author would have used, but that's a matter of style and erudition more than anything. A more erudite contemporary writer will draw on more obscure words and grammatical options.

As the previous answer explained, "MSA" originated as a pedagogical term in the US defense sector. Its aim is to focus on the most commonly-used words, structures and styles, the sort of Arabic you will encounter when reading a newspaper; it doesn't mean the less-commonly used ones are considered invalid or unacceptable. Arab pedagogy does not know this distinction. An Arabic reading book will teach 20th century and 10th century prose in the same curriculum. It will comment on differences in style but it will not refer to one as "Classical" and the other as "MSA". Ever wonder why you never hear of "MSA poetry"? Now you know.

Source Link
NashvilleTele
NashvilleTele
  • 195
  • 3

Pick up a book by say, Edmund Burke, and read a page or two. Then pick up the current issue of the New York Times and read one of the editorials. That is roughly the difference between Classical Arabic and "Modern Standard Arabic". Modern Standard Arabic is just the contemporary usage of Classical Arabic. It uses the same grammar and vocabulary (yes you are expected to use correct case markings -- just listen to any news cast). Current grammatical and lexical choices differ somewhat from what an older author would have used, but that's a matter of style and erudition more than anything. A more erudite contemporary writer will draw on more obscure words and grammatical options.

As the previous answer explained, "MSA" originated as a pedagogical term in the US defense sector. It's aim is to focus on the most commonly-used words, structures and styles, the sort of Arabic you will encounter when reading a newspaper; it doesn't mean the less-commonly used ones are considered invalid or unacceptable. Arab pedagogy does not know this distinction. An Arabic reading book will teach 20th century and 10th century prose in the same curriculum. It will comment on differences in style but it will not refer to one as "Classical" and the other as "MSA". Ever wonder why you never hear of "MSA poetry"? Now you know.