Colloquial Arabic: Levantine

This text is intended for use in an introductory course to colloquial spoken Arabic as heard in the Levant (the Arabic countries of the eastern Mediterranean and Jordan). The text avoids the Arabic alphabet, instead adopting a transliterated version of Arabic that uses English keyboard symbols. It first describes the units of spoken Arabic and then presents idioms, terms of address and reference, proverbs, courtesy expressions, societal concepts, and other elements of conversational Arabic. Appendices provide information on grammar, offer guidance the Arabic script (for beginners), and present a brief English-Arabic vocabulary. Aid in pronunciation is available in the form of a separate CD or MP3s for purchase. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)