How different is 'Egyptian Arabic' to Modern Standard Arabic?

Question

I'd love to learn Arabic. Specifically, Egyptian Arabic. (I've been to Egypt, loved it, and would love to go back) However, most courses/books I can find are for Modern Standard Arabic - so I was wondering how different they are/what the differences are?

And I'd also like to know how difficult Egyptian Arabic is to learn? I can speak English and Bosnian fluently already, but I think Arabic is a lot different.. And what are the easiest ways for me to learn Arabic? I have an Egyptian friend who tutors me a bit on MSN, but I can't talk to him on the phone or anything, so it's mainly just learning odd words and that.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Egyptian Arabic is what one would call "colloquial", which is used in everyday Arabic. MSA is the acronym for Modern Standard Arabic, meaning "proper" Arabic which is the equivalent of proper English, used in schools for writing papers. In addition, all Arabic newspapers and news on TV use 'proper' Arabic (MSA).

Egyptian Arabic is based on the MSA but with differences in pronunciation, use of idioms, and a couple of words borrowed from other languages. Egyptian Arabic would be the most commonly understood dialect among all Arabs because of the overwhelming number of movies, television series, and music videos in Egyptian Arabic. People who are exposed to the media will understand the Egyptian dialect. And it is one of the easiest dialects to learn and pronounce.

Any educated person who has studied grammar will understand MSA, but no one uses it in the sense of speaking to one another. Every country has its few dialects and the majority will understand one another for the most part. Egyptian Arabic is the most commonly learned dialect in colleges and universities here in America and there are great schools in Egypt if you are looking to do an immersion program. The American University in Cairo (http://www.aucegypt.edu/Pages/default.as... is one of the best places to add to your knowledge in Arabic after a couple of years studying the language at your university.

You need to learn MSA, even though no one else speaks it (except the news, and if you need to read). All Arabs (no matter what dialect) they speak in, understand MSA for the most part. If you learn the Moroccan dialect and talk to a Saudi, they won't understand a word you are saying. The MSA gives you a foundation of the root of the words used in everyday Arabic. Most Arabic words in all dialects are based of MSA words with a slight variation in pronunciation. Sure, people will laugh at you if you talk in MSA but they'll understand you.

If you know the way letters change in sound, you'll be well off. In MSA, "moon" is Qamar, Egyptian's say (Amar) and Saudis say (Gamar). You know that Egyptians swith their Q's with A's and Saudis switch their Q's with G's. This will make it easier for you. If you learn MSA and then learn which sounds change in different dialects, you'll be able to understand most dialects, and will be able to speak it as well.

But, if you really can't stand MSA, then I suggest you learn the Egyptian dialect. Absolutely the most understood among Arabs, but you won't understand other dialects, so you need to learn MSA first. The Arabic media is packed with Egyptian films and series, and songs, most, if not all Arabs understand the Egyptian dialect.

You need to learn MSA, even though no one else speaks it (except the news, and if you need to read). All Arabs (no matter what dialect) they speak in, understand MSA for the most part. If you learn the Moroccan dialect and talk to a Saudi, they won't understand a word you are saying. The MSA gives you a foundation of the root of the words used in everyday Arabic. Most Arabic words in all dialects are based of MSA words with a slight variation in pronunciation. Sure, people will laugh at you if you talk in MSA but they'll understand you.

If you know the way letters change in sound, you'll be well off. In MSA, "moon" is Qamar, Egyptian's say (Amar) and Saudis say (Gamar). You know that Egyptians swith their Q's with A's and Saudis switch their Q's with G's. This will make it easier for you. If you learn MSA and then learn which sounds change in different dialects, you'll be able to understand most dialects, and will be able to speak it as well.

But, if you really can't stand MSA, then I suggest you learn the Egyptian dialect. Absolutely the most understood among Arabs, but you won't understand other dialects, so you need to learn MSA first. The Arabic media is packed with Egyptian films and series, and songs, most, if not all Arabs understand the Egyptian dialect.

If you have time, you can skim through my other answer:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have other questions =]

Answer 2

I heard Egyptian Arabic has some loan words from French, Turkish and English. I do not know about Modern Standard Arabic but the sounds of it I do not like as much as the Egyptian Dialect. Also, I heard that Egyptians speak faster than other arabic speakers.

One of my goals is to learn Egyptian Arabic over Modern Standard Arabic because I think its maybe a little easier to know. Pimsuelers languages series has some Audio CDs regarding Egyptian Arabic.