NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Senior Lecturer of Arabic Nasser Isleem and Associate Professor and Director of Asian Studies at the College of Charleston Ghazi Abuhakema co-authored the first illustrative book of its kind in the field of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL). Introducing 40 Arabic well-known phrases, expressions, and wisdom quotes that reflect the Arabic language and culture, both artistically and aesthetically, Arabic Language and Culture Through Art adds a sense of joy and entertainment to learning.
Available for purchase on Amazon, the book includes an index that lists all 40 expressions alphabetically translated into English for users’ reference. Key to the appeal of Arabic Language and Culture Through Art are the visuals, which can be used and posted by both Arabic speakers and learners as teaching aids. The designs can also serve as aesthetic objects for offices, living rooms, classrooms, and educational centers, while the book itself is a great fit as a coffee-table book.
Commenting on the release, Nasser Isleem said: “Our aim was to ensure that learners need not be language experts or highly proficient to understand the expressions, which overlap with similar expressions in English and maybe many other languages. The book will help them deepen their knowledge and respect for Arabic language, culture and art. And, just as importantly, it will entertain readers by encouraging them to decode and interpret the words and images included in each expression.”
The book also facilitates the internalization of key words by incorporating English syllables and words within the Arabic expressions. Novice learners will discover how to read letters, syllables, and words, while higher-level learners will learn the difference between Modern Standard Arabic and the Levantine dialect phonetically and syntactically.
Arabic Language and Culture Through Art and its designs are copy-righted and cannot be replicated, published, distributed, in any form, except by a written permission from the authors.
