New for this edition 

• Additional chapters on the structure of Arabic, bilingualism and Arabic pidgins and creoles 
  
• A full explanation of the use of conventional Arabic transcription and IPA characters 
  
• An updated bibliography 
  
• All chapters have been revised and updated in light of recent research 
  

Concentrating on the difference between the two types of Arabic – the classical standard language and the dialects – Kees Versteegh charts the history and development of the Arabic language from its earliest beginnings to modern times. 

Students will gain a solid grounding in the structure of the language, its historical context and its use in various literary and non-literary genres, as well as an understanding of the role of Arabic as a cultural, religious and political world language.