📘 Communication Skills in Arabic Language 1 – College Notes
1. Introduction to Arabic Language
Arabic is a Semitic language spoken by over 400 million people.
Official language in 25 countries.
Two main forms:
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) – used in formal settings, media, literature.
Colloquial Arabic – varies by region (e.g., Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf
Arabic).
2. Arabic Alphabet ()األبجدية العربية
28 letters, written right to left.
Letters change shape depending on their position (initial, medial, final,
isolated).
No capital letters in Arabic.
Example Letters
Sounds like
( أalif)
“a”
( بba)
“b”
( تta)
“t”
( ثtha)
“th” as in “think”
3. Basic Arabic Pronunciation
Emphasis on correct articulation points.
Some unique Arabic sounds:
‘( عayn) – deep throat sound.
( قqaf) – strong “k” from the throat.
( حha’) – soft breathy “h”.
4. Basic Vocabulary for Communication
Greetings:
Hello – ( السالم عليكمAs-salamu alaykum)
How are you? – ( كيف حالك؟Kayfa haluk?)
I’m fine – ( أنا بخيرAna bikhayr)
Common Phrases:
Yes – ( نعمNa‘am)
No – ( الLā)
Thank you – ( شكرًاShukran)
Please – ( من فضلكMin faḍlik)
Excuse me – ‘( عفوًاAfwan)
5. Basic Sentence Structure
Arabic sentence types:
Nominal Sentence: starts with a noun
(e.g., – الطقس جميلThe weather is nice)
Verbal Sentence: starts with a verb
(e.g., – ذهب محمد إلى السوقMuhammad went to the market)
Subject-Verb-Object (VSO) order is common, but can vary.
6. Pronouns ()الضمائر
English
Arabic
( أناana)
You (m)
( أنَتanta)
You (f)
( أنِتanti)
He
( هوhuwa)
She
( هيhiya)
We
( نحنnaḥnu)
7. Numbers in Arabic
Number
Arabic
( واحدwaḥid)
( اثنانithnān)
( ثالثةthalātha)
( أربعةarba‘a)
( خمسةkhamsa)
8. Basic Grammar Concepts
Gender: Words are either masculine or feminine.
Definiteness: Use “( ”الal-) prefix to make nouns definite.
( كتابbook) → ( الكتابthe book)
Dual and Plural Forms: Arabic has special forms for two (dual) and for
more than two (plural).
9. Simple Dialogue Example
👤: السالم عليكم
👤: وعليكم السالم
👤: كيف حالك؟
👤: وأنت؟. شكرًا،أنا بخير
10. Practice Areas
Listening to Arabic audio (news, Quran recitation, podcasts).
Practicing Arabic script writing.
Basic reading comprehension (short texts).
Speaking practice with greetings and common phrases.
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📘 Communication Skills in Arabic Language 1 – Extended College Notes
11. Arabic Vowels (Harakat – )الحركات
Arabic uses short vowels represented by diacritical marks above or below
the letters:
Harakah
Symbol
Sound
Example
Fatḥah
َـ
Short “a”
= َبba
Kasrah
ِـ
Short “i”
= ِبbi
Ḍammah
ُـ
Short “u”
= ُبbu
Sukūn
ْـ
No vowel/silent
= ْبb
Shaddah
ّـ
Double consonant
= ّبbb
Long vowels:
( اAlif) → long “a”
( يYa’) → long “i”
( وWaw) → long “u”
12. Useful Everyday Expressions
English
Arabic
Pronunciation
Good morning
صباح الخير
Sabah al-khayr
Good evening
مساء الخير
Masa’ al-khayr
Goodbye
مع السالمة
Ma‘a as-salāma
What is your name?
ما اسمك؟
Ma ismuk?
My name is…
…اسمي
Ismi…
Where are you from?
من أين أنت؟
Min ayna anta/anti?
I am from…
…أنا من
Ana min…
13. Days of the Week in Arabic
English
Arabic
Sunday
( األحدal-Aḥad)
Monday
( اإلثنينal-Ithnayn)
Tuesday
( الثالثاءath-Thulāthā’)
Wednesday
( األربعاءal-Arbi‘ā’)
Thursday
( الخميسal-Khamīs)
Friday
( الجمعةal-Jum‘a)
Saturday
( السبتas-Sabt)
14. Basic Verb Conjugation – Present Tense ()المضارع
Arabic verbs are conjugated based on person, gender, and number.
Verb: ( يكتبyaktub) – “he writes”
Person
Arabic
Meaning
أنا
أكتب
I write
أنَت
تكتب
You (m) write
أنِت
تكتبين
You (f) write
هو
يكتب
He writes
هي
تكتب
She writes
نحن
نكتب
We write
هم
يكتبون
They write
15. Negative Sentences
Use الbefore a verb to say “do not”:
= ال أدرسI do not study.
Use ماfor past tense negation:
= ما ذهبُتI did not go.
16. Forming Questions ()أسئلة
Use question words:
( ماذا؟mādhā?) – What?
( من؟man?) – Who?
( أين؟ayna?) – Where?
( متى؟matā?) – When?
( كم؟kam?) – How many?
( كيف؟kayfa?) – How?
Examples:
– أين تسكن؟Where do you live?
– ماذا تدرس؟What do you study?
17. Reading and Writing Practice Tips
Start with reading short phrases and signs.
Practice writing the Arabic alphabet repeatedly.
Use tracing worksheets to develop muscle memory.
18. Cultural Notes
Arabic is deeply tied to Islamic culture, but not all Arabic speakers are
Muslim.
Politeness and respectful speech are very important in Arabic-speaking
societies.
Titles such as Ustadh (Mr./teacher) or Sayyid (Sir) are common.
19. Practice Activities
Greet your classmates daily in Arabic.
Memorize 10 new words per week.
Watch Arabic children’s shows or cartoons for basic listening practice.
Use free Arabic apps like Duolingo, Drops, or Memrise.
20. Arabic Calligraphy ( – )الخط العربيOptional
Artistic way of writing Arabic letters.
Common styles: Naskh, Diwani, Kufi, Thuluth.
Encouraged to observe but not necessary in beginner courses.
📌 Reasons Why We Need to Learn Arabic Communication Skills in College
Global Importance of Arabic
Arabic is the 5th most spoken language in the world, used by over 400
million people across the Middle East and North Africa.
It is one of the official languages of the United Nations.
Learning Arabic connects students to international communities.
Cultural and Religious Relevance
In the Philippines and many parts of Asia, Arabic is significant because of
Islamic culture and religion.
It helps students understand Islamic texts, traditions, and heritage,
especially in Muslim-majority regions like Mindanao.
Educational Development
Improves communication skills, not only in Arabic but also in
understanding how languages work in general.
Helps students develop discipline, patience, and focus by learning a new
script and sound system.
Strengthens memory and cognitive flexibility through learning another
language.
Career Opportunities
Opens up careers in diplomacy, business, translation, tourism, education,
and international organizations.
High demand for Arabic speakers in global companies and NGOs.
Community and Social Benefits
Promotes mutual respect and understanding between cultures.
Encourages peace and unity in diverse communities.
Useful in volunteer work, especially in multicultural and interfaith settings.
Practical Use for Students
Enables students to read, write, and communicate in basic Arabic.
Helps Muslim students deepen their religious practices by understanding
Qur’anic Arabic.
Equips non-Muslim students with cross-cultural communication skills.
