Arabic for dummies

Regarded as one of the most difficult languages to learn for native English speakers by the U.S. State Department, Arabic is gaining both prominence and importance in America. Recent world events have brought more and more Americans and other English speakers into contact with Arabic-speaking populations, and governments and businesses are increasingly aware of the importance of basic Arabic language skills. Arabic for Dummies provides you with a painless and fun way to start communicating in Arabic.Why should you learn Arabic? Well, besides the fact that over 200 million people in more than 22 nations use it to communicate, there are tons of reasons to get up to speed this 1,400 year old language, including:Nearly all of the Middle-East speaks Arabic or one of its dialectsBasic Arabic skills are extremely useful for anyone traveling to, doing business in, or serving in the Middle EastIt is the language in which the Koran is writtenThere is a rich, centuries-old literary tradition in ArabicArabic For Dummies presents the language in the classic, laid-back For Dummies style. Taking a relaxed approach to this difficult language, it's packed with practice dialogues and communication tips that will have you talking the talk in no time. You'll get the scoop on:The Arabic alphabet, pronunciation, basic grammar, and the rules of transliterationThe history of the language and information on classical Arabic and its dialectsHow to make small talk and make yourself understood when dining, shopping, or traveling around townHow to communicate on the phone and in business conversationsHandy words and phrases for dealing with money, directions, hotels, transportation, and emergenciesArabic culture and etiquette, including ten things you should never do in Arabic countriesThe book also includes an Arabic-English dictionary, verb tables, and an audio CD with dialogues from the book to help you perfect your pronunciation. Written by a native Arabic speaker who helped start a year-ro