BilArid
12 Learning Paths to Arabic
Tatiana Prolesko

© Tatiana Prolesko, 2026

ISBN 978-5-0056-5833-3

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

Introduction

“You have gone mad!”

‘‘‘That was my friend’s reaction to my new obsession. From experience, I know that whenever someone says this, the most interesting things in life are just about to begin.

The idea of learning Arabic first crossed my mind before a trip to Qatar. Whenever I travel to a new country, I want to be able to say at least something in the local language. Without much hesitation, I went to the Bookvoed bookstore, bought an Arabic – Russian phrasebook, and triumphantly carried it to the checkout under the amused and curious gaze (a friendly one) of a shop assistant who, as it later turned out, spoke a Syrian dialect of Arabic.

The trip to Qatar happened to be framed by two other journeys – to Madrid and Barcelona. At the time, I was irritated by the way Italian words kept intruding into my head and interfering with my attempts to learn Spanish. A few hours spent with an Arabic phrasebook on flight QR0282 from Saint Petersburg to Doha cured me, once and for all, of complaining about the difficulty of any European language.

I opened the little book, closed it again in despair – and repeated this ritual several times.

By the time we landed, I had managed to remember exactly six words.

Everything else caused complete mental paralysis and led to gloomy thoughts: This is impossible to learn. How can anyone understand these strange symbols? And what will I do if, one day in some Dubai, all the English signs suddenly disappear?

So what made me continue?

First of all, the people. Those I met in Qatar, and later others from different parts of the Middle East, left a deep impression on me.

Secondly, Qatar itself amazed me so profoundly that after returning home I wrote a long article about the country for a Saint Petersburg publication, bought a thick Arabic textbook, and a thin notebook for handwriting practice. I wanted to understand how native speakers think – and to learn how to speak, at least a little, the way they do.

It turned out to be an extraordinary mental exercise: a way to penetrate local culture more deeply and to significantly expand my own way of thinking.

And then there were discoveries.

1. I realized that Arabic letters are not frightening at all – they are simply unfamiliar to the eye. Each letter changes its shape depending on whether it appears at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a word, or stands alone. Words are written from right to left, while numbers go from left to right. Letters that can connect always do so, both in handwriting and in printed texts. The only exceptions are crosswords and vertical signs.

2. Arabic word formation leads to unexpected reflections. For example, the word student in Arabic is ṭālib, a participle derived from the verb ṭalaba – “to ask,” “to seek,” “to demand.” A student, therefore, is literally someone who seeks and asks. Unlike a child sent to school by parents, unsure of what knowledge is needed, a student consciously searches for learning, is not afraid to ask for help, and even demands knowledge when necessary. The word itself perfectly conveys the true essence of a student – a person driven by the desire to know. Even its sound suggests what actions a seeker of knowledge must take in order to succeed.

3. I also discovered that nearly 10 percent of Spanish vocabulary is borrowed from Arabic – a fact that proved extremely useful while continuing my studies of español in Barcelona:

aduana – customs

azúcar – sugar

álgebra – algebra

elixir – elixir

alcohol – alcohol

azimut – azimuth

algoritmo – algorithm

aldea – village

There are many Arabic borrowings in Russian as well. For instance, the word lafa is close to alafa, meaning “an easy life” or “good fortune.” The word balagan originates from the Arabic balagh – “news” or “message.” Other examples include alchemy, admiral, amalgam, arsenal, caliber, coffee, gazelle, giraffe, halva, chest, jasmine, lemon, sherbet, sugar, syrup, talisman, tariff, and many more.

4. What I loved most was drawing Arabic script – not writing or typing it, but truly drawing it. Arabic calligraphy is an art form in itself. I remember once practicing for four hours straight just to handwrite a congratulatory card for my Arab partners.

5. Encouraged by my progress in writing, I almost forgot about pronunciation. Arabic contains several groups of sounds that are nearly indistinguishable to a Russian or European ear. For example, where Russian has just one “s” sound, Arabic has three similar ones: sin, pronounced like the Russian “s”; sad, pronounced much harder; and th an interdental sound similar to the English th.

Learning new languages gradually erases boundaries in every sense. I enjoy speaking with native speakers and forming my own understanding of people, cultures, and countries – rather than relying on second-hand opinions or information dissected and packaged by others.

What Inspired This Book?

– Excuse me, may I ask where you bought such a beautiful backpack?

– In Dubai.

– Oh… what a pity. I suppose I will never be able to go there.

– Why not?

– I do not speak foreign languages, and I am not sure I could ever learn them. I have only been abroad once – to Turkey, to a hotel where many people spoke Russian.

– Do not be discouraged. Learning a foreign language is not difficult – I can tell you that for sure. And Dubai is wonderful. It is absolutely worth visiting.

– Thank you! Please come again.

– I certainly will.

This unexpected conversation once took place in a coffee shop while I was ordering an iced latte. At first glance, there was nothing remarkable about it. Yet it made me reflect once again on why people so often condemn themselves to failure in advance.

Who convinced this smart, charming young woman that learning a foreign language is hard? Was she simply unlucky with a teacher at school, as so many people are? Or perhaps there was a lack of psychological support in her family when it came to new beginnings? How many people do not realize what they deprive themselves of by placing language learning on the list of unattainable dreams? And how can one convey to them, at least in part, the experience of how simple – and how enjoyable – it can actually be?

Thus, an ordinary conversation and an accessory from Dubai decorated with cute little cacti became one of the impulses for this book.

Secondly, if someone had told me eight years ago – when I first visited the United Arab Emirates – that I would one day choose to study Arabic, and even more so, write a book about it, I would never have believed them. Where are the Arabists, the Orientalists, the professors, the diplomatic interpreters – and where is the author of these lines? Yes, I am a polyglot when it comes to European languages, and an entrepreneur by profession, but I once considered myself utterly unworthy of even mentally approaching such luminaries, let alone writing about the Arabic language.

And yet, as I studied, something unexpected happened: friends and acquaintances became curious, drawn in by the language, the history, and the culture of the Middle East. I fell in love with Arabic calligraphy – and through it, with drawing.

I also had to face a simple fact: learning materials for Arabic are far fewer than those available for European languages. As a result, I had to build my own learning system – like assembling a mosaic – layering it onto my own teaching methodology.

Thirdly, in our time, an overwhelming amount of information is devoted to language learning. It seems as if nothing more can be added: enroll in courses, choose a teacher, arm yourself with textbooks, decorate the process with words like “motivation,” “self-development,” and “deadlines,” download a couple of apps onto your smartphone, make a solemn promise to friends on social media – and that should do the trick.

So why is it that even many highly motivated, capable, and serious people – those for whom a new language truly opens doors in career, business, and sometimes even personal life – fail to master it and add it to their list of achievements or a line on their résumé? Why does it happen that a highly skilled teacher and a talented student with clear goals still do not achieve the desired result?

The reason is simple: people engage with the learning process in fundamentally different ways. They perceive information differently, translate sensations into thoughts and words in their own manner, and have individual cognitive and learning patterns. People think differently – just as “physicists” and “lyricists” must be taught in entirely different ways.

In this book, the reader will discover twelve approaches to learning Arabic and learn not only how to move the process off dead center – how to start – but how to continue all the way to the end. Every reader will recognize themselves in one or several of these approaches and receive a clear, practical understanding of what to do next and how to achieve results in learning Arabic without unnecessary struggle.

The book consists of two parts. The first explores the distinctive features of the Arabic language; the second describes different types of learners.

Its purpose is to demonstrate that Arabic is accessible to everyone – not only to a select group of “chosen ones.”

The photograph that follows captures the moment when, while driving back from a business meeting on Palm Jumeirah, the idea first came to me to share my experience of learning Arabic with others – with those just beginning their journey, and even with those who have not yet taken the first step. Perhaps this book will serve as an inspiration.

On the car’s side mirror is a phrase familiar to anyone who knows English: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” This is exactly what can be said about the Arabic language. It is far closer to us – and far simpler – than it seems at first glance.

Reasons for Learning Arabic

People come to the Arabic language for very different reasons. For example:

as a way to obtain a desired position in a Gulf country;

interest in culture and history;

the study of a rare language (a polyglot’s calling card), including as a linguistic phenomenon;

love and family reunification;

a call from one’s ancestors and roots;

hobbies, personal interests, and beliefs; the magic of music and the charm of Eastern literature;

travel;

relocation to a desired country;

_________________________________ (write your own reason!).

1. Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world

Today, Arabic ranks among the languages with the largest number of native speakers. More than 300 million people speak it, and it is an official language in 22 countries. Its global importance continues to grow, and many experts believe that in the near future it will rival English in influence.

Arabic is particularly valuable for those who plan to work abroad and build a well-paid career. Knowledge of the language is a strong advantage for professionals who already possess specialized skills. Both in Western countries and in the post-Soviet space, there is a noticeable shortage of Arabic-speaking specialists. The rapidly developing economies of Arabic-speaking countries are increasingly focused on services and require qualified personnel.

2. Arabic as a gateway to other languages

Arabic is often considered a springboard for learning Farsi, Urdu, Hebrew, and even Turkish. Its difficulty is greatly exaggerated: the language is highly structured and, with the right approach, can be studied independently at home.

3. Language as a key to mentality

Knowing the language makes it much easier to understand the mentality of its speakers and to build successful professional and personal relationships.

4. A language of precision and depth

Arabic barely tolerates borrowings: less than one percent of its vocabulary consists of foreign words. The richness of the language inspires admiration. Even the best translation of an Arabic text is always approximate, as no other language has exact equivalents for many Arabic expressions. Arabic vocabulary is dense with meaning; vague or empty words are not appreciated. Precision and perfection are valued in everything – especially in the expression of thought.

5. Logic comparable to mathematics

Arabic is an exceptionally logical language. Its learning process is often compared to studying mathematics. By knowing just three consonants, one can derive dozens of new words, almost like formulas. The language provides clear patterns that demonstrate how this is done correctly.

6. A language that shaped world culture

Arabic has played a crucial role in the history of global culture. A vast body of artistic, philosophical, and scientific literature has been created in this language.

7. Arabic calligraphy as an art form

Arabic script is a true paradise for aesthetes and one of the most extraordinary forms of visual art. One can learn not only to admire it, but also to write it by hand. There are no capital letters, and handwritten and printed forms are essentially the same – a rarity among world languages.

Learning Arabic from scratch without the guidance of a tutor or group classes is not easy. At the initial stage, it is crucial to find your teacher – someone with whom you feel completely comfortable. I am convinced that this is one of the most important factors for success. A single lesson can make a person fall in love with a foreign language (especially Arabic) for life – or, on the contrary, instill fear and rejection.

If traditional methods and textbooks feel difficult, consultations and conversational practice may prove more effective. A combined approach often works best: independent study using textbooks, complemented by individual lessons with a tutor and/or group classes.

Arabic can also be studied at cultural centers, which often provide opportunities for internships and language practice in countries where Arabic is spoken.

If you want to accelerate the process – especially when there is no opportunity to study deeply and thoughtfully at the moment – you can begin by satisfying the initial impulse to start.

Let us begin without delay and take a look at some basic question words.

You have already learned eight of them!

Of course, achieving serious results requires serious effort – but I would rather call it a Path. And along this path, you will inevitably become richer spiritually, more tolerant, and even more interesting as a person.

To touch this wise, precise, and philosophically generous language with your soul is, in fact, very simple.

At the border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia

The Ease of the Arabic Language

Arabs are famously eloquent. For almost any situation, they can instantly find a wise saying. Let us begin with a few well-known Arabic aphorisms and proverbs:

Will the shadow be straight if the trunk is crooked?

Do not open a door you are unable to close.

I am an emir, and you are an emir – so who will drive the donkeys?

Conversation shortens the road.

The heart sees before the mind.

An army of sheep led by a lion will defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

Arabic appears complex and mysterious to many people – right up until the moment they begin to study it. I am deeply convinced that anyone can learn Arabic. But let us proceed step by step.

First, we will look at its advantages. In the next chapter, we will turn to its particular features. I hesitate to call them “disadvantages,” although the chapter is deliberately titled that way – I suspect that many readers will turn to it first.

1. Flexibility of expression

Arabic is a flexible language. The same meaning can be conveyed in several different ways, as sentence structure is not as rigid as in English or French. In this respect, Arabic is closer to Russian – which may explain why both languages are so poetic, and why Russian and Arab poets are known worldwide.

2. A mathematical logic

Arabic is often described as a mathematical language: words and sentences are built according to clear formulas. This is one of its great advantages – there are very few exceptions to the rules. This means there is far less to memorize mechanically.

With a solid understanding of grammar, a single word can sometimes generate more than a dozen derivatives by applying established patterns. In practical terms, knowing just 500 verbs can yield a vocabulary of roughly 2,500 words. Stress placement in Arabic is also logical and consistent.

3. You read what you see

In Arabic, words are pronounced exactly as they are written. There are rules, of course, but they are straightforward and transparent. Compare this with English, which has countless reading rules and exceptions – or French, which we shall not even begin to discuss. And yet these are European languages traditionally considered “easy.”

4. Only three tenses

As in Russian, Arabic has only three grammatical tenses: past, present, and future. Just think of how many tenses exist in English.

Ain Dubai View

5. You already know some Arabic

Most readers do not even realize that they already speak a little Arabic. Many familiar words entered Russian – and other languages – from Arabic. For example: coffee, zero, digit, nabat, muslin, halva, and many others. A number of these words contain the prefix al-, which signals their Arabic origin: algebra, almanac, alcohol, alchemy, Aldebaran, Altair, and so on.

____________________________________

(add a word you recognize, if one comes to mind!)

6. A language rich beyond comparison

Arabic is one of the richest languages in the world when it comes to words that other languages would group together as “synonyms.” There is no need to be intimidated: for everyday conversation, knowing 500 to 1,000 words is entirely sufficient.

Let us consider an example. In Arabic, there are dozens of words describing love and related emotional states – concepts that speakers of other languages often translate using just one word. The same richness applies to antonyms.

Arabs are known for their emotional subtlety and depth. Below is a small selection of terms for love, actively used in poetry:

al-maḥabba – simple love

al- alaqa – love as friendship, attachment without depth

al-hawā – passionate love that blinds

aṣ-ṣabwa – love born of curiosity or initial interest

aṣ-ṣabāba – naïve, foolish, unserious love

ash-shaghaf – piercing, consuming, ego-centered love

al-miqā – pure, sincere love

al-wajd – egocentric love, focused on one’s own feelings

al-kalaf – fiery love that causes one to blush at the mere mention or meeting of the beloved

at-tatayyum – enslaving, overpowering love

al- ishq —infatuation, adoration; obsessive love

al-jawā – burning love mixed with sorrow

ad-danaf – love as physical and emotional exhaustion, wasting away

ash-shajw – love-grief, love as sorrow

ash-shawq – longing love; missing someone whether they are far away or near

al-ḥīlāba – love based solely on physical beauty

al-balābil – love inspired by voice (related to the word “nightingale”)

at-tabārīḥ – tormenting love; love endured despite suffering

aṣ-ṣadam – unrequited love

al-ghamārāt – all-consuming love; losing oneself entirely

al-wahal – startled love; sudden emotional shock at first encounter

ash-shajan – love-mourning caused by loss or hopelessness

al- laij – bitter love; love that brings only pain

al-iktiab – depressive love

al-wasāba – love as a long-lasting illness

al-ḥuzn – love-melancholy, sadness

al-kamad – love-regret

al-laz— stinging love; love like a thorn or bite

al-ḥaraq – burning, consuming love

as-suhd – sleepless love born of happiness (one does not even try to sleep or eat)

al-araq – sleepless love filled with anxiety (one tries to sleep or eat, but cannot)

al-lahf – impatient love; breathless anticipation

al-ḥanīn – clingy, possessive love

al-istikāna – submissive love; complete obedience

at-taala – exhausting, draining love

al-lawa— love-mourning associated with loss

al-futūn – enchanting, bewitching love (same root as fitna)

al-junūn – mad love; madness caused by passion

al-lamam – love resembling mental obsession

al-ḥabl – disorienting love; love that clouds reason

ar-rasīs – eternal love; love rooted deep in the heart

al-mukhamir – intoxicating, drunken love

al-khulla – intimate, profound friendship-love

al-ḥilm – love as brotherhood or sisterhood in faith

al-gharām – adventurous, risky love

al-hayām – obsessive love; complete fixation

al-walagh – confused love; emotional disarray

at-taabud – devotional love; love through service to God

This is only a fragment of how precisely Arabic is able to describe emotional states.

The Challenges of Arabic

In the previous chapter, we saw that Arabic, contrary to popular belief, is in many ways easier than other languages. At the same time, however, Arabic is an Eastern language with its own complexities and nuances – ones that may initially seem incomprehensible to Russian speakers and Europeans alike.

By rough estimates, mastering Arabic takes about three and a half times longer than learning, for example, Spanish.

Let us take a closer look at the main challenges beginners usually face.

1. Arabic script

The first thing that often intimidates beginners is Arabic script. At first glance, writing seems extremely complicated: unlike Cyrillic or Latin, the letters are connected and resemble elaborate patterns. When learning to read Arabic, one has to focus on fine details – something that feels unnatural at the beginning. To make matters worse, some textbooks present the script in a way that discourages curiosity almost instantly.

Yet the fear of Arabic writing is largely an illusion. It usually disappears within the first few weeks of study. Arabic has only 28 letters, all of which connect to one another in both printed and handwritten forms. All that is required is to memorize these 28 letters and how they are written.

Of the 28 letters, 22 have four forms (standing alone, at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of a word), while six letters have only two forms (standing alone or connecting to the previous letter). Some letters are written in exactly the same way and differ only by the placement of dots.

To make learning easier, it is helpful to study letters by groups based on their shape rather than in alphabetical order. In many cases, the outline of a letter remains the same in all positions, with only the dots changing – which means the basic form needs to be memorized just once.

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