The Arabic Alphabet: How to Read and Write it

Ever greater numbers of people are learning Arabic and/or coming into some kind of contact with the Arab world. Anyone who wishes to learn the language faces a hitherto formidable initial challenge: the alphabet.

This book proceeds, step by step, through all the letters of the Arabic alphabet, showing the sounds they stand for and how they are combined into words. Nothing essential is left out, and no unnecessary complications added. Readers will make rapid progress and will be surprised at the relative ease with which they master the first steps towards command of this increasingly important world language.

The Arabic Alphabet: How to Read and Write It belongs on the desk of every student of the language; in the luggage of every visitor to the Middle East; in the briefcase of business people with Arab clients; and in the back pocket of every employee of British or American companies working in Arab countries.

Nicholas Awde was born in London in 1961 and spent much of his childhood in Africa. He studied Arabic at London University.

Putros Samano was born in Iraq in 1953. Since 1974 he has lived in Britain, where he studied Arabic and Arabic-English translation and now works as a translator and interpreter.