A Basic Course in Moroccan Arabic is a textbook in spoken Moroccan Arabic that is written for beginners who are unfamiliar with the Arabic language, alphabet, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Written in Latinate transcription it is carefully designed to present these elements in a progressive, user-friendly, step-by-step manner.

Following the initial pronunciation introductions and practice, there are 130 lessons consisting of a text where a small number of phrases and sentences illustrate grammatical points. These sections also contain exercises in new grammar and vocabulary. Each lesson is structured in a way that guides the learner naturally and comfortably into an understanding of the structure of Moroccan Arabic. From there, the course progresses into ninety-seven short, conversational dialogs that place the student in a variety of social situations.

First introduced to Arabic language students in the 1960s, A Basic Course in Moroccan Arabic still has no equal for clarity and ease of use. An audio CD of MP3 files that further aid and enhance the lessons is now bound into this volume.

This classic volume presents the core vocabulary of everyday life in Morocco—from the kitchen to the mosque, from the hardware store to the natural world of plants and animals. It contains myriad examples of usage, including formulaic phrases and idiomatic expressions. Understandable throughout the nation, it is based primarily on the standard dialect of Moroccans from the cities of Fez, Rabat, and Casablanca. All Arabic citations are in an English transcription, making it invaluable to English-speaking non-Arabists, travelers, and tourists—as well as being an important resource tool for students and scholars in the Arabic language-learning field.

Conceived to be a practical reference grammar for those who may have basic skills in Moroccan Arabic, this classic volume teaches the phonology, morphology, and syntax of the dialect. Originally published in 1962, A Short Reference Grammar of Moroccan Arabic features the spoken language of the urban speakers of the northwestern part of Morocco, especially Fez, Rabat, and Casablanca. The Arabic has been transcribed for the English-speaking student.

The accompanying audio files, keyed to the text, demonstrate the pronunciation of the Arabic transcribed in the book. These mp3 files are available for free online at www.press.georgetown.edu.