Arabic for Nerds 1

Arabic for Nerds 1: Thematic Table of Contents

I. Script, Vowels, and Phonology

• Vowels, Roots, and Letters (weak letters, Aleph, Hamza).
• Grammar origins and the logic of the definite article (Al-).
• Pronunciation issues and spelling puzzles (J?m, etc.).

II. Nominal System (Nouns, Gender, Case)

• Noun exceptions: Duals, plurals, and the "five nouns."
• Masculine/feminine rules and the purpose of the ending ?.
• Case endings and Diptotes (non-nunating words).
• Constructing names, family titles, and addressing people.

III. The Advanced Verbal System and Derivations

• Verb forms (Stems II-X) and their associated meanings.
• Building the Ma?dar, participles, and nouns of place/tool.
• Transitive/intransitive conversion and managing weak letters in derivations.
• The imperative form and the logic of verbal roots.

IV. Tenses, Modality, and Negation

• Expressing modal concepts ('can,' 'should,' 'must').
• Past, present, and future tenses in complex sentences.
• Negating sentences using various particles (M?, Lays, Lam) and their grammatical results.

V. Sentence Structure and Syntax

• Word order and agreement (Mu??baqah).
• Sentence types (verbal, nominal) and relative clauses.
• Identifying objects: direct, absolute (Maf'?l Mu?laq), and causal.

VI. Special Particles and Connectors

• In-depth analysis of the multi-functional particle M? (its four roles).
• Coordinating conjunctions and particles of time/condition (Idh?, In).
• The difference between Inna and Anna, and their placement.
• Particles to express 'except,' 'because,' 'although,' and 'never.'

VII. Emphasis, Quantification, and Style

• Techniques for emphasis, likeness, and concession.
• Rules for counting and writing numbers (gender and syntax).
• Pragmatic language: starting and ending formal communication.