How to Learn Numbers in Arabic

A name in Arabic script.

Arabic is a language spoken by millions of people worldwide, in countries spread across the Middle East and Asia. Because of the Internet and Islam's holy book, the Qur'an, people in many countries around the world recognize, speak or understand the Arabic language. In Arabic texts, numbers in Arabic are normally written in script form, rather than using the standard numerals 1-2-3. Certain numbers in Arabic closely resemble standard numbers.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet access
• Language software

Instructions

1. Listen to how the numbers are pronounced. Several web sites are dedicated to teaching Arabic interactively, rather than having you read the words and pronounce them. Some web sites offer the chance to hear a native Arabic speaker pronounce numbers in Arabic. All you have to do is click the highlighted word and listen to the speaker. You may have to download software such as Realplayer, Windows Media Player or Java to hear the pronunciations.

2. Buy language software. You can order software online that allows you to listen to a native speaker pronounce the numbers and repeat them after the speaker. The software gauges how close your pronunciation is to the native speaker's, and you have to keep repeating the words until the software is satisfied that you are pronouncing them correctly. This software can be downloaded online or purchased in CD-Rom format from bookseller web sites.

3. Learn how to spell the number in Arabic transliteration. Transliteration is spelling a word from a language that uses a different script in the English alphabet. Since many people recognize words written in their alphabet, transliteration is used as a teaching tool. You will have to learn how to pronounce Arabic letters correctly when they are transliterated in English. For instance, in Arabic, the letter 'a' isn't pronounced like the 'a' in "apple" but like the 'a' in "father." With transliteration, you can learn the pronunciation and the spelling.

4. Learn the Arabic alphabet. To recognize how the number is written in Arabic script, you will need to recognize the transliterated words in their original script. You can learn the Arabic alphabet for free online on several language web sites, video sites and forums. You can also purchase books to teach you the script.

References

• Muttaqun.com: Listen to Arabic Number Pronunciation
• Omniglot.com: Writing Arabic
• Lexicorient.com: Rules of Transliteration