Arabic Stories for Language Learners: Traditional Middle Eastern Tales In Arabic and English

by Hezi Brosh, Lutfi Mansur

Arabic Stories for Language Learners—a language learning experience for beginner to intermediate students.

The traditional stories of a country are invaluable at providing insight into understanding the culture, history and language of a people. The sixty-six stories found in Arabic Stories for Language Learners present the vocabulary and grammar used everyday in Arabic-speaking countries. Pulled from a wide variety of sources that have been edited and simplified for learning purposes, these stories are presented in parallel Arabic and English, facilitating language learning in the classroom and via self-study. Each story is followed by a series of questions in Arabic and English to test comprehension and encourage discussion.

Arabic Stories for Language Learners brings Arab culture to life in a colorful and immediate way. Regardless of whether or not you have a working knowledge of Arabic, this book gives readers a tantalizing introduction to the wisdom and humor of these ancient desert-dwelling peoples. An audio CD in Arabic and English helps students of Arabic improve their pronunciation and inflection, and immerses non-students into the uniquely Arabic storytelling style.

Genres: Language, Fiction, Middle East, Short Stories, Islam

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2013

About the author

Hezi Brosh, Ph.D., educator and researcher, has decades of experience in teaching Arabic. His innovative teaching materials on Arabic as a foreign language have benefited thousands of learners and teachers. He has worked in many educational institutions in the Middle East and North America, ranging from junior high school to university level. His area of specialization is Second Language Acquisition and he focuses on the teaching and learning of Arabic as a foreign language. He has published widely on Arabic pedagogy and significantly contributed to curriculum planning and development. Dr. Brosh is currently associate professor in the Languages and Cultures Department and affiliated with the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies (CMEIS) at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.

Reviews

[زبيدة عالي · Rating 3 out of 5]

أحب هذه النوعية من الكتب، أجدها خفيفة ولطيفة على القارئ، يقرؤها وكأنه يتنزه في العصور السالفة ويلقي نظرة على قصة هذا ونكتة ذاك. مثلما هو مذكور بالعنوان، يجمع لنا الكتاب ما يفوق الستين قصة من واسع الأدب العربي ما بين جاهلي وإسلامي وحتى القرن الخامس عشر ميلادي. وكما هو مبين في العنوان كذلك، كل قصة مذكورة باللغتين العربية والإنكليزية بلغة سهلة جدًا ومبسطة تخلو من أي تعقيد وتفنن لغوي كي تعين الطلاب على تعلم اللغتين. ومما أخذه يخص دار النشر والصورة النهائية للكتاب في بدئهم من اليسار لليمين للغتين على حدٍ سواء. خطأ مثل هذا وجدته فادح كونه لا يحترم كيان اللغة العربية باعتبارها لغة تبتدئ من اليمين لليسار ويجب ألا نعاملها معاملتها كباقي اللغات التي تكتب بالطريقة المعاكسة. كان بإمكانهم فصل الكتاب لجزأين يلتقيان في المنتصف حيث نجد جزءًا خاصًا بالعربية وآخر بالإنجليزية كما تفعل باقي الكتب المشابهة. أما الهيئة الحالية فهي عبارة عن فوضى سببت لي إرباكًا بالقراءة كوني غير معتادة على هذا التسلسل العكسي في تقليب الصفحات. نأتي الآن للمحتوى، وجدت المحتوى منوعًا جميلًا يشمل قصصًا عديدة ما بين حكم ونكت وسير ونوادر. كما يوجد تنوع في الأبطال ما بين تجار وحكماء وشعراء وخلفاء وقطاع طرق وحتى حيوانات تتحدث وتروي القصص. شككت في مصداقية قصة أو اثنتين، فيما عدا ذلك وجدت المحتوى منطقيًا ومفيدًا وخاصة للقراءة الترفيهية والتعليمية المزدوجة. مما ينبغي ذكره كذلك هو استعراض الكتاب لمجموعة صور ورسوم من الأدب العربي والإسلامي، كانت منتقاة بعناية ومفيدة للاطلاع عليها. كنت قد قرأت وسمعت كثيرًا مما ورد من قصص في هذا الكتاب، في مجلات الأطفال ورسومهم المصورة في طفولتي كونها مليئة بالحكمة والموعظة حيث يتم تغليفها في سياق مبسط ترفيهي يشد القارئ أو المستمع في حالات مثل الحكواتي أو قصص ما قبل النوم. كما أنني أجد أنه من المهم جدًا أن يحفظ الفرد بعضًا من هذه القصص ويضعها نصب عينيه كي تذكره بمعنى هذه الحياة وهدفها أولًا. كما أنها تجعله يرجع لها في تحليله لقصص العرب وأصلهم ثانيًا. أما ثالثًا فهي نقطة كثيرًا ما أفكر بها، ألا وهي إمتاع الأطفال فيكون هذا القارئ أيًا كان، مربيًا، صديقًا، أمًا أو أبًا للطفل، عبارة عن كنز مليئ بالحكايات يسردها لأطفاله ويغرس في نفوسهم محبة حسن الأخلاق عبر أسلوب شيق وماتع.

[David M]

Some of these stories were excruciatingly difficult to be honest. Occasionally I would spend a week or more on a single story, just staring at the Arabic letters and not getting anywhere. So maybe I wasn't actually ready for this book, but I did technically finish it.

[Eri Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually finished this in one night, but didn't get around to admitting it. Usually, I read other cultures' mythos and fables and I get it. I had three or four stories in this book that I just scratched my head over, tho. Where was the moral? I did like most of the stories. They were usual less than a page or two, with drawings and prints relevant to the tale at the end. The book also had the story in Arabic. The overall design and effect of the book was well done. If I were a student of Arabic, I'm sure this book would be useful. Give it a go.

[Fadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is useful for people who are new to the Arab language although the English translations can be inconsistent at times. The short length of the stories avoids overwhelming readers and assists their learning by using a core lexicon repeatedly. The images were a hit and miss since the book claims to offer a linguistic and cultural insight into the Arab world but displays Ottoman and Persian artwork. This is most prominent on the cover where a young Ottoman sultan is depicted.

[Ali Jon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining book of short stories. I was reading it more for the folk tales than to learn Arabic and I feel like it got me a little way into the medieval Arab mindset. I have one major takeaway from it: Suck up to the Caliph! Suck up as hard as you can! Think your flattery is too much? Think again! He's the most beautiful person you've ever seen!

(And if he decides to execute you, do everything you can to make him laugh)

[Irni Farid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dual language reader is suitable for intermediate Arabic learners. The short stories provide leisure reading while being able to identify the grammar structure of the sentences as well as its translation in English.

I took my time in reading this book along with my study in Arabic.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read this book for two reasons. one is to practice my english. two is to gain extra knowledge about my cultural stories. However, it really bothers me how easy and too short the stories was like most of them just half page!

[علي فيصل · Rating 1 out of 5]

الكتاب من الناحية اللغوية جيد ، لكن المشكلة في طبيعة القصص و مصادرها و مصداقيتها ، و قد تنقل صورة مشوهة عن الحضارة العربية الإسلامية

[Lu · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay.


Parts or words that stood out to me:

P10 pithy

Pre-Islamic period ( Alja- hiliyya)

P11
Juha/ Goha (funny man, wise fool. Whose stories are full of wit and wisdom.)

P18
All work, no matter how simple, is better than sitting around, complaining about poverty and waiting for charity.

P20 haha

Juha left his house in the middle of the night and was walking the streets when a police officer encountered him and asked : What are you doing in the street in the middle of the night?
Juha replied: My sleep ran away, and I’m looking for it.

P22 haha
A boy went to the grocery store to buy 60 dirhams worth of dates. The grocer gave him dates but reduced the weight.
The boy said: Why are these dates lighter?
The grocery replied: To make it easier for you to carry it.
He asked for the money, and the boy paid him 50 dirhams.
The grocer said: The price of the dates is 60 dirhams. Why did you pay less?
The boy replied: To make it easier for you to count the money.

P38 Thus the nickname of the camel is “the ship of the desert.”

P46 I have one wish: that you be united after I die, and that each of you protect the other, for then no one will be able to defeat you. However, if you quarrel and become divided, you will grow weak and easily vanquished.

P90 Quraish tribe ( tribe Mohammad came from)

P100 5 Mohammed’s horse

He saw himself riding a wondrous horse – its head was a head of a beautiful woman, its wings were an eagle’s wings, and its tail was a peacock’s tail. This wondrous horse was called Al-Burak, and it was unlike any other in the world.

P108 I will be married and blessed with a child, and when he is old enough, I will hire a mentor to teach him literature and wisdom, and I will order him to obey and respect me. But if he doesn’t, I will hit him with this crutch.

P112 dissension

… chosen as a ruler of the Muslims, and he was called Caliph, meaning the person who replaces the Prophet Mohammad

P114 Hulagu, the leader of the Tartars, in the year 1258 A.D., or 750 in the Islamic calendar, and this was the end of the Arab caliphates.

P116 Eat today and fast tomorrow, said the Caliph.
Can you guarantee that I will live tomorrow so I can fast and worship God? asked the Bedouin?
I cannot guarantee your life, answered the Caliph.
So why do you prevent me from doing today but I will not be able to do tomorrow? asked the Bedouin.

P146 demurred

P150 al-jahiliya (pre-Islamic period)
Arabs (bedouins)

P158 accession

P162 ha
Don’t reveal the secret that is between you and me to anybody.

P166 (typo) wonder -> wander

P170 ha
A Bedouin when was dining once at the table of Al-Hajaj bnu Yusuf, and when dessert was presented, the diners made to eat it. Before the others could, the Bedouin extended his hand and took a piece of it, but before he placed the piece in his mouth, Al-Hajaj said: Whoever eats from this dessert, I will cut off his head.

The fellow diners removed their hands from the dessert. As for the Bedouin, he began to look first at Al-Hajaj and then at the dessert, and when he lost his patience, he said to Al-Hajaj: Take good care of my children.
Then he quickly ate the dessert. Al-Hajaj and the diners laughed.

P172 (poet) Imran Al-Qais

P178 complainant

P221 (image/painting name)
The hare and the elephant king in front of the mirror image of the moon in the spring, Syrischer Maler Von 1354

P224 shod hooves

P236 rhetoricians

P240 (typo) woman was possessed a great deal of beauty — was should not be there

P241 ?

P244 Ibn Sina was poet of the sciences. He composed a poem on the psychology of humans which begins:

It (the soul) descended upon you from highest heaven
like a bird with pride and hesitation

In this poem he spoke about the secrets of the human soul.

—
Bnu???
Abd???
ibn???

[Kareem · Rating 5 out of 5]

The folktales in this collection are rich with themes and morals that resonate universally. A prominent theme is the value of cunning and wit, often showcased through clever protagonists who outsmart their adversaries. This highlights a cultural appreciation for intelligence over brute strength. Additionally, many stories emphasize justice and retribution, illustrating how characters face consequences for their actions. This reinforces moral lessons about honesty and integrity, which are central to the cultural fabric of the narratives.

Character archetypes play a significant role in these tales. The trickster is a common figure, often using cleverness to navigate challenges, reflecting the importance of resourcefulness. The wise elder frequently appears as a source of guidance, symbolizing the value placed on experience and knowledge within the community. The hero archetype embodies virtues such as bravery, loyalty, and honor, embarking on quests that test their character and resolve.

The narrative structure of these stories follows a simple yet effective format. Each tale typically begins with an introduction that sets the scene and introduces key characters. This is followed by a conflict that presents a challenge or problem needing resolution. The climax reaches a peak of tension where the protagonist confronts the conflict, leading to a resolution that often concludes with a moral lesson. This structure not only engages readers but also reinforces the cultural values embedded within each story.

Cultural context is another vital aspect of these folktales. They provide insights into traditional Arab life, reflecting social norms, customs, and historical references. Many stories draw from Bedouin life, emphasizing themes of survival, hospitality, and respect for nature. Some tales incorporate Islamic principles or figures, illustrating how faith intertwines with daily life and moral decision-making.

The language used in these folktales is crafted to be accessible for learners while retaining cultural authenticity. The vocabulary is straightforward, allowing readers to grasp meanings easily while expanding their lexicon. Repetitive structures are often employed for emphasis, making it easier for learners to remember phrases and sentence constructions.

The folktales in "Arabic Stories for Language Learners" serve as both entertaining narratives and educational tools. They encapsulate essential cultural values while providing language learners with engaging content that enhances their understanding of Arabic language and culture. Through these stories, readers not only learn vocabulary and grammar but also gain insight into the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern folklore.

[Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arabic Stories for Language Learners offers a unique approach to language acquisition by weaving together traditional Middle Eastern tales with structured learning tools. The carefully selected stories provide a rich tapestry of cultural insights and linguistic challenges.

The authors have demonstrated a keen eye for selecting stories that are both culturally significant and linguistically accessible. The tales, ranging from folktales to historical anecdotes, offer a diverse range of narrative styles and vocabulary. The adaptation of these stories for language learners is commendable. By simplifying complex sentence structures and introducing vocabulary gradually, the authors have made these classic tales approachable for learners at different levels.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to immerse learners in Arab culture. The stories offer glimpses into traditional values, social customs, and historical events. This cultural context enriches the language learning experience and fosters a deeper appreciation for the Arabic-speaking world.

The gradual increase in linguistic complexity across the stories is well-paced. Early tales focus on basic vocabulary and sentence structure, while later stories introduce more complex grammatical features and idiomatic expressions. This progressive approach ensures that learners are challenged but not overwhelmed.

The stories are crafted in a manner that is both engaging and informative. The narratives are often humorous, suspenseful, or thought-provoking, captivating the reader’s attention. The inclusion of questions at the end of each story encourages active engagement and critical thinking.

Arabic Stories for Language Learners successfully combines the art of storytelling with the science of language learning. By presenting authentic cultural narratives in a digestible format, the book provides a valuable resource for learners seeking to develop both language proficiency and cultural understanding. While the book primarily focuses on language acquisition, the embedded cultural insights make it a truly enriching experience.

[Dev Bhuma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book's dual-language format allows learners to read each story in both Arabic and English, facilitating comprehension and reinforcing vocabulary. This structure is particularly beneficial for beginners and intermediate learners, as it provides a scaffolded approach to language learning. The stories are generally concise, making them manageable for readers who may feel overwhelmed by longer texts. This brevity also allows for repeated exposure to core vocabulary, which is essential for language retention.

One of the strengths of this collection is its progressive complexity. The narratives start with simple vocabulary and sentence structures, gradually introducing more intricate grammatical concepts and idiomatic expressions. This thoughtful pacing helps learners build confidence as they advance through the stories, ensuring that they are challenged without becoming discouraged.

The narratives themselves are diverse, encompassing a range of themes that reflect traditional Arab values, morals, and historical contexts. While some readers have noted inconsistencies in the English translations, many appreciate the overall clarity and accessibility of the text. The inclusion of illustrations relevant to each tale adds an engaging visual element that enhances understanding and enjoyment.

Certain stories are difficult to comprehend and lack clear morals, which can be frustrating for those looking for straightforward lessons. Additionally, while the lack of diacritics may pose a challenge for absolute beginners, it encourages learners to develop their reading skills independently. "Arabic Stories for Language Learners" is a commendable resource that successfully combines language learning with cultural exploration. Brosh's ability to curate stories that are both entertaining and educational makes this book a worthwhile addition to any Arabic learner's library. It serves as an excellent starting point for those interested in delving into the Arabic language while gaining insights into its rich folklore and traditions.

[moni]

as a lot of people have mentioned, the stories arent exactly credible and present a skewed view of the culture, the only value this book brings is the formatting of the stories, theyre bite-sized and not overwhelming for new learners.
instead of this I'd recommend finding a shorter book you've previously read in a language you know and finding a translation of it in arabic! any book thats written in letter form or short stories works!

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the stories. Though I only read the English translation of the stories. I enjoyed them especially "The Thief Who Was Robbed" where two men steal a donkey, one of the thief's tries to sell the donkey only to be deceived by the potential customer. The donkey get's stolen.
"The parent asked: Did you sell the donkey?
He said: Yes.
The partner asked: For how much?
And the thief said: For the same amount that we paid for it, and this(with fish) bowl is the profit."(Brosh,58)

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic bilingual reader. The excerpts are interesting and reasonably challenging vocabulary wise. I definitely recommend learners past an intermediate level work through this book. You do need to know the grammar though as the texts are not fully vocalized. All in all, this is excellent practice.

[Muhamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good collection of stories for learning Arabic. Some stories may not be ideal in terms of the narrative but great for the purpose of language learning.

[Syed Faizan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Dandy Dzakyesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is just weird that they write the source for every pictures, but does not include it for the stories.

[Kazik Michalik · Rating 4 out of 5]

تعلمت غزارة من كلمات عربية من هذا كتاب ممتع

[Tari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice innovative concept for intermediate arabic learners to learn. The stories are very short, which makes it very easy to read and not boring. Some words aren't translated directly however, which makes it harder to pick up the new arabic vocabulary so I wish the translation was more exact. Overall a unique one of a kind book and I wish there were more books like this.

[LayDownYourSoul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good selection of stories, including some familiar ones as well as stories that were unfamiliar and illuminating on the history and culture surrounding them. Loved the inclusion of classical artwork to illustrate the stories, as well as the short length and ease of reading.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

.:edits:.

The King and the Miller, pgs. 40-41

"A king visited a wheat mill that belonged to an old miller. He saw the donkey that turned the grindstone to grind the wheat and noticed that the miller put a string of bells around the donkey's neck. The donkey was moving and the bells were ringing with a beautiful sound. The king asked the miller: Why did you attach a string of bells around the donkey's neck? Sometimes when I feel tired I close my eyes, and if the bells stops making noise, I know the donkey has stopped moving the miller said. And if the donkey stops and begins to toss his head back and forth, don't the bells sound? asked the king. The miller answered him, smiling: And where would the donkey get the mind of a king?"

Manhood Among the Arabs, pgs. 60-61

"A horseman was crossing the desert on his horse, and the heat was intense and the sand burned. He encountered on his path a man walking on foot, in pain from the intensity of the hot sand, so the horseman felt pity for him. He got off his horse and let the man ride in order to rest a little. When the man was mounted on the horse, he rushed off and escaped. The owner shouted after him, saying: I gave you the horse, and I will not ask about it after today, but I ask that you keep silent about this affair with other people, so that it won't spread among the Arab tribes, and the strong won't help the weak and the rider won't pity the man walking, and manhood will leave this desert. When the thief heard these words, he understood the importance of manhood in the desert, and he returned the horse to its owner, ashamed."

[Liam Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the sort of book that there is too few of! Genuine cultural insight, a bilingual facing-page format and a disc containing recordings of the text. Maximum respect to the author and the publisher.

[Y Kanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to practice reading arabic. It has short stories of two pages or more which contain a translation next to it. The stories are also arab classics which give you a greater understanding of old arab society and way of life, which still influences the arab world till this day.