Jacob Halpin is a British diplomat who learned Arabic with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, studying it at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies and at centers in Jordan and Lebanon. He then spent five years posted in the Middle East, living in Baghdad, Beirut, and Amman while also continuing to improve his Arabic. He is now based in London.
This book is a must-read for anyone considering learning, or already learning, Arabic. It answers the questions and allays the concerns that every Arabic learner faces but that traditional textbooks just don't tackle. I wish it had been written years ago. * Elisabeth Kendall, Senior Research Fellow in Arabic Studies, University of Oxford * I wish I had this guide by my side as I started out on the Arabic journey. Jacob Halpin demystifies, clarifies, and reassures that Arabic can be learned, and indeed mastered. Outstanding. -- Gareth Bayley, Former UK Special Representative for Syria Learning Arabic is an amazing experience, though for some months it can feel more like just a maze. This insightful, sympathetic, and precise guide will help any learner achieve their goals and avoid getting lost on the way. * Jon Wilks, British Ambassador to Qatar, Iraq, Oman, and Yemen and British government Arabic Spokesman * Jacob Halpin's Thirteen Ways to Make a Plural is an excellent, succinct Arabic primer that would benefit any new student of the language. He offers sound, accurate advice that is evidently grounded in years of Arabic expertise. Highly recommend. * Donovan Nagel, linguist, translator, and founder of TalkInArabic.com * This engaging volume is not a text book: it might rather be called a pre-text book. It won't teach you Arabic, but it will give you an idea of the language. If you are thinking of studying it, or have decided to learn it or are in the early stages of learning it, you will find in it sound practical advice. * Sir Harold Walker, former diplomat and one-time Principal Instructor at the Middle East Centre for Arab Studies, Lebanon * This is an invaluable guide for Arabic learners and teachers alike. One of the major challenges for students of Arabic as a foreign language is defining which aspects of this vast language and its dialects to learn and in which order; there is no easy answer and for each learner the priorities will differ. This very readable book helps learners to navigate the many different ways to approach studying Arabic and to manage their expectations and better evaluate their progress. Not just for beginners, this thought-provoking book is full of practical tips for intermediate and even advanced learners to develop their weaker skills and move to the next level. * Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp, Arabic teacher and translator *