Modern Standard Arabic vs Local Arabic Dialects: The Truth No One Tells You

When learning Arabic dialects, don’t confuse yourself about Modern Standard Arabic vs Local Arabic Dialects.

The MSA is the formal and syntactical version of the language, used widely in publications and broadcasting media. Whereas dialects are spoken variations that differ in grammar and pronunciation due to geographical and historical diversity. Dialects are how locals express themselves and interact vocally.

While at their core, both variants share similarities, the dialects vary with additional local words, alternative expressions, slang, long practices, and way of delivery. Each has its own ideal use cases; all you have to do is find which one you should aim to learn and why.

If you are interested in the differences between these two forms of the language, this article will help you with that.

You will learn:

• The practicality of the formal and locally spoken Arabic communications
• Definitions of the Modern Standard Arabic and Local Dialects
• When Should You Choose a Local Dialect
• Whether Knowledge of the MSA Helps in Learning a Dialect or Not
• How to Navigate Modern Standard Arabic vs Arabic Dialects

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)

The MSA unites the Arab world under a single language. Derived from Classical Arabic, it is the official language of 26 countries. While widely taken as the primary dialect of the Arabian nation, MSA is more prevalent in formal settings.

You can characterize the MSA by its

• Strict syntactical formation
• Case heavy expressions
• Learned, not inherited
• Standardized for formal communication

Local Arabic Dialects

Dialects belong to a certain ethnic group, culture, and region. Inherited as mother tongue, dialects reflect the natural and pure emotions of the speakers. They vary widely from region to region, outlining ancestral practices and way of living.

Arabic has multiple dialects across nations. Each dialect is influenced by the historical and cultural impacts and adaptations. That’s why some dialects are rich in French loanwords, while some have embodied a few Western linguistic elements.

Over time, these dialects, despite their similarities, have developed some distance between each other. Which is distinguishable in their varied intonations and accents.

Local dialects can be characterized by their

• Unique pronunciations of letters
• The highs and lows of the lilts
• The pace at which they are delivered
• Separate set of local words
• Unique naming of goods and foods
• Specific slang and idioms

Where Modern Standard Arabic Shows Up In Real Life

You will find MSA where it is designed to be. In the formal settings. But it’s far from being infused in the lives of the locals. Taught in schools as the official language, it stays apart from native contexts. You will rarely see natives use it in their daily conversations.

Let’s position MSA amid the many dialects dominating the Arabian lands:

MSA vs Dialect

MSA is more of a gateway to cross-cultural interactions. When two people from different dialects or languages need to communicate, MSA fits in. Whereas dialect is favored by the locals as a natural response to their emotions.

Other major differences include:

• Phonetic deviations in a few letters
• Usage of case endings
• Naming of the everyday objects
• Borrowed words
• Pace and flow

MSA vs Egyptian Arabic

The Egyptian dialect has come into popularity due to its strong media coverage. Its syntactical boundary is loose, compared to MSA. The dialect also has a tendency to adopt words from other languages. Qaf isn’t strongly audible in Egypt, sounding more like a glottal stop.

MSA vs Levantine Arabic

Levantine is the dialect of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. Listening to it, the first thing you will notice is its rhythms and tones. They don’t sync with MSA’s moderate and classical pace.

MSA vs Maghrebi Arabic

Maghrebi is the voice of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya residences. The dialect differs from MSA in its French, Berber, and Spanish-influenced vocabulary, phonology, and speed of speech.

MSA vs Gulf Arabic

Verbalized by the population in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, this dialect is often considered the closest to the MSA. With a few variations in its phonology, words, and accent, Gulf Arabic may still sound different to MSA practitioners.

When to Choose a Dialect?

Your decision to learn Arabic is understandable. The language is the face of a great and diverse history. But why should you choose a dialect over the MSA?

• If you are planning to stay in a particular locality for a long time or permanently
• If your goal doesn’t involve academic or formal communications
• If you want to blend with the local communities and become closer by speaking their mother tongue
• If you are simply curious about the dialects and want to explore their nuances

Should you Learn Modern Standard Arabic or a Dialect first?

You can take any approach. Learning MSA won’t hurt even if your primary goal is to learn a specific dialect. You can also pick up a dialect directly and come to MSA if the necessity arises.

The MSA-first approach is often called the Academic Path. Due to its emphasis on grammar, it may initially feel more challenging. The roadmap will prepare you for institutional and formal conversations.

The dialect-first roadmap helps you be ready for the social atmosphere. It will make you understand the local colloquy. It’s the best path when your target is to walk the street, converse with the passerby, ask for help, live among the majority, feel them more closely, and laugh at their jokes.

How to Choose Your Dialect

Upon reading this far, you may be questioning yourself: Which Arabic dialect should I learn?

The answer is not so hard to fathom. If you feel otherwise, it’s time you defined your goal. 

Consider the following to set your priorities:

• The Gulf dialect is the most lucrative choice, inviting speakers to one of the largest and fastest-growing economies. The dialect also has its roots in the religious and cultural backdrop of the Arabic world. Best for learners looking for jobs, planning to build up a business, and desiring to communicate with the natives of Makka and Madina in their cherished dialect
• The Levantine dialect should get your attention if you want to research the Eastern Mediterranean history, or want to live there
• The Egyptian dialect would be a good pick if you are a fan of Arabic pop culture. From TV shows, movies, to songs, most of the Arabic content you see in the media is based on this dialect.
• The Maghrebi dialect will introduce you to the indigenous lives of the African-Arabian populations

How Al Masud Academy Helps?

Al Masud Academy is the most trusted platform for learners seeking to master the Gulf dialect with a self-manageable plan. All the courses are beginner-friendly and online. The platform offers native teachers to guide students through the regular Gulf expressions with accuracy. Their expert counsel will also help you overcome confusion related to dialectical diversity.

You will get

• Live Arabic Zoom Classes: Learn Arabic online under the supervision of a seasoned teacher via live group sessions.
• Dedicated Pre-recorded Course: Gives online Arabic students the chance to learn at their own pace.
• Lifetime Access: Buy once, and get updates on course content, recorded sessions, and other resources, so you can revisit and relearn what you forget. 
• Active WhatsApp Community: Build confidence by practicing together with hundreds of learners pursuing the same goal. Speak, engage, and grow together without falling behind.

Wrapping Up

Don’t trade in the argument over Modern Standard Arabic vs spoken Arabic. MSA will give you the freedom to travel across Arab nations. While dialects help in connecting with a specific ethnicity. Locals love to see foreigners talk in their dialects. Out of appreciation, they show more friendliness. If social bonds with a particular ethnicity are what you seek, dialects should be the right choice.

FAQ

What is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)?

The Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is a syntactically steady and modernized form of Arabic, used internationally in formal, news, and publication settings. 

What are Local Arabic Dialects?

Local Arabic dialects are how locals speak and sound when conversing in their day-to-day life. Much of its vocabulary and delivery depends on the local practices and culture.

How Different are MSA and Local Dialects?

The MSA sets the formal boundaries of the language, while dialects are free, passed through generations, and spoken in local daily conversations.   

Can Speakers of Different Dialects Understand Each Other?

With each dialect having a few nuances in pronunciation, pace, and vocabulary, locals from separate Arabic nations don’t sound the same. So there is a chance for one dialect speaker to understand the others to some extent.

Which One Should I Learn First?

Dialects should be your go-to choice if you are planning to live in any Arabic states for a long time and want to sound exactly like the locals. 

Do Native Speakers Use MSA in Daily Life?

Locals use dialects, the tongue that comes naturally to them, in their daily conversations. The MSA comes as a formal form, learned in school with standard pronunciation and vocabulary, and is only used in formal and publication settings.

What Should I Choose Between MSA vs Dialects?

In general, dialects are more related to locality. Adapting words from neighboring and empirical nations, and simplified over time, they have become a little distant. So choosing a dialect is a highly personal choice. While MSA is universally accepted, Arabic is used as the official language. For academic and formal usage, it should be your go-to choice.

What Differs MSA from Dialects?

The primary distinction lies in the way of delivery. Dialects are local spoken derivatives of Arabic. As mother tongues of particular ethnicities, they often have softened or varied pronunciations of a few letters and pace.  

Do Speakers of Different Arabic Dialects Understand Each Other?

As all dialects come from the same root, they are understandable to some extent among all the speakers. However, the way of delivery, the accent, and a few local words stir a few distinctions.