Fus'ha (language)
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Fuṣ′ḥá (Arabic: فصحى pronounced "Fuṣ-Ḥá") is a collective term referring to the standard varieties of the Arabic language, as opposed to the vernacular varieties of Arabic. Many western scholars distinguish two common Fus′ha varieties: Classical Arabic, that was used during the 6th and 7th centuries A.D., and Modern Standard Arabic, the standard written language used today (not the vernaculars, though). Despite the large historical gap between them, the two varieties remain largely intelligible, and MSA remains relatively uniform regardless of its place of origin. Thus, most Arabs consider the two varieties to be one.
The word Fus'ha is used to indicate non-vernacular or correct Arabic. Its grammar is formally studied. It is the language variety that is understood all across the Arab world. Unlike Arabic vernaculars it is not a regional language of any region, but more of an international Arabic. The language of the Quran is this variety of Arabic, and because of that Muslims view it with more respect. Non Arab Muslims prefer it over other varieties because of the Quran.
Due to diglossia, many varieties of Arabic coexist. Which level (fus'ha or a vernacular) is spoken often depends on formality. The most noted example is if a situation is formal Fus'ha is used. In reality Arabic diglossia is extremely complex; people are likely to mix various Fus'ha features in with a vernacular, depending on audience. Vernaculars come in many different varieties depending on region, and socioeconomic status, etc. Even when Arabs speak Fus'ha, native speakers can guess their origin, because they speak with the phonology of their native dialect. For example, Egyptians generally speak as /ج/ "g" not as "j", Lebanese would generally use a non-affricated "j" as in French rather than the affricate "j" (dj) used in English and Quranic Arabic. Only in the pronunciation in the Quran is there no difference.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Arabic Gems Learn about the intricacies and subtleties of Arabic linguistic and morphology.
