I began to study arabic three times in the past. I gave up each time pretty early for various reasons. I intend to try once again.
Now, I’m wondering what arabic I should learn. The first time I was taught the egyptian version, the second time the Tunisian dialect, and the first time standard modern arabic.
I’m not sure what I should choose. I would strongly lean toward standart modern arabic, since I understand it’s used in newspapers, books, etc…, and that it’s taught in school, so I assume most people in arabic speaking countries should in theory be able to understand it.
However, I keep being told that standart arabic is of no use for communication purpose on an individual level, and that it won’t be used by arabic native speakers even when speaking with other native speakers from a different place (with a different dialect), let alone with a foreigner, and that they would rather use french or english, depending on the country.
I know I can get by with french/english in most cases in arabic speaking countries, but nevertheless, I would want to be able to communicate in the local language, or at least in somewhat more closely related to the local language. However, does it make more sense to try to communicate in standart arabic in say, Morocco, rather than in french, or will both be considered as much “foreign” by your average moroccan guy? Does it really make no sense to learn standart arabic when you intend to use it only as a communication tool (not for a professionnal purpose), as some people say?
Of course the fact I’d like to be able to read books/papers is important, so is the fact that dialects are used only locally, but I nevertheless would want to have some insight from people who learned arabic/lived in arabic countries to help me making my mind…