Pronunciation of Arabic
Excerpted from a Research Department Memorandum
Dated 8 August 1995


"Proper" Pronunciation of Arabic

Mr. ... wishes to know whether there is any guidance in the Baha'i Writings
about the style of pronunciation which Baha'is should adopt when learning to
speak Arabic.

The Research Department has found nothing in the Baha'i Writings which refers to the "proper" pronunciation of Arabic. However, we provide the following observations for Mr. ...'s consideration:


Baha'is who are neither Arabs nor Persians have generally picked up a pronunciation similar to that of the Persians because they have learned it from Persian Baha'is, but there is no constraint on them to follow this pattern if they are familiar with Arabic and wish to pronounce Arabic words in the Arabic manner. This could, however, present them with some practical difficulties unless they are in an Arab country. If, for example, when in America, Mr. ... pronounces "Ridvan" in the Arabic manner, it may puzzle those who will hear the majority of their fellow Baha'is, Persian and American, using the Persian pronunciation or an approximation to it.