Teaching an Arabic Dialect to Non-Native Learner in the Mid-Fifteenth Century Case Study: Al-Balāṭī Manuscript

Teaching a form of Syrian dialect is documented in a manuscript by Ottoman poet and writer Ḥassān ibn Naṣūḥ ar-Rūmī al-Balāṭī dating back to around 1445. He aimed to instruct individuals interested in travelling to Arab countries in spoken Arabic. In his introduction, al-Balāṭī explains his motivation for writing this book, emphasizing his intention to move away from the traditional grammatical approach commonly used in Arabic language instruction. Instead, he employed communicative strategies; his work demonstrates his recognition of the contextual requirements for second language learners within an immersive setting. Additionally, al-Balāṭī utilised Ottoman Turkish as a medium language in teaching the Arabic dialects. The manuscript sheds light on the author’s methodology for teaching the dialects spoken in northern Syria some 600 years ago. Furthermore, this paper will delve into his approach to grammar presentation, incorporation of cultural nuances and values, topic selection, and other aspects highlighted within the text.