The urban population is in general deficient in The reason for
this is that the student has previously obtained a habit
incompatible with the desired (Arabic linguistic) habit, since
he has grown up speaking the sedentary language, which was
influenced by non-Arab (speech) to such a degree that,
eventually, the original habit of the (Arabic) language was
replaced by another. This (other habit) is the language of the
present-day sedentary population. Therefore, we find that
teachers (attempt to) teach children the (Arabic) language 1393
first. The grammarians think that this is done through grammar.
But this is not so. It is done through teaching them the
(linguistic) habit through direct contact with the (Arabic)
language and Arab speech. It is true that grammar comes closer
(than anything else) to bringing about contact with those
(things). The more firmly rooted in non-Arab (speech habits) an
urban language is and the more remote it is from the language of
the Mudar, the less able are its speakers to learn