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The systematic study of the phonology of Arabic was undertaken by Al-Khaliil and then elaborated on by his student Sibawayh in the 8th century. This chapter presents a general description and discussion of the phonology of Arabic. The sound system of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is briefly discussed and compared to the sound system of Classical Arabic (CA) as described by CA grammarians. Differences, or possible differences, between them are highlighted. The phonemic inventory of MSA is then compared to those of the other Arabic spoken varieties, conventionally classified into six main dialect groups from East to West: Gulf Arabic (GA), Iraqi Arabic (IA), Levantine Arabic (LA), Yemeni Arabic (YA), Egyptian Arabic (EA), and Maghrebi Arabic (MA). Comparisons among these varieties are drawn in terms of sound system, syllable structure, and stress patterns. Some sound alternations in different dialects are analyzed within an Obligatory Contour Principle (OCP)–driven framework. Additionally, processes such as assimilation, affrication, lenition, and pharyngealization are discussed.
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