Language Aesthetic - Tumblr Posts

the arabic students

elegant calligraphy spilling across a page

learning to write in the naskh style

examining the language of the Quran, admiring the harmony of each phrase

brightly colored tiles, mosaics that fascinate the eye

pages of new vocabulary scattered around your room

reading myths of jinn and ghuls

conjugating verbs, carefully assembling root consonants with the proper vowel pattern 

recognizing arabic loan words in other languages

heavy textbooks with highlighter marks on every page

the taste of dates and spiced coffee 

knafeh with pistachios that melts on your tongue

copying a phrase dozens of times until each curve is perfect

centuries-old scientific treatises, discussions of principles that are still applicable today

the delicate notes of a lute

repeating noun declensions under your breath

taking a stack of flashcards everywhere you go

a love for the sounds of a new language

ghazal love poems with words you can feel deep in your chest

searching for arabic translations of your favorite books

studying the influence of ancient Arab scholars on modern science and philosophy