If you don't have Arabic script on your computer, just use transliteration. We go in order of the Arabic alphabet.


First up: alif

الأمريكية = amreekiya (America)

Next up: baa ب

I have Yusuf Islam's A is for Allah song in my head. Not suprising, since my Yusuf playlist with "An other cup" and "Footsteps in the Light" has gotten a lot of playtime on my ipod this week.

Baa is the beginning of Bismillah (in the name of God)

تأشيرة = visa

next up thaa = ث

Ok, my first time to play...hopefully I have this right, I am just learning script which I have been pushing back on for some time now.

شكرا = thanks

Next up Khaa = خ

~Kiyah~

The Arabic word should have began with thaa rather than the English word, but I am glad you are playing. I will look for an Arabic alphabet chart because the order is hard to memorize. Even if it is not in order, we are learning, right?

jiim follows thaa so I will continue with jiim

جديد jadid - new

Next up is Haa ح

حمار = hmar = donkey

next up khaa

Shukran! Yes, the order is so hard to memorize, this is only one of the reasons I have put off learning script, at first glance I thought "yeah right, I'll stick to english and roman letters thank you very much!" However, I want so much to read the Quran in script, not English. I think so much is lost in the translation to English even though I am sure they make a great effort to translate as close as possble.

~Kiyah~

I kept a printout of the alphabet taped to the side of my monitor for the longest time.

Also, it isn't necessary to write the words in Arabic script. English letters is fine too!

خمسة khamsa -- 5

next up is daal د

i wanna learn how to set up arabic on my keyboard.. But i tried and couldnt figure it out.. anyone know how to do it?? Once my husband gets here.. I know He would need it to talk to his family.. And I am DYing to start typing it

Go to your Control Panel.

Go to Regional and Language Options

Click on the Languages tab

Check the box under Supplemental Language Support that says Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages (including Thai)

Above that, under Text Services and input languages, click on Details Under Installed Services you want to add an Arabic language. The difference in Arabic 101 and Arabic 101 is usually only the key that you hit to make "dhaal".

Now you buy overlays so you can see where the keys are. I order from this site because their prices are so low 4Keyboard. The diacrits are not marked on the stickers, but not everyone uses them anyway. DataCal also sells them.

You can also download many different Arabic fonts that go from simple to rather detailed. This site links to many here

Wanted to edit but it was too late:

By default, there should now be a place on the right side of your taskbar that lets you choose between Arabic and English. If not, go back to where you added Arabic and click on Options. Go to Language Bar. Click on where you want it to be shown (desktop, taskbar). Also, by default, Left+Alt+Shift lets you switch between languages but this can be changed too in the same place under Key Settings.

I got almost there and a screen popped up Saying fileftlx041e.dll CD-ROM is needed and that i need to type where the file is located......... ?? I 'm stuck there

That file must have been deleted from your system 32 folder. There are websites that allow you download missing dll files. I would try downloading it if you don't have your OS discs.

http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?ftlx041e