Error Analysis of the Pronunciation of Arabic Consonants by Egyptian Learners

Abstract

This paper presents some of the most recurrent pronunciation errors made by Egyptian learners of Tajweed. The study mainly investigates the production of Arabic consonants during the recitation of Qur’an. Participants read and recite verses of Qur’an in front of Sheikha (teacher) who teaches them rules of Tajweed. The study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach and the analysis is based on the reading and recitation of Qur’an by three informants who are of different ages; 70, 42 and 34 years old. The study shows their progress after three years of learning Tajweed and reciting Qur’an. The first results represent their pronunciation errors during an early stage of learning Tajweed, while the second results represent their pronunciation errors after three years of learning. It is found that at an early stage of learning, there are some common errors in the pronunciation of Arabic consonants such as velarization of some consonants that are not originally velarized and attenuation of some consonants that are originally emphatic and other processes such as substitution. In later stage of learning, results show progress in the pronunciation of consonants. The results, moreover, show that certain social factors can help in accelerating the progress of learning as seen through the improvement of the three informants.