This monograph is an important contribution to the study of lexical acquisition and the larger question of developing a standard Arabic as a second language through literacy. Since large numbers of individuals learn Arabic for religious as well as economic reasons in Africa , Central Asia and East Asia this topic has implications far beyond its focused discussion of semantic and formal properties in the process of analyzing Arabic words into patterns and underlying roots. Dr Badry uses language acquisition among dialect speaking and Berber speaking Moroccans as the basis of her research study and makes interesting and important conclusions regarding lexical acquisition and mastery in Arabic.