John Samaha

Professor John Samaha teaches Arabic at George Mason University (GMU) since 2006, where he established an Arabic minor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. He also lectures in the University of Maryland's Graduate Studies in Interpreting & Translation (GSIT) program since 2015 and serves as Adjunct Professor at Virginia International University (VIU).

Education:

• Master of Science in Arabic Language & Linguistics, Georgetown University (1989)
• Bachelor of Arts in French Language & Literature, George Mason University (1981)

Research Interests: Professor Samaha specializes in

• Arabic dialectology
• Translation methodologies
• Language standardization
• Arab-American cultural studies
• Foreign language examination design
• Language education pedagogy

His work bridges academic instruction with federal language program development, particularly focusing on Arabic language proficiency and cultural awareness.

Scientific Awards:

• Award for Arabic Romanization Course adopted as Congressional transliteration standard for Arabic personal names

Professional Affiliations: He has taught at the Middle East Institute, Georgetown University, Northern Virginia Community College, and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He contributed to the U.S. Navy's Iraqi Arabic curriculum and reviewed learning objects for the National Foreign Language Center's computer-based distance learning program.

Contact: Email jsamaha@gmu.edu or call 703.993.1220. Office hours by appointment in Aquia Building.