Harsusi is one of the Modern South Arabian languages. The name of this group is misleading. These languages are not related to any form Arabic but constitute a separate branch of the South-Semitic languages. Beside Harsusi, Modern South Arabian languages include Mehri, Hobyot, Bathari, Jibbali, Hobyot, Soqotri.

The Harsusi language is very close to Mehri. The published material on Harsusi is extremely limited. The only fairly recent information on this language is from Prof. T.M. Johnstone (+ 1983).

It is not known whether there are any Harsusi speakers left. Johnstone indicated that this language is probably extinct.

A course in Harsusi is given at Leiden University by Prof.dr. Harry Stroomer. The course is intended for students of Arabic and Semitic languages and comprises the following elements:

• an introduction to Modern South Arabian languages in general.
• an introduction to Harsusi phonology, morphology and syntax.
• linguistic analysis of Harsusi texts from the Johnstone papers.

Literature used in the course on Harsusi:
T.M. Johnstone,

• 1977 Harsusi Lexicon and English-Harsusi index, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 1977.
• 1987 Mehri Lexicon and English-Mehri Word-list, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 1987.

• 1999 Mehri texts from Oman, based on the field materials of Prof. T.M. Johnstone (+ 1983), Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden, (series Semitica Viva, editor Otto Jastrow) 1999, xxix + 302p. texts)
• forthc. Harsusi texts from Oman, based on the field materials of Prof. T.M. Johnstone (+ 1983), Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden, (series Semitica Viva, editor Otto Jastrow), forthcoming)