Learning Arabic

Suhad · 09-20-2007, 02:00 AM

OK, I know I am making this probably harder on myself than it needs to be...I am learning the Egyptian dialect of Arabic, because I have read in several places that when visiting Egypt it is easier to get around moneywise. So -- when I have questions I try to look it up on the internet. Bad Idea! There are sooo many different dialects and ways to say something I'm just getting confused!

I'm glad there's a 'turtle' button. I need to slow the tracks down so I can hear and pronounce correctly, but I'm afraid I'll never be able to speak that quickly! I don't even speak English that quickly, and I have trouble understanding people from the East Coast of America because they do talk at such a rapid pace.

Also, the software I'm using basically forces one to also learn the alphabet and script, because it requires you to identify words by sight. This part I like. Pictures of the object in many cases as well, to reinforce the words.

I know there was a thread some time ago about learning Arabic, but is anyone still trying to learn? My drumming teacher is Middle Eastern, but since I started my new job I haven't been able to connect with him to practice my language as well as my drumming.

Aisha Azar · 09-20-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suhad

OK, I know I am making this probably harder on myself than it needs to be...I am learning the Egyptian dialect of Arabic, because I have read in several places that when visiting Egypt it is easier to get around moneywise. So -- when I have questions I try to look it up on the internet. Bad Idea! There are sooo many different dialects and ways to say something I'm just getting confused!

I'm glad there's a 'turtle' button. I need to slow the tracks down so I can hear and pronounce correctly, but I'm afraid I'll never be able to speak that quickly! I don't even speak English that quickly, and I have trouble understanding people from the East Coast of America because they do talk at such a rapid pace.

Also, the software I'm using basically forces one to also learn the alphabet and script, because it requires you to identify words by sight. This part I like. Pictures of the object in many cases as well, to reinforce the words.

I know there was a thread some time ago about learning Arabic, but is anyone still trying to learn? My drumming teacher is Middle Eastern, but since I started my new job I haven't been able to connect with him to practice my language as well as my drumming.

Dear Suhad,
Have you tried just looking for a conversational Arabic course? I have the U.S. military one from about 25 years ago and it is quite good. The dialect is (supposedly) Saudi, though the guy sounds more Levantine to me. You might be able to find something like "Conversational Egyptian Arabic" at a library or similar place.
Best wishes on that!
Regards,
A'isha

pearl · 09-20-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suhad

I know there was a thread some time ago about learning Arabic, but is anyone still trying to learn? My drumming teacher is Middle Eastern, but since I started my new job I haven't been able to connect with him to practice my language as well as my drumming.

Do you mean to say that not many people learn arabic nowadays? Or have I misunderstood? I was going to start learning it about 2 years ago, just as a hobby. Instead I started turkish. Is arabic really difficult?

Suhad · 09-20-2007, 04:45 PM

Aisha, believe it or not there are so many different conversational Arabic courses to choose from now it is amazing!

I have the Pimsleur course; they have not only Egyptian Arabic but Lebanon, Moroccan, and I believe the Standard Arabic which is Syrian.

My husband got me the Rosetta stone software but he got it from someone else and the program is good but the discs are bad. I priced it in the store and I'll have to wait until I find a good used copy as $400 is a little out of my price range.

I also got a free course from the internet called Before You Know It; they even have an Egyptian Arabic I think. This is the one I'm presently working with. I can upgrade their course to the paid one and that will allow me to record my speech and the software will check my pronunciation.

I really wanted to just take the Arabic course offered at Northern Arizona University, but it's 4 days a week for 4 hours a day...not exactly doable when I have bills to be paid. But, maybe someday.

I have extra motivation -- where I work we see Arabic speakers every shift I work, and there are no on staff translators. Harry, one of the Spanish translators, is half Egyptian and he said that if I were to learn Arabic and take a certification test the hospital would probably give me an extra pay for being a translator. Now the money is cool, but being able to speak with my patients would be better.

Harry doesn't speak but a little because his parents kept that language as their private "parent speak."

Pearl, no I didn't mean to imply no one is learning it, I just remember some time ago that several people here on the board were learning it and was wondering if anyone was still.

Aisha Azar · 09-20-2007, 04:57 PM

Dear Suheir,
How wonderful to know that the language is now being taught in so many dialects!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arabic is a wonderful language and I love sitting with my friends and listening to them speak to each other. I do not understand a whole bunch of Arabic, just some, and I am very lazy because everyone has always been kind enough to translate for me. (Spoiled Brat on Board!!) I am terrible at learning languages for some reason. I have studied French, Arabic, Spanish and Latin and not done well at any of them, though I spoke French before I spoke English, according to my mother.
I hope you learn the language and get the job!
Regards,
A'isha

Kharmine · 09-20-2007, 05:05 PM

When I was in high school, my journalism teacher recommended that I learn either Chinese or Arabic. I did take both Cantonese and Mandarin in college, but either is a daunting language considering that the same words pronounced differently can mean vastly different things! I learned a decent accent, but could never feel comfortable speaking it, and learning the characters was a pain!

So now I am finally eyeing Arabic. I am tired of reading poorly translated subtitles in old Arabic-language films (Can you imagine Samia Gamal saying, "No way, Jose!"?), and wondering what the lyrics in many of my favorite songs mean.

Besides, I want to understand what is happening in the Middle East better. One thing I've learned in various language classes is that one learns as much about the people and their culture from the way they use words. And I don't like depending on the translation of the U.S. news media, let alone our State Department!

After all the time it took to earn two degrees I didn't want to have to enroll in college again just to take the only available Arabic courses offered in my area. Just recently, our community adult education program started offering a weekly class in beginning standard Arabic by what looks like a very good teacher so I have signed up. It starts in October and lasts until about mid-November so it will be at least a taste.

The book we will use I ordered secondhand from Amazon.com - "Ultimate Arabic -- Beginner/Intermediate." There is a CD that can go with this that I might order later if I like the class.

Granted, it's standard Arabic and not specific to any one ME region, but probably the standard for Arabic-language journalism in general. Also, I think most people are patient and helpful with foreigners who are at least trying to speak their language so I hope to be albe to use it abroad some day, when there is a little more peace.

Aisha Azar · 09-20-2007, 05:17 PM

Dear Soheir,
The other thing to remember about Arabic is that words can have different meanings from place to place and that slang can be very difficult. For example, in English we say, "Oh yeah, that'll happen", meaning there is practically no chance for an event or thing to happen. My Jordanian friends say "When the Salt Blooms", referring to the fact that nothing can grow around the Dead Sea and an event will be just as likely to happen as plants growing in the salty sand. My Saudi Friends say "Fil Mishmish", which loosely translates like "Tomorrow there will be apricots", to mean the same thing. Apricots are not grown in Saudi Arabia so this old saying means, "Yeah, that'll happen". There are Gulf Arabs who can not understand Moroccans, etc. Sometimes my Saudi friends have problems understanding my Egyptian friends, etc. I seem to understand some of what is said by everyone, but not very much of what anyone is saying! I will probably learn Arabic when the salt blooms!
Regards,
A'isha

pearl · 09-20-2007, 07:25 PM

I am very curious about arabic because my native language, maltese, is derived from Maghrebi arabic. Besides, maltese is the only semitic language written with the latin alphabet (now isn't that interesting?) The language has also been influenced by italian and english.

Latifa · 09-20-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pearl

I am very curious about arabic because my native language, maltese, is derived from Maghrebi arabic. Besides, maltese is the only semitic language written with the latin alphabet (now isn't that interesting?) The language has also been influenced by italian and english.

I've always been fascinated by Maltese because of the Arabic connection. Are there any books on the Maltese language? Hmmm. I'll go Google it...

pearl · 09-20-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latifa

I've always been fascinated by Maltese because of the Arabic connection. Are there any books on the Maltese language? Hmmm. I'll go Google it...

Do you know anyone from Malta Latifa?

My husband, who is German, did actually find a small book about Maltese. Its a little grammer book with some notes about the structure of the language. He hasn't learned much from it though!

Given the connection to arabic of the maltese language, I am unable to understand complete sentences in arabic, whether spoken or (much less) written. I did once try to communicate with some arab children who live close by by speaking to them in maltese. The could not understand except when I asked them their names and said, 'my name is..'

09-20-2007, 02:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Suhad Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 322	Learning Arabic OK, I know I am making this probably harder on myself than it needs to be...I am learning the Egyptian dialect of Arabic, because I have read in several places that when visiting Egypt it is easier to get around moneywise. So -- when I have questions I try to look it up on the internet. Bad Idea! There are sooo many different dialects and ways to say something I'm just getting confused! I'm glad there's a 'turtle' button. I need to slow the tracks down so I can hear and pronounce correctly, but I'm afraid I'll never be able to speak that quickly! I don't even speak English that quickly, and I have trouble understanding people from the East Coast of America because they do talk at such a rapid pace. Also, the software I'm using basically forces one to also learn the alphabet and script, because it requires you to identify words by sight. This part I like. Pictures of the object in many cases as well, to reinforce the words. I know there was a thread some time ago about learning Arabic, but is anyone still trying to learn? My drumming teacher is Middle Eastern, but since I started my new job I haven't been able to connect with him to practice my language as well as my drumming.

09-20-2007, 04:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Suhad Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 322	Aisha, believe it or not there are so many different conversational Arabic courses to choose from now it is amazing! I have the Pimsleur course; they have not only Egyptian Arabic but Lebanon, Moroccan, and I believe the Standard Arabic which is Syrian. My husband got me the Rosetta stone software but he got it from someone else and the program is good but the discs are bad. I priced it in the store and I'll have to wait until I find a good used copy as $400 is a little out of my price range. I also got a free course from the internet called Before You Know It; they even have an Egyptian Arabic I think. This is the one I'm presently working with. I can upgrade their course to the paid one and that will allow me to record my speech and the software will check my pronunciation. I really wanted to just take the Arabic course offered at Northern Arizona University, but it's 4 days a week for 4 hours a day...not exactly doable when I have bills to be paid. But, maybe someday. I have extra motivation -- where I work we see Arabic speakers every shift I work, and there are no on staff translators. Harry, one of the Spanish translators, is half Egyptian and he said that if I were to learn Arabic and take a certification test the hospital would probably give me an extra pay for being a translator. Now the money is cool, but being able to speak with my patients would be better. Harry doesn't speak but a little because his parents kept that language as their private "parent speak." Pearl, no I didn't mean to imply no one is learning it, I just remember some time ago that several people here on the board were learning it and was wondering if anyone was still. Last edited by Suhad; 09-20-2007 at 04:48 PM. Reason: adding something

09-20-2007, 04:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,458	Arabic Dear Suheir, How wonderful to know that the language is now being taught in so many dialects!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arabic is a wonderful language and I love sitting with my friends and listening to them speak to each other. I do not understand a whole bunch of Arabic, just some, and I am very lazy because everyone has always been kind enough to translate for me. (Spoiled Brat on Board!!) I am terrible at learning languages for some reason. I have studied French, Arabic, Spanish and Latin and not done well at any of them, though I spoke French before I spoke English, according to my mother. I hope you learn the language and get the job! Regards, A'isha

09-20-2007, 05:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kharmine V.I.P. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Foot of the Rocky Mountains Posts: 1,248	When I was in high school, my journalism teacher recommended that I learn either Chinese or Arabic. I did take both Cantonese and Mandarin in college, but either is a daunting language considering that the same words pronounced differently can mean vastly different things! I learned a decent accent, but could never feel comfortable speaking it, and learning the characters was a pain! So now I am finally eyeing Arabic. I am tired of reading poorly translated subtitles in old Arabic-language films (Can you imagine Samia Gamal saying, "No way, Jose!"?), and wondering what the lyrics in many of my favorite songs mean. Besides, I want to understand what is happening in the Middle East better. One thing I've learned in various language classes is that one learns as much about the people and their culture from the way they use words. And I don't like depending on the translation of the U.S. news media, let alone our State Department! After all the time it took to earn two degrees I didn't want to have to enroll in college again just to take the only available Arabic courses offered in my area. Just recently, our community adult education program started offering a weekly class in beginning standard Arabic by what looks like a very good teacher so I have signed up. It starts in October and lasts until about mid-November so it will be at least a taste. The book we will use I ordered secondhand from Amazon.com - "Ultimate Arabic -- Beginner/Intermediate." There is a CD that can go with this that I might order later if I like the class. Granted, it's standard Arabic and not specific to any one ME region, but probably the standard for Arabic-language journalism in general. Also, I think most people are patient and helpful with foreigners who are at least trying to speak their language so I hope to be albe to use it abroad some day, when there is a little more peace. __________________ What if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about? Last edited by Kharmine; 09-20-2007 at 05:07 PM.

09-20-2007, 05:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,458	Arabic Dear Soheir, The other thing to remember about Arabic is that words can have different meanings from place to place and that slang can be very difficult. For example, in English we say, "Oh yeah, that'll happen", meaning there is practically no chance for an event or thing to happen. My Jordanian friends say "When the Salt Blooms", referring to the fact that nothing can grow around the Dead Sea and an event will be just as likely to happen as plants growing in the salty sand. My Saudi Friends say "Fil Mishmish", which loosely translates like "Tomorrow there will be apricots", to mean the same thing. Apricots are not grown in Saudi Arabia so this old saying means, "Yeah, that'll happen". There are Gulf Arabs who can not understand Moroccans, etc. Sometimes my Saudi friends have problems understanding my Egyptian friends, etc. I seem to understand some of what is said by everyone, but not very much of what anyone is saying! I will probably learn Arabic when the salt blooms! Regards, A'isha

09-20-2007, 07:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
pearl Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Essen, Germany Posts: 40	I am very curious about arabic because my native language, maltese, is derived from Maghrebi arabic. Besides, maltese is the only semitic language written with the latin alphabet (now isn't that interesting?) The language has also been influenced by italian and english.