Arabic is the official language of Egypt. Egyptian Arabic differs from Classical Arabic through sounds and colloquial expressions, and is widely understood within Arabic-speaking countries. As a guest in a foreign country, it is important to try to understand and adapt to the culture, which includes language. Learning the language makes it easier for you to understand the way Egyptians communicate, as well as their sense of humour and the reason for the countless spelling errors in restaurant menus and signs. Although you don’t need to be fluent in Arabic, it is highly recommended that you learn some “basic” Arabic. This will simplify many daily life situations, such as communicating with the bawaab, ordering delivery and groceries and taking a cab. Mastering some essential phrases and learning basic verbs and vocabulary will also boost your self-confidence when getting around Cairo and Egypt. Learning the numbers and basic words will also give you assertion while bargaining. Speaking Egyptian Arabic in Khan El Khalili will ensure paying a fair price for your purchasing.
Private Tutoring is an option to learn Arabic in Cairo, depending on your level of interest. As a private tutor I offer colloquial spoken Arabic classes, with an interactive student-teacher approach, focused on “practical” and “basicl” Arabic. No matter how proficient you are in Arabic, Egyptians will be impressed upon any attempt to practice your broken Arabic. As soon as you pronounce “asalam alekum”, they will start a fast-paced conversation assuming you understand every single word they say. The few words you’ll be able to pick out of the monologue will allow you to grasp the main subject of the conversation, and provide an answer which will only amaze them. The main point is to overcome the fear of pronouncing these guttural sounds and practice, practice, practice! The results will be rewarding!
quote:Originally posted by ah_farrag: As soon as you pronounce “asalam alekum”, they will start a fast-paced conversation assuming you understand every single word they say.
Unfortunately the opposite is true, usually people will try to speak English with you even if you clearly indicate that you're not interested in speaking English. I often get into situations which I find quite bizarre where I - the foreigner - speak only Arabic and the Egyptian I'm talking to speaks only English.
Posted by r_wood (Member # 7119) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dalia: [QUOTE]Originally posted by ah_farrag: [b] As soon as you pronounce “asalam alekum”, they will start a fast-paced conversation assuming you understand every single word they say.
Unfortunately the opposite is true, usually people will try to speak English with you even if you clearly indicate that you're not interested in speaking English. I often get into situations which I find quite bizarre where I - the foreigner - speak only Arabic and the Egyptian I'm talking to speaks only English. [/B][/QUOTE]
Not true
Posted by Dalia (Member # 1230) on :
I'm not lying ... why would I?
Posted by ah_farrag (Member # 4717) on :
Dear Mis Dalia I respect your point of view, and I'm sure you had such experiences you told us, but please let me clear the matter.... English speakers could come to Egypt (or many Arabic speaking countries) and never need to speak a word of Arabic due to the widespread knowledge of English. However, it is a lot more fun to be able to communicate in the local language, even if just a small amount. The more you know of Arab culture by acquisition of the language, the more sophisticated understanding you have of “the Arab World.” öAlso there are approximately 250 million native speakers of Arabic. Some specialists say, “It’s often treated like a dead language and it’s nowhere near dying! You’re not just learning language, you are learning a whole new way of life and it’s enriching. That’s the way Arabic should be approached.”
Thank you Ahmed
Posted by Ann (Member # 106) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dalia: [QUOTE]Originally posted by ah_farrag: [b] As soon as you pronounce “asalam alekum”, they will start a fast-paced conversation assuming you understand every single word they say.
Unfortunately the opposite is true, usually people will try to speak English with you even if you clearly indicate that you're not interested in speaking English. I often get into situations which I find quite bizarre where I - the foreigner - speak only Arabic and the Egyptian I'm talking to speaks only English. [/B][/QUOTE]
Dalia, that's very true.
Posted by Dalia (Member # 1230) on :
quote:Originally posted by ah_farrag: English speakers could come to Egypt (or many Arabic speaking countries) and never need to speak a word of Arabic due to the widespread knowledge of English. However, it is a lot more fun to be able to communicate in the local language, even if just a small amount. The more you know of Arab culture by acquisition of the language, the more sophisticated understanding you have of “the Arab World.” öAlso there are approximately 250 million native speakers of Arabic. Some specialists say, “It’s often treated like a dead language and it’s nowhere near dying! You’re not just learning language, you are learning a whole new way of life and it’s enriching. That’s the way Arabic should be approached.”
I don't understand your post. What does this have to do with the point I made - that it is often very hard to get people to communicate with you in Arabic, even if their English might be even worse than your Arabic.
Posted by sonomod (Member # 3864) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dalia: [QUOTE]Originally posted by ah_farrag: [b] English speakers could come to Egypt (or many Arabic speaking countries) and never need to speak a word of Arabic due to the widespread knowledge of English. However, it is a lot more fun to be able to communicate in the local language, even if just a small amount. The more you know of Arab culture by acquisition of the language, the more sophisticated understanding you have of “the Arab World.” öAlso there are approximately 250 million native speakers of Arabic. Some specialists say, “It’s often treated like a dead language and it’s nowhere near dying! You’re not just learning language, you are learning a whole new way of life and it’s enriching. That’s the way Arabic should be approached.”
I don't understand your post. What does this have to do with the point I made - that it is often very hard to get people to communicate with you in Arabic, even if their English might be even worse than your Arabic.
[/B][/QUOTE]
I got this repeatively, some wouldn't even clarify my pronounciation of my Egyptian Arabic. I try with my husband and he sits there and blows smoke through his nostrals like a bull. He isn't even interested in me learning. He doesn't think I need to learn. Its infuriating.
But I will learn, I want to speak Egyptian clearly and to read it just the same. I dream of a deep conversation on Greek philospy and Averroes with my FIL.
You miss out on so much if you don't understand Egyptian Arabi in Egypt. Sanitized living beyound belief.
