Arabic Linguist

Real Arab?

2007-04-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a Saudi that I know and as converstations between native and non-native speakers of Arabic tend to go we got onto the subject of dialect. We were speaking about the new Egyptian dialect DLPT5. He made a remark that I found rather funny, whic is roughly paraphrased below.

"Egyptians use lots of humor when they talk. It's just their way. When a real arab meets an egyptian they just start cracking up. They can't help it, it's just that they sound like a clown or a comedian"

MEMRITV

2007-04-18T15:16:00.000-07:00

As a learning resource MEMRITV is one of the best for culture and language that I have found.

Pros
- updated regularly with authentic video
- profesionaly quality translations
- English transcripts available

Cons
- material has a political agenda
- no Arabic script
- sometimes the website is slow (popular videos are often posted on YouTube.

You can learn quite a bit from watching the videos. It's easy to appreciate the quality of their translations. Many are on current events and feature prominent figures in the Middle East. A significant amount are about the more negative aspects of Arab culture. For a balanced view on their political agenda see Wikipedia's article about that controversy.

It is always a good idea to know about the source of your information. Any political article in Asharq Alawsat has to be looked at with the understanding that it is a Saudi paper. The same can be said of Fox News and CNN.

Not Sophisticated Enough

2007-04-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

This debate aired shortly after the execution of Saddam Hussein. It was translated by MEMRI. It's old news by now, but it illustrates my point rather well.

If that link doesn't work try here.
English transcript available here.

Watch the video and try to answer the following questions:

Which holiday was it and why was that significant?
Why does Mishan bring up Omar and Abu Bakr?
Why does Mishan call Sadeq a "persian shoe"?
What power struggles does this showcase?

(answers in comments)
-RQIB

Turkish Toilets

2007-04-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest shocks for Americans in the Middle East is the toilets. Turkish toilets resemble a hole in the ground more than they resemble American style toilets.

It's used how it looks like it's used. What's missing? Why is it missing? (answers in comments)

Of course, Arabs can be just as suprised when seeing western toilets for the first time. Hence the picture below.

Consider yourself warned.

-RQIB

Arabic as a weapon

2007-04-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

A pretty scathing article about the Arabic proficiency working for the government appeared in the Middle East Times a week ago.

http://www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20070404-045436-9722r

I personally take exception to the statements made in the article, but the commentator does make a few points. I do agree with him that the language is a weapon. Being fluent and the language and competent in the culture only give you the opportunity to start accomplishing the mission. Military linguists manage to do what is asked of them, sometimes despite pitiful language ability. Can you "at most able to order a meal, or ask directions on a Cairo street corner"? How much does that affect your ability to accomplish your mission?

-RQIB

Opening Post

2007-04-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

DLPT5, OIF, Iraqi Dialect (and others), FLPP, Culture, Grammar. These are things that concern both military linguists studying Arabic for the first time as well as those who have been doing it for a while.

I've started this as an educational blog with the goal of assisting fellow Arabic linguists. I intend to post things to help other military linguists learn Arabic and about Arab and Islamic culture. Content will include:

News affecting and relating to Arabic linguists.
Reviews and links to authentic Arabic audio and video resources on the internet.
Reviews of books/dictionaries.
Culture
Military terminology
Grammar given from a westerner's perspective (by Podcast, ان شاء الله)
Humor
etc.

Constructive criticism and suggestions are always welcome.
-RQIB