I’ve lived in Abu Dhabi for almost two years, but I’m ashamed to say I can barely speak a word of Arabic. None of my friends are local so I don’t pick up any of the language in day to day situations, and when I see Arabic script I just find it really confusing. I feel like I should be able to at least grasp the basics, but where should I start?
It’s impressive that you’re so keen to get on board with the lingo as most expats don’t get beyond ‘Insha’Allah’ or ‘yalla’. English speakers are spoilt, since the language is so widely spoken here – not just by Emiratis but also other expats from all over the world – and being in this position makes it harder to get motivated to learn.
First of all you should know, if you come from a European language background, learning Arabic won’t be easy. You’ll need to contend with a different alphabet, the unfamiliarity of reading right to left and a host of different sounds to master.
If you take classes, you’ll almost certainly be learning Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is the literary standard across the Middle East and North Africa. This is the language used for newspapers, television and formal documents across the Arab world. However, bear in mind that for conversation Arabic-speakers use different regional dialects. Arabic spoken in Morocco is as different from Arabic spoken in Egypt and from Modern Standard as French is from Spanish. When Arabs from different regions talk to each other, they often improvise using Egyptian Arabic – many people are familiar with this dialect because of Egypt’s movie industry – mixed with Modern Standard and a bit of their own dialects. If you order a coffee, for example, in Modern Standard Arabic you’ll sound bizarrely formal. But you will be understood, and the more you converse the more you’ll pick up natural phrases.
So where to begin? If you’re on a budget, you can start by using one of the numerous web resources available, such as www.learnarabiconline.com. A great way to practise your pronunciation is by joining the group Arabic Language Lovers UAE which arranges meet-ups for Arabic speakers to converse over shisha, meals out and other events. This is also great way to bridge the gap between the native Arab and expats, and you can sign up for events at www.meetup.com. However, formal language courses will give you the most solid grounding in the language. We’ve heard good things about the Mother Tongue Arabic Language Centre (02 639 3838, www.mothertongue.ae) in Khalidiyah, which offers a range of reasonably priced courses at all levels. Also, don’t be shy to try a few phrases with your Arabic acquaintances. In our experience, they’re very supportive, and will be delighted that you’re going the extra mile to assimilate yourself in the culture. Bit-tawfiq!
