Things to focus on when reading spoken Arabic:
- Seeing spoken written allows the student to conceptualize regional differences and think about how you can communicate than concept based on your Fusha/MSA base
- Hearing the audio allows the student to recognize differences in accent
- Reading the transcripts out loud to yourself after hearing the audio allows the student to internalize differences
Click the title to hear the Audio from the LangMedia transcripts.
(20) ( ديال ) is a new term for someone like me with no exposure to Moroccan. How does the newcomer approach new terms like this? You can try and figure it out on your own, which I was starting to do. You can get a tutor once you go to Morocco and learn the rule in about 3 minutes. Or, even better, you can get assists from readers like Chris T. on Twitter. Very clear- this has entered my mental database on Moroccan Arabic.
(21) Same term as used in Algeria as well but this is the same structure of Arabic nearly everywhere – it’s just a matter of plugging in a new term for use in Morocco. And also true that as a foreigner, if you use ( بكم ) you will be clearly understood.
(22) ( واش ) I don’t know what this would correspond to elsewhere, but situationally, the meaning should be guessed. After 3 minutes of memorization, no newcomer to Morocco should be tripped up by this word.
(23) Change = ( صرف ) in Morocco. Yet if you use other colloquial Arabic terms for Change you’ll be understood.
(24) Yes as ( اييه ) – which is also the case in many other countries such as Egypt. This is a good example of the benefit of listening to Audio. The pronunciation is much different even the word is the same.
Talking About Past Experiences
(25) Slight technical difference – I would be used to saying ( مرة واحدة ) but it’s the same words. You’ll be understood whatever you say.
(26) To go to Turkey as (مشينا لتركيا ) – again, sightly different Verb. You are a foreign Arabic speaker could use any number of Verbs.
(27) Note the different pronunciation of ( المتاحف ). A good example of how listening to the audio before you arrive can be so helpful.
(28) ( بزاف ) as (كتير/ كثير ) – slight regional variation.
(29) ( اشطحنا ) as Danced. Hadn’t seen this term before. Also not a high-frequency word.
(30) Different pronunciations than elsewhere but same basic structure
(31) Same point as 31. There is nothing here that is ra
(32) Before I started reading transcripts from Moroccan I was unaware that you would use ( يخدم) for work or ( كيقرى ) for study, but after a few hours, I would now immediately recognize the meaning if I hear it in Morocco. Also true that if I use the more standard (درس/عمل ), I’ll always be understood.
Here are 4 previous similar posts on Algerian Arabic based on the LangMedia database
*For some students, I would say 10% of students based on what I’ve seen over the years, perfecting a given dialect is the most desirable option. For example, if you are learning Arabic because of family heritage, or you know for certain that you want to be an academic linguist etc etc.
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