Important matter

[shashi_kapoor]

Hello Friends,

For those of you (Algerian or Moroccan) who were born outside Dzayer or Marok (Europe and states), but can understand and speak Arabic (Derja).

How did you manage to learn the language?

How hard was it? And how easy/hard it is at the moment?

Many thanks for your inputs

Shashi

[Little_Mem]

I can speak (badly) MS Arabic and Egyptian (very badly).
These were learned entirely from books and from a few Egyptian friends.
None of my surviving family (that I know of) really use any of the Algerian dialect anymore. So I'm learning almost from scratch
I am keen to learn Algerian Arabic and have ordered some books, although I understand I will have to speak to Algerian speakers to really get to know the language
This store is good for books, I order mine from here. They have books for learning Tamazight too

http://www.grantandcutler.com/static/mail_order.htm

(No, I don't earn commision from this store LOL!! , I think they are useful)

I am having some difficulties, but I learn languages quite quickly. The Arabic script is not as difficult as it appears, just writing right to left has been more difficult
I initially had problems speaking Arabic, especially the 3ayn sound, I sounded like I was being strangled
It's also difficult finding time to sit down and study, but Inchallah, I'll get there, eventually.

Edited because my English spelling is awful too

[Edited by Little_Mem on 4th February 2005 at 04:47]

[TonyStarks]

I was born outside of Algeria (UAE to be specific). Both my parents were born and raised in Algeria, so all they spoke is Darja with us. To me, i had no problem speaking it growing up. In UAE, i never learnt to speak the other types "Arabic." I only learnt English and spoke to all Arabs (except Algerians) in English. Even now, i cant speak the other types of Arabic. I only speak Darja!

Of course, since i dont speak it as much (only at home or with other Algerians), its not as good as a real Algerian would speak it. However, when im in Algeria noone can tell that im an immigrant (one of the few that can keep it undercover). To really learnt it, you have to practise it a lot and the older you are, the harder it is to learn it! Good luck though.

[shashi_kapoor]

Saha Mem,

did you learn arbiya since you were little?

Si tony,

I guess u were lucky being born in an arab country

how about those of you wo were born in a non arabic speaking country, let me hear from you

cheers
Shashi

[TonyStarks]

Originally posted by shashi_kapoor

Si tony,

I guess u were lucky being born in an arab country

how about those of you wo were born in a non arabic speaking country, let me hear from you

cheers
Shashi

Like i said, i spoke absolutely no 'arabic' in the country. I only spoke Darja to other Algerians. With everyone else i spoke English!

[Little_Mem]

Originally posted by shashi_kapoor
Saha Mem,

did you learn arbiya since you were little?

When I was little I knew a few basic words (very basic )
I've studied Arabic (myself) on and off since I was a kid, but kept leaving it a while and having to learn it all over again

I've kept up the language study for about 6 months now, so I'm getting back on track, but each time I leave it, I have to learn from scratch all over again (memory like a goldfish)

[shashi_kapoor]

Saha Tony,

What really interest me more is our derja, you should consider yourself to be lucky being able to speak fluent derja.

Little Mem,

Is one of your parent algerian?

What I'm looking for is the best way to teach my kids (Inchallah) Derja, it's what's important to me.