Comments on: Bil 3arabi

By: youss-sami

youss-sami — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:36:44 +0000

salut

By: salah

salah — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:46:03 +0000

salu

By: Emperor

Emperor — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:05:45 +0000

Tololy, this is a great entry. I am an Egyptian and I’ve lived most of my life abroad, mostly around Europe. I’ve been in Egypt for almost three years now and have noticed the heavy use of Arabish among my friends and family through text messages and online chatting. I use this ‘language’ myself. Currently, I am actually writing a paper on this new form of communication and when I came across your blog I was very surprised. I didn’t realize that people were so interested in this phenamenon. I think that it also might have something to do with the way most newspapers and media use the ‘fes7a Arabic’ you were talking about. Obviously each country has its own accents and dialects and the common language spoken among the people is rarely used by the media. This may be a reason that makes it more acceptable to mix English with our everyday Arabic. I will do my best to do more research into this topic and will continue to read your insightful blog. Thanks.

By: Laith

Laith — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 23:38:00 +0000

Tololy, interesting post. The language issue has been one that has been running in circles in my head for a while.
Nas: It is interesting that you actually move away from the karaki accent when you are ” in the presense of western ammanites .” I find no reason for me to change my accent although its quite a heavy one. Many people for some wierd reasons will think less of you because of the accent you speak with. I have been told more than once that i should “not be a show off” and speak with a normal accent !!!
So to add to tololy’s question about the written language, do you think that the accent affects the way people see you?

By: moi

moi — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 01:16:00 +0000

Interesting post I think this is becoming a more serious issue in the Arab world. As someone who visits Jordan every summer, I notice that this trend to integrate English words into Arabic increases more and more with every passing year. I didn’t think it would be that hard to read your post, but I actually had to make an effort to concentrate. I do use this “Arabish” version in emails and chat when I just can’t express a word in English, but to use it in the consistent way that you showed, I think that’s hard and like someone mentioned, unprofessional, especially for a blog.
Even more worrisome (and unprofessional) is the prevalent use of this language on Arabic satellite television (LBC news, *horror*). I think even if it’s not a news program, there should be some respect for the Arabic and English language by separating them and using each one in its own context. But then again, if the average person on the Arab street is speaking like this (which I don’t think is the case *yet*), then should TV personalities and shows behave in the same way to accomodate this trend or should they have higher standards? (I think I got a little off the subject of the post, sorry).

By: Tololy

Tololy — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 04:07:00 +0000

Welcome to my box, Oleander. I am most glad you enjoyed it, and flattered that you find it nice.

I especially liked your saying ” it’s just not suited for the written word, or maybe we’re not used to it yet”, with regards to colloquial language being used in a blog. I think that is worth a pause.

Feel free to drop by when you please and express your opinions.

By: Oleander

Oleander — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 03:44:00 +0000

Tololy to answer the question you ask in your post, i do think blogging in the colloquial dialect would affect the “seriousness” of the blog, as you put it. it’s just not suited for the written word, or maybe we’re not used to it yet. it sure is accepted in our emails and chats, but publishing it on blogs full-time is a different story, I think it lacks the expressive power and impact of both fes7a Arabic and English.
besides, colloquial is not uniform like many have already commented, one person would use different dialects in different settings and around different people. but then again maybe that’s not the case for you
nice blog btw

By: Insomnia

Insomnia — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 02:25:00 +0000

Ok I understand.

I was just wondering, I though I knew you

Sorry for the inconvenience

By: Tololy

Tololy — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 02:23:00 +0000

Welcome to Tololy’s Box, Insomnia. I enjoyed your comment.

Your other remark was not, and will not, be published. Kindly refer to my Commenting Policy, present in the sidebar, to learn why.

By: Insomnia

Insomnia — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 02:10:00 +0000

Well, I often speak the same accent everywhere but soemtimes I use the “G” in some words like: gabba3at, 6age3, etc. Give me a break those don’t work with th e “A”

I also like to switch to Egyptain when my mother’s Egyptain friend comes to visit

“Ezzayyek ya ommo Ameera wa7ashteena… da kalam bardoh?”