Last updated 7 months ago.
“My happy place is when I’m mixing up Arabic and English to bring stories to life” | Sirine Demachkie | 9273 Roots #10
Her happy place is “mixing up Arabic and English (Arablish) to bring stories to life.” Lebanese-Australian author Sirine Demachkie discusses creating bilingual books to help kids connect with their heritage, her love for Khalil Gibran, and her favorite childhood expression.
For many families in the Arab diaspora, passing the heritage language to the next generation is both a deep desire and a significant challenge.
Author and journalist Sirine Demachkie has turned this challenge into her vocation. The Lebanese-Australian writer creates beautifully illustrated bilingual books that make learning colloquial Arabic a joyful experience for children. Her work exists in what she calls her “happy place” — the creative space where Arabic and English mix to bring modern stories to life for young readers.
Sirine Demachkie
سيرين دمشقية
The woman who writes books for bilingual kids (Arabic-English)
- Date of birth: 16th March 1982
- Place of birth: Beirut, Lebanon
- Place of residence: Sydney, Australia
- Personal website: https://sirinedemachkie.com.au
photo credit: Sirine Demachkie
How would you introduce yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
“Hi, I’m Sirine.” :)
What was your first Arabic grammar book?
I can’t recall, and I would also say, yet to be discovered :) Naughty me, didn’t continue my Arabic education when I was younger!
What is your favorite Arabic book (novel, etc.)?
The prophet by Khalil Jibran (English version ;)
Jibran Khalil Jibran (جبران خليل جبران) was a Lebanese-American writer and poet (1883-1931). The Prophet is his most famous work. It is a book of 26 prose poetry fables written in English. It is one of the most translated books in history.
What is the story? The prophet, al-Mustafa, has lived in the city of Orphalese and is about to board a ship to go home. He is stopped by a group of people, with whom he discusses topics such as life, love, freedom, pain, friendship, etc.
How much time does a native speaker of English need to master Arabic?
I would say about a year with consistent exposure to acquire the ability to communicate colloquially in an Arabic dialect. I think mastering Arabic is an ongoing quest.
What is your favorite Arabic word?
One favourite is, نُور (light). I think it sounds quite beautiful and love the breathiness of the ‘o’ as you say the word.
Which Arabic word do you like least?
None that come to mind.
Which Arabic dialect do you like best?
I am of Lebanese heritage and love my Lebanese dialect. However, the Egyptian dialect is awesome!
What is your favorite Arabic colloquial word or expression?
Na’eeman. A tricky one to translate. The closest would be congratulations. A cultural expression, like giving blessings to someone after they get a clean shave, a haircut, or take a shower.
What is your favorite Arabic quote or proverb?
Kan ya ma kan, fi qadeem el zaman (ِكانَ يا ما كانَ، فِي قَدِيمِ الزَّمان)
It means: Once upon a time, in the old past. This reminds me of my childhood. Every night I would anticipate bedtime story time where mum would tell me a traditional fairy tale in colloquial Arabic and always starts with, Kan ya ma kan…
photo credit: Sirine Demachie
What is the best thing that was ever said about the Arabic language?
For me, there are pieces in this article that capture the greatness of the Arabic language:
“Arabic is one of the world’s great languages. Spoken by more than 400 million people, it has been the vehicle of many significant contributions to the development of science and culture, from the earliest odes of the pre-Islamic poets through to the cutting-edge research of the philosophers and mathematicians of Islam’s golden age, to the novels of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz.” (source: British Council)
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Find your vocation.
Which three people would you like to invite for dinner?
Jesus, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), and Morgan Freeman.
What was the last great meal you had?
Mum’s mloukhiyeh with rice. Yum!
What is your favorite city?
Beirut (Lebanon) and my own little hometown in Padstow, Sydney.
Which book would you give to a dear friend?
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz-Zafon.
The Shadow of the Wind (Spanish: La sombra del viento) is a 2001 novel by Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón and a worldwide bestseller.
The story is about a boy’s quest through the secrets and shadows of postwar Barcelona for a mysterious author whose book has proved as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget.
What is your all-time favorite movie?
Ooh, this is a hard one! I have many all-time favourites! Okay, I’ll say, Casablanca.
What music do you listen to?
These days, anything that’s tuneful to my ears really, and in any language. I’ll also say that I am an 80s baby, so 90s R&B and Funk are still favourites.
The perfect first step for families who wish to communicate with their children in the everyday Lebanese-Arabic language spoken at home.
Includes QR code for read along in Arabic and English.
When were you happiest?
I’m generally always happy, except maybe when I’m hungry :)
What is your greatest fear?
Losing faith.
What is your life motto?
Patience my friend, patience!
Sirine Demachkie, thank you for your time.
CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS: Who should we interview soon?
Do you know an interesting person who has a special relationship with the Arabic language? Then tell us why we should interview this person!
Wanna cite this article?
Drißner, G. (2019, April 28). “My happy place is when I’m mixing up Arabic and English to bring stories to life” | Sirine Demachkie | 9273 Roots #10. Arabic for Nerds. https://arabic-for-nerds.com/interviews/9273-roots/interview-sirine-demarchkie/
Published: April 28, 2019
Please check the citation before use, especially if your style guide has local requirements.
Publication ISSN: 3055-1730
Join the discussion: Sign in with social media for instant commenting, or register with email (comments require approval):