Browse Tag
Alexandria
12 posts
Alexandria (الإسكندرية) is a historic Mediterranean port city in Egypt, founded by Alexander the Great.
“Playing dominos gets you quick with Arabic numbers” | Andrew Cunningham | 9273 Roots #39
Banking expert Andrew Cunningham shares how playing dominos with native Egyptians helped him master Arabic numbers. He discusses his love for the Egyptian dialect, the elegant "Sisters of Kana," and weaving the language into his global career.
Bride or Groom? Unlocking the Meaning of ʻArūs (عَرُوسٌ) in Arabic
The Arabic word عَرُوسٌ (arūs) is surprisingly ambiguous. This analysis unpacks the gender of عَرُوسٌ and reveals the correct way to form the plural of عُرْسٌ (urs), the word for a wedding.
Gift Ideas for Arabic Language Lovers: Find Unique Presents (2024)
Christmas and the holidays are just around the corner! Wondering what to get someone who is passionate about learning Arabic and likes Arab culture? Here are some gift ideas that will delight any Arabic enthusiast.
Maqsam: The Promising New Arabic Speech Recognition Tool For Dialects
Traditional Arabic speech recognition often struggles with dialects. Maqsam, a Jordan-based tech company, claims superior performance in transcribing Middle Eastern and North African Arabic. This article tests Maqsam's capabilities with real-world examples - for example Gaddaf's Zanga Zanga speech.
“Arabic is the ‘endurance sport’ of the world’s languages” | Dominic Herbert | 9273 Roots #32
For triathlete and Cambridge-educated financier Dominic Herbert, learning Arabic is the ultimate endurance sport. He discusses his 30-year journey, from falling for the script in Pakistan to full immersion in Cairo and Beirut, and how the language transformed his career.
MADAR Corpus: A Resource For Learning Arabic Dialects From 25 Cities
MADAR is a valuable resource for Arabic dialect learners, featuring parallel sentences across 25 Arab cities and MSA. This guide shows how to use its lexicon and corpus viewer to understand dialectal differences.
Egyptian Arabic Slang: Youth Language and New Words from Social Media
Social media significantly shapes Egyptian Arabic slang. This article explores modern youth language, including words like "saahal," "fasheikh," and "beyond," highlighting challenges for learners and insights into evolving Egyptian dialects.
Alephia 2053: The Dystopian Animated Film for Arabic Listening Practice
"Alephia 2053" is a Lebanese animated movie depicting a bleak, oppressive future for the Arab world. Available for free on YouTube, it's a politically significant film and an excellent Arabic listening exercise, featuring MSA dialogue and multi-language subtitles.
The History of the Minaret: From Prayer Call to Islamic Icon
The minaret is a key symbol of Islam, but early mosques likely lacked them. This article traces the history of the Islamic prayer call (Adhan) and the development of minarets, discussing their origins and meaning in Islamic architecture.
“If your friend was honey, don’t lick him all up” | Sami Morcos | 9273 Roots #23
He's the Syrian computer scientist who solved a common problem for Arabic speakers: converting numbers into words. Sami Morcos discusses creating his popular tool Tafqit.com, his work in the IT industry in Dubai, and his favorite historical novels and Egyptian expressions.
