"ENTA TAREEFA ARABIC?"

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 286, 3 December 1938, Page 11 (Supplement)

"ENTA TAREEFA ARABIC?"

! Do You Speak Arabic ?

WHEN the New Zealand Division was stationed in Egypt there was a keen desire on the part of many "Diggers" to pick up a smattering of the Arabic language. To satisfy this desire an enterprising Gvppo published a small book under the heading, "Pocket Book of English-Arabic Self-Study for the British Soldiers in Egypt." "Contains useful phrases and all what is necessary in intercourse with the public." With the passing of the years this book makes very interesting reading. In the first conversation after some preliminary skirmishing with "Goodday" and "Thank you," the soldier finds himself talking to a gentleman, who says liis name is "Mohammed." The "Digger" asks* "Do you speak English?" The reply is "Little, sir." "What do you want from me?" comes next. "I want to drink beer with you,"' says Mohammed. "I have no money. Go away," rejoins the Anzac. Mohammed then plunges the soldier head over heels into a love a-ffair. He begins haughtily: "Come here, girl." The lady replies politely: "Yes, sir." "What is your name?" "My name is Hanem." "You are pretty, and gentle, and sympathetic, too. I love you so much," says the soldier. "I love you too, sir," replies the maid. But the underlying cynicism of the author rudely breaks the course of dalliance. He gives us a lovers' quarrel in three hurried vindictive sentences. "You are a liar!" "You are cunningi" "You love me for my money!" Here the soldier's passion overcomes- his anger. "Your cheek is rosy," he cries; sheer Oriental hyperbole; cheeks are never rosy in Egypt—and he pleads for a. kiss, being rude enough to offer half a millieme (about half a farthing) for that which should be priceless. For the booking of a room the following dialogue is supplied:— "Good day, madame. Have you a furnished room to let?" "Yes, sir." "How much do you charge for the room ?" "Two pounds a month." "Will you give me a key, please?" "At what time the door shut?" "At ten o'clock, sir." "All right." The dialogue with a beggar runs as follows:—"Sir, I am blind." "Half piastre, please?" "I am very poor, I beg you; I am very hungry; I am very thirsty!" All this time the beggar is running on. unanswered, which is just what would happen. The soldier now replies. You must imagine short intervals between "ach sentence. "I have no money"'; "(to on"; "Get away"; "Get a h " (rooh fi dahia). That settles the beggar. MARK R.