V-Arabic

Virtual Arabic: Digitized Language Realia Resources for Arabic Learners & Teachers

Archive for the 'Language REALIA' Category


Book Realia : Using Arabic: A Guide to Contemporary Usage | Limited Preview

Posted by Mourad Diouri on April 29, 2008

Using Arabic: A Guide to Contemporary Usage by Mahdi Alosh

Click on image to browse a Limited Preview online version

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Books/Magazines, Grammar, Language REALIA | No Comments »

Collection of Educational Videos to teach the Arabic Alphabet

Posted by Mourad Diouri on April 25, 2008

The following is a collection of 10 musical/non-musical educational videos intended to teach the Arabic alphabet.

Alphabet songs are songs used to teach children the alphabet, used in kindergartens, pre-schools and homes around the world.

Learning the alphabet from fun educational children videos is very efficient. Through fun songs, animal pictures and other attention-grabbing sounds and visuals, these entertaining and educational videos you will memorise the alphabet sounds and letters quickly.

They are very fun to watch and they suit any individual learning style.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Alphabet/Sounds, Basics, Reading Practice, Video/TV/Films | No Comments »

FedEx Corporation in the Arab World

Posted by Mourad Diouri on April 15, 2008

FedEx Corporation is a leading logistics services company, based in the United States. FedEx is a syllabic abbreviation of the company’s original name, Federal Express.

The following images taken in Dubai show the FedEx logo (FedEx Express) written in Arabic/English.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Alphabet/Sounds, General, LANGUAGE SKILLS, Logos, Reading Practice | 1 Comment »

Arabic Car Number Plates Realia w/ Indian and Arabic Numbers (from Saudi Arabia)

Posted by Mourad Diouri on March 26, 2008

5317-6336-7094.jpg

Key Vocabulary

  • Private : Khusousi خصوصي
  • Taxi (hire) : Ujra أجرة
  • Bus :Hafila حافلة
  • Ciy : Madinah م ) مدينة)
  • Transport : Naql نقل (although it is referred to in the plates as “truck”)

Source of Realiawww.kuwaitup.net

Posted in Numbers, Other, Travelling & Tourism | No Comments »

Collection of Educational Videos to teach Arabic Numbers (1-100)

Posted by Mourad Diouri on March 19, 2008

Video 1: Musical Video of Numbers - نشيد الارقام

The numbers shown on the video are of Indian origin.

Do you understand the lyrics of the song?

Share your thoughts about this video in the comments section.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Basics, Numbers, Video/TV/Films | No Comments »

Animated e-Greeting Cards Realia : Best Wishes for a speedy recovery - بالشفاء العاجل

Posted by Mourad Diouri on March 6, 2008

The following is a collection of “Get well soon” e-cards from the Arabic Online community site Maktoob.com

The Arabic words and expressions written in these cards are all you need to know if you would like to wish someone a speedy recovery.

They really mean a lot to those who are feeling down or ill.

Best wishes - Wishing you a speedy recovery

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Greeting Cards, Greetings, Health | No Comments »

Music Video Realia : Arabic Alphabet - “A is for Allah” by Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 29, 2008

A is for Allah is the name of a Muslim-themed double album for children by Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) released on July 11, 2000 through Resurgence UK Records.The musician used the song as a vehicle to teach his daughter, Hasanah, the 28-letter Arabic alphabet. This kind of Islamic music is also known as nasheed.The album had been in the works since 1994, although the title track dates back to 1980, when it was written after the birth of his first child. (Wikiped
   

Song Lyrics:

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Alphabet/Sounds, Audio/Music/Radio, Basics, Education, Musical | No Comments »

Greeting Expressions in Colloquial Egyptian Arabic

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 16, 2008

The Arabic Program at Brigham Young University is developing various internet based learning resources to supplement Arabic Language Learning.
In conjunction with Prof. Muhammad Eissa and the NMERLC, BYU is developing an Egyptian Spoken Arabic program to expose students to real spoken Arabic situations through internet video.

The segments, filmed in Alexandria, expose students to progressively more complicated social situations.

This short video clip presents different types of greetings in colloquial Egyptian Arabic.

greetings-video-_national-middle-east-language.jpg

Watch the video

Source of realia:

National Middle East Language Resource Center

Find out more

Egyptian Arabic - Wikipedia

Colloquial Egyptian expressions

For more information on this project/resource, please contact us at nmelrc-research@byu.edu

Posted in Communication, Greetings, Language REALIA, Video/TV/Films | No Comments »

Historical Virtual Realia: Old Arabic Antique Items

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 11, 2008

The following is a collection from Rosenblumcoins.com.

Since 1971 Rosenblumcoins has specialized in all aspects of Israel, Palestine and Jewish numismatic material and ancient, medieval and modern coins, paper money, tokens and medals of the world.

1936. LOTTERY TICKET. Issued by the Muslim Community.

Decorated title in Arabic around all four sides, nice vignette of sphinx at center.

In Arabic & French. Sold for $50


LOTTERY TICKET. 1936. Issued by the Chaldeene Catholique du Caire Society.

Depicts a Nile scene, boats and Fortuna at left.

In Arabic, French & Greek! sold for $50

CHRISTIAN ARABIC IMITATIVE Half Dirham. 1251 AD. AR Half Dirham (1.46).Around a cross, the legend (in Arabic), “The Father and the Son”/”And the Holy Spirit”.

Can you recognise ( الاب والابن و الروح القدس ) in the coin?

Sold for $450

Currency Note - 1 Pound. 1950. Saad signature.

Farouk portrait at right. Arabic serial numbers only. sold for $40+

Find out more

Rosenblumcoins

Posted in Numbers, Other, Stamps & Currency | No Comments »

Arabic/Islamic Greetings - Eid Mubarak عيد مبارك

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 9, 2008

Eid mubarak ( عيد مبارك) is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr.

The phrase translates into English as “blessed festival“, and can be paraphrased as “may you enjoy a blessed festival”.

Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak after performing the Eid prayer.

This celebration continues till the end of the day. It is notable that saying these exact words is a cultural tradition influenced by deep roots of religion in it; however, it is not part of any religious obligations.

Eid refers to the occasion itself, and Mubarak is roughly ‘may it become good for you’, but the phrase is used in the same context that “Merry Christmas” would be.

Throughout the Muslim world there are numerous other ways of greeting for Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr.

.

.

.

 

.______________________________________________________________

.__

“This (butcher) is trying to kill me!”

Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īd ul-’Aḍḥā) is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims and Druze worldwide as a commemoration of Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son, as commanded by Allah. (Muslim tradition names Ishmael as the son who was to be sacrificed, whereas the Judeo-Christian tradition names Isaac.)

It is one of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Quran.[1] (Muslims in Iran celebrate a third, non-denominational Eid.)

Like Eid el-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha begins with a shortprayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba).

.______________________________________________________________

Eid ul-Fitr ( عيد الفطر ), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fiṭr means “to break the fast” (and can also mean “nature”, from the word “fitrah”) and so symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period.

Eid ul-Fitr starts the day after Ramadan ends, and is verified by the sighting of the new moon. Muslims give money to the poor and wear their best clothes.

Eid ul-Fitr lasts three days and is called “The Lesser Eid” ( العيد الصغير al-‘īdu ṣ-ṣaghīr) compared with the Eid ul-Adha that lasts four days and is called “The Greater Eid” ( العيد الكبير al-‘īdu l-kabīr).

________________________________________________________________________________

Calligraphic signs of Eid Greetings

Best greetings and wishes for the blessed (happy) Eid

More greetings signs

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Calligraphy, Culture & Society, Greetings, Islam, Signboards | No Comments »

Arabic-speaking parrots!

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 9, 2008

This is an interesting video containing footage of Lulu - an Arab-speaking parrot with a native-like accent!

It was trained by a Arab person from Abu-Dhabi, in UAE over a period of four years.

His trainer taught the parrot to greet visitors to his home with “Assalamu Alaikum السلام عليكم ” and to bid them farewell with “Massalamah السلامة”

Lulu knows some Ayahs (verses) from the Qur’an namely “Surah Ikhlas” and how to make dua (i.e. prayer) for Muslim men and women - specifically asking for them to have forgiveness from God.

He also knows how to say “In the name of Allah, the most gracious the most beneficial بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم ” and “God is Great الله أكبر “

What other words/expressions can you recognise?

How does he greet and bid farewell to his trainer’s guests?

What is the Arabic for “guests”?

When does LuLu usually offer his prayers?

How did LuLu pray for the deceased?

This second video clip shows another parrot who speaks Arabic with an asian accent. His owner, who is from Pakistan, trained the parrot to recite the Qur’an, especially Sura Al-Fatiha ( الفاتحة ) and Al-Ikhlas ( الإخلاص )

What other words/expressions can you recognise?


Posted in Greetings, Islam, Language REALIA, News, Spoken Dialects, Video/TV/Films | 1 Comment »

Film Documentary Realia: “I Speak Arabic” (The Immigrant Experience in US Schools Through the Eyes of Arabic Speakers)

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 8, 2008

The first of its kind, the documentary film on Arabic heritage speakers “I Speak Arabic” is a timely contribution to the field of heritage language teaching and learning.

The film was created by Diana Scalera, who teaches Spanish to heritage students in New York City.

It features a diverse group of East Coast Arabic heritage language speakers, parents, instructors and two experts in the field of heritage language teaching and learning.

This film’s balanced combination of interviews with members of the community and teachers of Arabic heritage speakers on the one hand, and specialists in the field of heritage language on the other, makes it a valuable resource for both groups.

While the film is rich with personal stories, it also presents a coherent and accessible theoretical basis for understanding how heritage speakers learn.

Read more

Short clip from the movie

Watch the movie

Find out more

I speak Arabic

To purchase the film

Posted in Documentary, Language REALIA, Spoken Dialects, Video/TV/Films | No Comments »

Virtual Video Realia: Short introduction about the Arabic language

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 8, 2008

Posted in Language REALIA, Video/TV/Films | No Comments »

Arabic Podcasts - Masculine & Feminine Plural

Posted by Mourad Diouri on February 4, 2008

Masculine Plural

In Arabic there are certain rules to follow when forming masculine plural.

Fortunately, you have ArabicPod to help explain these rules and make it simpler.

It’s not as easy as changing mu3alim (teacher) to mu3alims, but it’s not difficult either.

If you’re at an intermediate level then join the discussion.

Listen to the podcast - Masculine Plural (Arabic Pod)

Feminine Plural

In this intermediate lesson we teach you how to form feminine plural.

There is a lot of grammar in this lesson and we teach you the rules to follow when changing singular feminine to plural feminine, so tune in and learn how to make Sayara (car) plural.

Listen to the podcast - Feminine Plural (Arabic Pod)

Find out more

Arabic Pod

Posted in Audio/Music/Radio, Grammar, Language REALIA | No Comments »

Postage Stamp - USA Stamp with Eid Greetings

Posted by Mourad Diouri on January 26, 2008

The U.S. Postal Service is expanding its Holiday Celebrations Series with a new stamp highlighting the Muslim holiday of Eid.

The Eid stamp, designed by Zakariya of Arlington, Va., features the Arabic phrase “Eid mubarak” in gold calligraphy on a blue background. English text on the stamps reads “EID GREETINGS.”

The colors chosen for the stamp Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, prayer and reflection. Ramadan remembers the month in A.D. 610 when Muslims believe that the prophet Muhammad received the revelations from God that would form Islam’s holy book, the Quran.

“This is a proud moment for the Postal Service, the Muslim community, and Americans in general as we issue a postage stamp to honor and commemorate two important Islamic celebrations,” said A.S. Jaffer, Public Affairs and Communications for the Postal Service, who will dedicate the stamp.

“The Eid stamp will help us highlight the business, educational and social contributions of the estimated six to seven million Muslims in this country whose cultural heritage has become an integral part of the fabric of this great nation.”

Posted in Calligraphy, Greetings, Stamps & Currency | 2 Comments »

Survivial Arabic Phrases : Short Audio Podcasts

Posted by Mourad Diouri on January 24, 2008

 

 

Lesson #1 - Thank You!

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to Morocco.

Today’s Survival Phrase is شكرا, the most common way to say thank you in Arabic. To learn more about Moroccan culture and phrases be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com before you set out on your trip!

Duration: 6:55

Download the PDF Guide

Lesson #2 - You’re Welcome!

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you!
Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to the Middle East or North Africa.

Download the PDF GuideLesson #3 - Please (This Please)Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you!

Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to the Middle East or North Africa.

Download the PDF Guide

Lesson #4 - Basic Greetings

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to the North Africa.

Hello and السلام عليكم (Peace be Upon You). Today will be learning basic greetings in Arabic. For more information on Arabic language and culture, be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com before you set out on your trip!

Lesson #5 - Parting greetings (Goodbye)

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to the Middle East or North Africa.

Previously we covered basic greetings in Arabic, and today we’ll learn how to say goodbye. Be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com before you set out on your trip, and be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com and leave us a post!

Lesson #6 - Where is the Bathroom?

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to the Morocco.

Today we will be learning how to ask “Where is the bathroom?” in Arabic! Be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com before you set out on your trip to Morocco, and be sure to leave us a post!

Lesson #7 - I Don’t Understand.

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to Morocco.

Today we learn how to say “I don’t understand.”, a phrase that will certainly prove useful if you are a tourist in an Arabic speaking country. Be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com before you set out on your trip to the Arab world, and be sure to leave us a post!

Lesson #8 - Can You Speak English?

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to the Middle East or North Africa.

Today we learn how to ask “Can you speak English?”, a question that will certainly prove useful traveling through North Africa or the Middle East. Be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com before you set out on your trip, and be sure to leave us a post!

Lesson #9 - Can You Say It Again?

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to Morocco.

Today we provide you with a linguistic tool to help take your Arabic language skills to the next level. Today we will be learning how to ask the speaking party to “say it again”. Be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com and leave us a post!

Lesson #10 - Apologies(I’m Sorry)

Learn Arabic travel phrases with SurvivalPhrases.com! A little Arabic can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, survivalphrases.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! Today we cover a high frequency Arabic phrase sure to be of use on your trip, travels or vacation to the Middle East or North Africa.

As you are traveling and speaking a foreign language, you may need to ask forgiveness or apologise for something. For this reason and many more, today we’re learning apologizing in Arabic. Be sure to stop by SurvivalPhrases.com and leave us a post!

Find out more:

Survivalphrases.com/arabic

Posted in Audio/Music/Radio, Language REALIA | No Comments »

Greetings Message/Calligraphy - Welcome أهلا و سهلا و مرحبا

Posted by Mourad Diouri on January 17, 2008

Some people who struggle with the letter ح prefer to say it like this:

Posted in Calligraphy, Greetings | No Comments »

Greetings Message/Calligraphy

Posted by Mourad Diouri on January 13, 2008

v-TIVITY

  • Can you read this greetings message?
  • How would you translate it?

____________________________________________

ANSWERS

  • Share and discuss your answers by leaving a comment in the comments section below
  • To view/download the model answers, go to the download page

Source of image : sunna.info

View a larger image

 
.

Posted in Calligraphy, Communication, Greetings | 4 Comments »

Book Cover - Primary Arabic Alphabet

Posted by Mourad Diouri on January 13, 2008

book.jpg

Posted in Alphabet/Sounds, Basics, Books/Magazines, Education | No Comments »