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Published: June 24th 2011
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Henna
My host mother's sister painted henna on my host sister's hand, after having painted the hands of another family friend. An important element of studying the Arabic language is choosing which version of Arabic to study. Each region in the Arab world has its own dialect, some more closely related than others, as well as a formal Arabic that is used as a universal Arab language. The formal Arabic most closely resembles the Qu’ran and is used in international media and in meetings of Arabs from different countries. Arab Moroccans understand at least two versions of Arabic: the daraja, or lingua franca version of Arabic spoken in homes and everyday business in Morocco, and which contains many French words and possibly others from Berber and Spanish, etc., as well as the formal Arabic spoken at mosque and on the news and taught in schools. My host family (and many other Moroccans) comprehends but doesn’t necessarily speak Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, etc. dialects because of films, music, and television.
I study the formal Arabic, and I have good reason to do so because of its universal character. It is the base for all the dialects; thus learning the formal facilitates learning dialects. However, studying formal Arabic and attempting to joke in homestay family life is rather awkward (but I’m gaining ground). I
Henna take 2
Shema used the leftover henna paste on herself, and my leg. sound like a very formal, important person, and my family essentially switches languages and searches for words that differ between the formal and the daraja. The Arabic I am learning is not spoken familiarly, anywhere except where necessary –between Arabs of different nations, in mosque from the Qu’ran, and in schools.
I am very discouraged because this reminds me my language handicap in Benin, where I spoke French and not Mina or Kotafon. As in Morocco, where daraja is spoken all around me, then translated to formal Arabic for my benefit, so too in Benin the local languages were used familiarly and translated to French in my presence. This buffer space between the common language and the one I use provokes my debate. Although I have good reason to use formal Arabic (to be understood anywhere in the Arab world) and French (to be understood anywhere in the francophone world), it seems to enlighten, perhaps, a character trait. If my true intentions were to talk to people, then I would learn the languages they speak rather than the languages they study. I can’t help but wonder if this buffer zone is self-protection, a means of preventing me from believing
Drying Time
This is Shema's finished creation. She included my name and L.P.T (Love pour toujours -for ever) with the design. I slept with this wrapped in cotton and cloth, then washed it off in the morning shower. myself capable of full assimilation into those societies –I am, after all, American, and in many ways enjoy the cover of ‘foreigner’ to be politely excused for odd behavior. Or, I wonder if my language choices reflect an element of superiority. By relying on French and formal Arabic, I appear to be rendering the colloquial languages as less (I even used the word ‘colloquial’). And if I am choosing ‘superior’ languages, I’m sure it’s because I find myself superior, too.
If true, then I don’t like to think poorly of myself in the end. I will continue to defend my language choices with the very professional and reasonable argument of practicality. Learning the formal Arabic is useful, and I can resign myself to studying it with the ultimate goal of knowing it will serve me well later to study dialects. In the meantime, despite miscommunication, I am enjoying this opportunity to live in Morocco and get a taste of the Arab world. Besides, spoken words are only a part of communication; I can still use body language. Maybe smiles and handshakes effectively cover denied sentiments of superiority.
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Great Greta
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I love the henna! It's always so pretty, with the rich red colors. I'm glad you are having a good time! Happy Birthday soon!