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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Corsair on June 16, 2004, 11:45:25 pm

Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Corsair on June 16, 2004, 11:45:25 pm
Ahlan habibis. Ana adroos arabi.
Yeah, I'm spending the summer at a university learning Arabic. Coincidentally, there was this article in The New York Times yesterday.
Quote
Less than a year after the Soviet Union launched a satellite named Sputnik in October 1957, America answered with a counterstrike. It was a piece of legislation, the National Defense Education Act, which aimed at harnessing brain power rather than weaponry for the cold war.
...
Now, nearly three years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda and amid a turbulent occupation of Iraq, Congress and the Bush administration have failed to endorse and endow a similar cohort of civilian experts in the languages of the Muslim world.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/16/education/16education.html
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Knight Templar on June 17, 2004, 12:14:14 am
I miss the Cold War. :(
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Sandwich on June 17, 2004, 12:14:23 am
I know a few select phrases in Arabic, such as "Give me your ID", "Open the door", and "Stop or I'll shoot".

:nervous:
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Knight Templar on June 17, 2004, 12:16:11 am
Why does that not suprise me? :p
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Bobboau on June 17, 2004, 12:36:40 am
Quote
Originally posted by Sandwich
I know a few select phrases in Arabic, such as "Give me your ID", "Open the door", and "Stop or I'll shoot".

:nervous:


and "I don't realy know arabic, I simply know the phrases "Give me your ID", "Open the door", and "Stop or I'll shoot" and this explanation that I don't realy know arabic, and despit the aparent aptitude that I may apear to be speaking it in, I truely hear nothing but giberish when it is spoken, and only hours upon hours of repeditive practice has alowed my to remember these few phrases"
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: WMCoolmon on June 17, 2004, 12:38:09 am
lol.

(Car drives towards Sandwich's position)
"Stop or I'll shoot!"
(Driver stops car)
"Open the door!"
(Driver opens door, Sandy checks for hidden weapons)
"Give me your ID"
(Driver hands Sandy the ID, Sandy hands it back)
...
(Awkward pause)
...
(English) "Move along, move along..."
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Rictor on June 17, 2004, 01:09:17 am
How about "My, thats a lovely shirt you're wearing Mr.Rashid, how about me meet up later for a falafel over at Ali's."

...no?
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Nico on June 17, 2004, 01:44:21 am
Quote
Originally posted by Knight Templar
I miss the Cold War. :(


How can you miss something you've most likely barely known? :doubt:
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Flipside on June 17, 2004, 02:54:54 am
Quote
Originally posted by WMCoolmon
lol.

(Car drives towards Sandwich's position)
"Stop or I'll shoot!"
(Driver stops car)
"Open the door!"
(Driver opens door, Sandy checks for hidden weapons)
"Give me your ID"
(Driver hands Sandy the ID, Sandy hands it back)
...
(Awkward pause)
...
(English) "Move along, move along..."



...These are not the WMD's you're looking for? :nervous:
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: kasperl on June 17, 2004, 08:20:36 am
Really, once I get some time free (when I graduate most likely) I'll see about a course in either Arabaic, Russian or some Chinese language.

I doubt I'll pass, I really, really suck at French and German, and can only speak English through years of daily usage.
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Tiara on June 17, 2004, 09:16:34 am
Am currently taking a course in the Chinese language. It's WAY harder then it seems :p
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Rictor on June 17, 2004, 11:11:42 am
anyone tried those Primsleur (sp?) teach-yourself things? I downloaded one for Arabic (first one I saw) off SN, and tried it for about 20 minutes. Do they at all work??
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Corsair on June 17, 2004, 11:14:13 am
Seems that most Americans (at least in my class) can't speak the language for beans...especially if they're from the South.

Of course, if you're from the South, you probably don't speak English too well either. :D

Rictor: I'll meet you for a falafel if you want. Mmmm...falafel...
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Knight Templar on June 17, 2004, 03:03:08 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Nico


How can you miss something you've most likely barely known? :doubt:


Don't blame me for your lack of libido with the ladies, mr. Robot.
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Sandwich on June 21, 2004, 04:51:36 pm
Quote
Originally posted by WMCoolmon
(Awkward pause)
...
(English) "Move along, move along..."


More like:

(Sandy motions with head and gun to proceed through the checkpoint). ;)

Quote
Originally posted by Rictor
How about "My, thats a lovely shirt you're wearing Mr.Rashid, how about me meet up later for a falafel over at Ali's."

...no?


Falafel? Yuk! Don't you tourists know that falafel will make you feel awful??!? :p

I'd take a schawarma over a falafel any day. Meat vs. chick peas? No competition! :D
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Corsair on June 21, 2004, 05:25:17 pm
I like falafel.
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Sandwich on June 22, 2004, 12:38:43 am
Quote
Originally posted by Sandwich
...make you feel awful...


:D
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Tiara on June 22, 2004, 03:54:59 am
I don't think they get it, Sandie :D
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Sandwich on June 22, 2004, 11:54:52 am
I think you're right. How obvious should I make it?
Title: Arabic: The new Russian?
Post by: Corsair on June 22, 2004, 02:32:25 pm
I did get it. I still stand by what I said. I like falafel.

Bad puns, however... ;)
*runs*