OK you've booked those cheap flights to Egypt, you've purchased the clothes and the neighbor's coming around to feed the fish and water the plants for a week. You've ticked everything off on your to do list, and now your holiday awaits! Great – but there is one thing that people tend to ignore during their holiday prep – having a go at the local language. so many people travel around the world and try to get by just on on English, only thing is, for many countries (taking North Africa as an example) English isn't the first language. Sure you'll still find people speaking English but how would you feel if a traveler came over to you and started speaking French? (Assuming of course French isn't in your language repertoire).
Please and Thank You go a long way
No-one expects the traveler to be fluent in the native language of travel, but by using a few words and phrases you'll get much more out of your holiday plus a smile thrown in for free. Besides trying out a new language can be great fun. Don't think of as standing up in class at school and regurgitating nouns and vowels to the bemusement of the back row. By using just a few words such as please and thank you you'll put a smile on locals who'll be more then helpful in assisting you. Besides – it's also a great way to meet new people.
So if you don't want to be branded as just another 'tourist' in Egypt here's a crash course on phrases to get you by. But first it's always useful to know a little about the country you'll be visiting – there's more to any place then the hotel and pool …
Egypt
The official language of Egyptis Arabic. There are however, quite a few languages that are spoken in Egypt. Egyptian Arabic (Masri) is by far the most used in the country – including Cairo.
Don't worry about the language barrier too much though – as French, English and German are also widely spoken and used in Egypt. However, when in Rome …
Useful Words
Just before we delve in there are some words and phrases that are masculine or feminine – meaning you say them slightly differently if you're talking to either a male or a female (or even a group). Don't worry it's not as scary as it first seems. I won't give you all a lesson in Arabic text – instead I'll write out word definitions in English. Here goes:
Hello – ahlan
Goodbye – salÄÂÂÂ m
Please
men fàDlàk (to a male)
men fàDlek (to a female)
men fàDloku (to a group)
Thank you – šokràn
Yes – aywa
No – la (can it be any easier?)
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Ht (to a male)
Hti (to a female)
Htu (to a group)
Excuse me. (avoiding offence)
ba`de 'eznak (to a male)
ba`de 'eznek (to a female)
ba`de 'eznoku (to a group)
I can't speak Arabic well . – mabatkallemš `arabi kwayyes
Do you speak English?
betekkallem ingilizi? (male)
betekkallemi ingilizi? (female)
Help! – 'elHa'uni!
Where is the toilet? – fÄÂÂ "n 'el-HammÄÂÂÂ m?
Can I buy a ticket? (for either a bus or train) – momken Ašteri tàzkàrà?
Taxi – taksi
As you can see this is a very brief list indeed. But by learning this few words and phrases I'm pretty sure it'll make your holiday experience in Egypt even better. Before I sign off it may be worthwhile printing this list off and learning it in your own time (who knows maybe even when your up in the air). I could have quite easily provided a bigger list but to get you off in the right direction this primer is a great start.