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For use of Military Personnel only. Not to

SHORT GUIDE TO

SYRIA

be republished, in whole or in part, without


the consent of the

War Department.

FOND REN LIBRARY


Prepared by
SPECIAL SERVICE DIVISION, SERVICES OF SUPPLY

UNITED STATES ARMY

Southern Methodist
University

DALLAS, TEXAS

WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS


Washington, D. C.

SHORT GUIDE TO SYRIA

CONTENTS
Page

Introduction

Ancient Land

The

Holy

Land

"

Syrians

The Arabic Language

r4

Getting Along With the Syrians

15

Climate and Sanitary Conditions

......

29

Currency, Weights, and Measures

35

Some Important Do's and

37

Don'ts

Hints on Pronouncing Arabic


Useful

Words and Phrases

Glossary

41

45
5

YOUR UNIT
If
If

you give, give plenty; and


you strike, strike hard."
Syrian Proverb

has been ordered to Syria. Soon you will

be standing on the shores of a sea or on a desert which


has played a great part in world history.

You, an American
fighting

soldier, are

men, over the

tramped across

this

now one

two thousand

past

of the countless
years,

who

have

neck of land connecting Europe and

Asia. Alexander the Great, Caesar,

Napoleon

all

have

struggled on this land for world dominion.

Here two

great religions

Christianity

and Judaism

sprang up. Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Roman, Turkish and European civilizations have left a mark on Syria's
sparsely inhabited lands.

And

for three centuries,

Europe fought the Saracens for


sion of this Holy Land.
You arc in Syria to fight and to win against

of Crusaders from

who

seeks world domination.

And

waves
posses-

Hitler,

big part of your


5

job
a

is

war

to

make

friends for your cause

much

of ideas, just as

because

this

as of tanks, planes

is

and

is

War

in Syria,

Of Ideas.

and

You're here to prevent Hitler from taking over


strategic land.

why

He's

this

once and probably will again.

tried

the Free French

and the

British occupied

friends.
tried,

From

ways

of the

to beat the

Moslem world,

Axis
to

is

the outbreak of this war, Axis nations have

through their propaganda machines,

religious

war of Moslems against

Syria in July 1941.

to spread a fire of hate

Under the League of Nations, France was given a


mandate over Syria after World War I. When France
surrendered in World War II, German "tourists" began

way

to filter into the desert.

acted to protect the

Then

oil fields

the British

and pipe

and Free French


and guard this

lines

"land bridge" to Asia.

Your coming

will be

welcome

American mandate

to Syrians.

protection.

at the

sense in your dealings with the people of this land. But,


with the best intentions in the world, you're likely to

make

serious mistakes, if you don't learn a little something about Syrians and their ways of doing things. This
pamphlet will help to give you a quick picture of Syria

which may make

it

failed because the

the

easier to get along.

to

kindle a

They hoped

from Turkey and Arabia

North African

Moslems, deeply

Nazi return to heathenism

is

all

the

Their plans have

coast.

religious,

know

that

a threat to their religion,

as well as to others.

By showing your understanding

of
in

Moslem

the Syrian people, you can maintain the


that

Americans already enjoy.

effective

And

character

your relations with

In fact, at

And, too, many Syrians


American University at Beirut.
So, you are in a friendly country and you won't have
much trouble making friends, if you use ordinary horse
have been educated

across the

Christians.

and custom, by your own conduct

the end of the last war, Syria sought to be placed under

One

in other parts of the

convince the people that the United Nations are their

guns.

That's

This

good reputation

you can, in a very

way, take the poison out of Nazi propaganda.

ANCIENT LAND HOLY LAND

WHEN

you stand on the shores of Syria, with your back


you will he looking eastward across
the great "land bridge" between Europe and Asia. Across

to the Mediterranean,

it,

for centuries,

came caravans carrying

silks, spices,

and

the jewels of the Orient to the western world.

We're a bit spoiled now. In about 12 hours a ship may


go through the 100-mile ditch in the sand, the Suez Canal,

and start on through the Red Sea to India. And that ditch
was opened only in November 1869, after nearly to years
of hard work by the French engineer, deLcsseps.
Before then, and since the days of the Phoenicians, the
long, dangerous, costly route was from Syria, through
Iraq down the Persian Gulf to India. Then Sidon was the
great Eastern Mediterranean port from which the Phoenician traders sailed to the Atlantic and even to Britain.
Today, Sidon and its sister city Tyre are only small ports

people you'll meet are shrewd and well-informed


trading peoples are, with a variety of manners and
most
as
customs, picked up here and there.

on the Levant Coast.

throughout Syria.

In their place

is

Beirut (bay-Roor)

the leading Syrian port, followed by Tripoli

and Latakia

The

Beirut

a particularly cosmopolitan city, the seat of


University, an American Christian school that

is

American
has had considerable influence
Latakia, despite

its

and bathing beaches,

(lat-tah-KEt-ya).

in the

spread of education

shops, hotels, movies, restaurants,


is

still

a typical Syrian town.

Its

and they offer


tiny stores arc like cubby-holes
which
are piled
baskets
platter-like
flat
their goods in
high with oranges, olives, or dates. Latakia is famous in
America because it gives to us some of the finest tobacco
in the world, used to flavor American brands.
in a wall

The Coastal

CitfeS.

In these thriving

cities, you'll see

a few

principal avenues, thronged with every kind of people

the Near East


merchants and fishermen, boatmen
and camel drivers, talking several different languages.

of

The Oldest

City in

Mountains,

to the east,

is

the Anti-Lebanon range,


coastal section
like a

Back

the World.

wide

of

the

Lebanon

and back of that


marking the end of the fertile
a

valley,

and the beginning of the

"green island" in the desert,

is

desert.

But here,

Damascus, reputed

peoples.
Baptist, revered alike by Christian and Moslem
world.
the
in
structures
It is one of the most magnificent

Costly

rugs cover

its

supported by marble

vast stone

floor

and

its

roof

is

pillars.

to

be the oldest city in the world, dating back to more than


2,000 years before Christ. Called the "Pearl of the Desert,"
it is a beautiful city, with thousands of
white houses, great
orchards and gardens, high-domed mosques, and palaces
and bazaars, thronged with a motley crowd of Armenians,

Greeks, and Arabs, and donkeys, camels, goats, and sheep.

Sweetmeat sellers and auctioneers fill the thoroughfares


with their noise and stir; eating shops are bedlam and the
bazaars crowded. There the dukkans (duk-KAAN)
(stores) are piled to the ceiling with calicos, muslins,
silks.

On

small,

io-foot

platforms,

in

front

of

and
each

dukkan sit the merchants, cross-legged. Coffee sellers pass


up and down, offering their wares. Merchants furnish
their customers with cigarettes
is

on

always going

The

and

and gossip
what not.
the Moslems in Damascus
coffee free,

crops or politics or

great meeting place for

Mosque once a heathen temple, then a


Christian church, and later held jointly by Moslem and
Christian. Since the 8th Century A. D., it has been
is

the famous

Moslem,
10

but

still

contains

the

shrine

of

John

the
11

Rural incomes

THE SYRIANS
You'll see a lot of the cities and their people, but it's the
desert and the desert folk that give flavor to the land.

THE

desert

beyond

Arab, or tribesman, has few

and tobacco. Even on feast days he


and when no guest is present,
bread and a bowl of camel's milk is about all he requires and he can make long marches on that simple
fare. It is said that the Bedouin (BED-win) is never without hunger. But when a notable guest is in camp, a sheep
must be killed and a bountiful meal of mutton, curds, and
little,

flaps of

bread

is

Mostly the farmers live in small, compact villages built


around springs or near other sources of water. To you,
their methods may seem primitive, but at least one Amerterracing fields

is

finest

examples of

And

their

wooden plow

servation in the world.

suited to the shallow, stony

soil

soil
is

of

conwell

they have to work.

large proportion of these desert farmers are share-

croppers or tenants, the land they


lords

method

one of the

who sometimes

till

being held by land-

control several or

more

villages

and

vast acres of cultivable land.

the order of the day.

More than 250,000 Bedouins roam


in Syria

average about $80 a year, debts

ican conservation expert has said that their


necessities

coffee, sugar,

eats astonishingly

in Syria

are always large and mortgages heavy.

the desert fringes

with their herds of camels and huge flocks of

sheep searching for pasture. You'll be able to recognize


the Bedouin by his flowing robes, his long head scarf and,
frequently, by his long side curls.
Desert Farmers.
Less romantic perhaps than the Bedouin or the warlike Jebel Druze (jE-bel drooz) are the
farmers, but they form the bulk of the 3/2 millions of
people of Syria-Lebanon. They do a remarkably efficient

job in getting what they do out of


just

12

manages

to sustain his family,

it.

The

average farmer

and has

little left

over.

Translation

THERE

is

no conqueror but cod


13

THE ARABIC LANGUAGE

SOME

Syrians speak English, or at least a

but the native language

know a

little

of

little

English,

Arabic and you will need to


to get along well.

it

The Arabic language

is

is

spoken by millions of people

living throughout the coast of

North Africa and the Near


Eastern countries. There are, of course, differences be-

tween countries in these regions both in the use of certain words and in the way they are pronounced. But these
differences are easy

understand and to learn. You


won't be able to read Arabic signs or books because they
use a different alphabet from ours.

You won't have to learn many words since in- everyday


Arabic a few simple words and phrases go a long way.
The majority of Syrians themselves use perhaps only a few
hundred words and they get along pretty well on that.

At the end of this guide, you'll find a list of words and


phrases and some idea of how to pronounce them. Even
your pronunciation

isn't too good, it will please the


Syrians to have you even attempt to talk to them in their
own tongue. And they'll like it especially if you use their
if

polite salutations

GETTING ALONG WITH THE SYRIANS

to

they

are very polite themselves.

THE

Syrian people are friendly to us now. If Hitler's


agents should turn them against us, the consequences
might be very serious. They are the people who can
supply water

doing

they like you*or poison the wells

if

they

if

they don't like us.

If

they like us, they can get

German agents among their tribes. If they disthe Germans might arm them and give us a lot

rid of the
like us,

of grief.

Maybe you understand now why


you

to learn

them our

You
14

if

They can guide us through mountains and desert,


or lead us astray. They can tell us what the Germans are
doing when they like us, or tell the Germans what we are

don't.

how

to get along

it

is

so important for

with the Syrians and kftp

friends.

can do

this chiefly

by understanding their customs,


15

by treating them

politely,

and by being careful never

to

offend them through carelessness or ignorance.


Courtesy.

and

The

Syrians

politeness. If a

fingers to his lips

laugh.

It is his

Americans

make

good deal of courtesy

man

should kiss your hand or raise his


after shaking hands with you, don't

way

of paying you a compliment.

on the back and jostle each


other in fun. Syrians do not. Avoid handling them and
do not try to wrestle with them. Even if you think you
know them well, do not touch their bodies in any way.
Above all, nevlr strike a Syrian. They do not know
how to box. You might think you were just sparring and
knock a man down or even injure him. They would be
slap each other

certain to misunderstand

and word would spread rapidly, as it does among people who don't read and who
rely on gossip for information, that Americans hit people
on the jaw. Besides, it is dangerous. Syrians, like most
it

people of this desert world,

know how

Never get angry at these people.


orders and get them carried out;

It

is

it is

to use knives.

one thing

to issue

another to rub the

wrong way. Save your fighting for the enemy.


You're here to fight with these people against the Axis.
people the

Manners, Private.
attention to
16

Syrians, like most orientals, pay much


good manners. Moslems do not let other peo-

them naked. Do not urinate in their presence.


They do this squatting and dislike to see others do it
standing up. These things may seem trivial, but they are

pie see

important.

You

Manners, PuhliC.
distinguish

manners from

ian customs
their

will find

it

difficult

sometimes to

religious practices.

Many

Syr-

Moslems live
than most of us do.

are religious in their origin.

religion

far

more

intensely

Begin by watching them carefully.


relaSocial customs enter into not only your personal
activities,
tions with Syrians you have met, but all public
such as buying in the bazaars, eating and drinking in
public

places,

and the relations to women. Learn the


on meeting people and use them.

forms of address

Understand that bargaining when making a purchase


is

customary.

It is

part of the social

life

of these people.

They do not trade just for the money, but to meet with
people, learn their ways, practice their own skills and

When

in

Rome, do

as the

Romans

do, as the saying has

been for thousands of years.

remember about Moslem Syrians is that


not drink liquor. This
they do not eat pork and they do
Respect it. You 11
why.
Don't ask
is a religious matter.
later. As a
question
religious
about this

A few things to

see

judgments.

To

bargain intelligently

standing in values. They

you

may

is

to

show under-

treble the price they expect

to pay. If

you pay it, they know you don't know the


real values. But bargain politely. Most of these
tradesmen
know each other well and treat one another as host and
guest. Friendships result

ernized" shops, there

from

is

trade. In the larger "west-

usually a fixed price. So, you

won't have to haggle with them.


Hospitality.
hospitality

The

result of

and friendship.

may yield you


customary for tradesmen

such contacts
It

is

to offer customers coffee and cigarettes.


Do not refuse.
Don't leave your coffee half drunk. Should you be offered
a second and even a third, take it. But it is
considered

bad form to accept

something

that you accept these


drink liquor in their
not
do
things without question. So
to see anyone drunk.
especially,
offends them,

social matter, politeness

presence.

Even

few rules are

your host has said

Never touch the food until


not till
grace ("Bismillah") and then
essential.

Eat only with your right handit is


even if you are a
considered very rude to use the left,
a knife. Break
with
bread
native
cut
southpaw. Do not
will come along with
servant
A
fingers.
your
it with
their hands after dinner.
basins and water for all to wash

he has told you

Women.

You

to.

will not find

Moslem women

in the

com-

hidden. It depends largely


pany Ladies generally remain
among Moslems, paron who your host is, of course. But
with men. The
freely
mingle
not
do

So what? Your customs seem

company

absurd to him.

urge them to drink liquor

or eat pork.

ticularly,

as

It

as a joke, don't offer or

a fourth cup. If you take a fourth, or


refuse a second or a third, your host will put you down
as wanting in manners. This may seem absurd
to you.

just

demands

women

spend at
greater part of their time they
of their

own

families. It

is

home and

in the

considered a very
19

18

serious

breach of manners to even

women. So even
not see

if

you are invited

much of the women.


many Moslem women go

In public,

has occasion to

her

inquire

to a

about the

home, you

veiled. If a

will

woman

while shopping, do not stare


at her. Look the other way. Do
not loiter near them
when at the bazaars. Do not try to photograph
them. It
will cause trouble.
lift

veil

Never make advances

to Syrian women or try to get


their attention on the streets or other
public places. The
desert or village women may seem
to have more freedom,

but they do not.

Any advances on your part are sure to


and plenty of it. Syrians will immediately
dislike you if you do not treat
their women according to
their standards and customs.
These rules are important. Don't ma\e
a pass at any
woman. It will cause trouble. And anyway,
it won't get
mean

trouble,

you anywhere.

Prostitutes

do not walk the

streets,

but

have special quarters.


Religion.

Questions regarding religion are as distasteful

Moslems as arc questions regarding women. It is


well to avoid any k.ind oj religious discussion or argument.
Two-thirds of the Syrians are Moslems, and the remaining third arc Christian. The Moslem community is
to Syrian

more or

less set off

by

itself

and recognized by

its

veiled

women, the sombre, dignified aspect of the men and by


their mosques. The distribution of Moslems and Christians is roughly according to the boundaries of Syria and
Lebanon. Lebanon
mostly Moslem.

mostly Christian, while Syria

is

is

Both the Moslem and Christian groups are broken up


into subdivisions or sects. One of the more important

Moslem

sects arc the

Druze. The Druze

live in a semi-

desert section in the south part of Syria called Jebel Druze.

They keep very much


reserved

people,

to themselves, are a

and are noted

for

their

proud and
daring and

bravery in warfare.

The Moslems follow


hammed. Do not call it
they do not worship
Christ.

Mohammed

the

religion

founded by Mo-

Mohammedan religion, for


Mohammed as Christians worship

is

the

not God.

Allah

is

God, and Mo21

All true

Moslems observe

Ramadan. This period

Ramadan

is

month

of fasting called

similar to our Lent. In

begins September

12.

In 1943,

it

will

1942,

be about

During this period the Moslems do not


and sunset. Do not
eat, drink, or smoke between sunrise
or smoke except
drink
to
them
ask
offer them food, or
weeks

after

hammed
and

The

only His prophet.

the people

who

follow

it

religion

is

called Islam

are called Moslems. There

arc five fundamental principles of Islam:


1

One God, and Mohammed

2.

Prayer

3.

Giving of alms.

4.

Fast of

5.

Pilgrimage to Mecca.

five

PROPHET.

five

moment

hesitations

or refusals without

They cannot be
short during the strains of this month.
them. Respect
on
easy
go
So
efficiently.
work
expected to
the observance of their holiday.

Never smoke or spit near a


repeat a warningavoid any hind of reli-

To

we are fighting
gious discussion or argument. After all,
of "live and let live."
this war to preserve the principle

times a day no matter where they

of prayer.

all

to be
persuasion. Any drawing of blood at this time is
innosebleed
or
scratch
accidental
an
avoided. Even
serious
have
may
unbeliever
an
by
Moslem
flicted on a
tempers are
consequences. Remember that the Moslems'

mosque.

They bow

in the direction

Mecca in Arabia, the holy city of the Moslems. At


the mosque (mosk) they bow in prayer which consists
of reciting passages from the Koran, which is their Bible.
Giving of alms is a religious practice.
of

dark. Respect

Steer clear of mosques.

times a day.

Ramadan.

Moslems pray
are at the

the

earlier.

MeCC3,

The

fifth

important

ritual of

Moslem religion is
Moslems that

the pilgrimage to

Mecca. So

vital is this to

the railroad from

Damascus

to

in 1901

and completed

subscriptions by

Mecca, in Arabia, started

in 1909,

the faithful

was

from

all

built entirely

from

over Islam to

make
23

22

easier the pilgrimage to the holy city.


is

No

"unbeliever"

ever permitted to enter Mecca.

HOW

Get Along

tO

farming

in

On

the Villages.

district, there

regard to introductions.

entering a village or

are definite rules of procedure in

No

matter

how

small the detach-

ment, the leader should find out whether or not the area
is controlled by a landlord, called a "malik il-ard"
(maa-

hk H ard).

If so,

his cooperation

he should

and

on the landlord and seek

call

friendliness.

If

the area

is

controlled

by an absentee landlord, find out who is his representative,


or "wakeel" (wa-KEEL) and make yourself known to
him.

Every
lord, has

tahr).

whether or not it is controlled by a landmayor, who is called the "mukhtar" (mukh-

village,
its

On

entering a village, the leader should introduce

himself to the mayor and

call at his

find the mayor, he should


eldest

man

Moslem

You

himself

If

he cannot

known

to the

in the village, or to the priest in a Christian

village, or the

make

house.

"imam" ( i-MAAM )

or "sheikh" (shaykh) in

If

you find both

will

know

mosque and a church in a village, you


community is composed of both Chris-

tians

and Moslems. In

own

section of the village.

all

probability, each
If

group has

its

you find yourself in one of

these communities, be careful not to favor one

group more

you buy goods, for instance, be sure to


patroijize both groups. Treat the priest and sheikh with
that the other.

If

equal respect.

The

friendliness

largely

who

on

and cooperation you

your dealings with

have been mentioned

sheikh, or priest.

authority

village.

that the

and

are

They
the

the

the

will get

influential

depend
citizens

landlord, bailiff, mayor,

are the persons with the most


respected

members

of the com-

village

munity. All transactions regarding supplies, quarters, etc.,


should be carried on through them. To disregard these

village possesses a

local

can usually

tell

a Christian village from a

Moslem

by the simple method of observing whether the


church or a mosque. A mosque always
has a minaret or tower from which prayers are called.
24

leaders

would be considered a

Syrian etiquette and would incur the

ill

serious breach
will of the

of

whole
25

community. So treat the local leaders with respect at all


times and entertain them whenever possible. Another
helpful

person

(naa-toor).

is

the

village

The watchmen

watchman, the "natour"

are

usually well informed


geography and gossip. They are often the first
to know of unusual happenings and can thus
be very useful to you. But remember that it is the
watchman's busi-

on the

How To Get Along in the Desert. If you arc in the desert,


remember that every bit of land is the property of some
unit
specific group of tribesmen. The leader of your
should discover to what tribe or group the land belongs

local

ness to be suspicious of strangers. Therefore


his trust before

he

you must win

willing to help you.


suspicious
watchman will often give you false information purposely.
This also holds true of the local leaders if they
mistrust
you. At all times it is to your advantage to make
friends!
Here are a few things to remember in winning the friendis

ship of the villagers:

Respect village property. Keep to paths and


roadways.
not enter cultivated fields or take fruits
and vegetables from orchards and gardens. Villagers
depend on
these crops for their living. Their margin
of reserve

Do

is

very slim.

Do

not gather fuel without permission. It also


is limited. Each and every tree
has its owner and woodlots are sometimes the property of the
village. Sometimes
the groves are considered holy and no person
may touch
the wood. It is even considered improper
to sit under the
shade of a tree. The Syrians themselves
mostly use dried

animal dung for

fuel.

Learn

to use this.

and seek out and pay a call on the sheikh or headman.


Always try to obtain permission before taking water from
rights.
desert wells. The Syrians have complicated water
posvaluable
most
their
water.
It
is
wasteful
of
Never be
session. It

is

likely to be yours, too.

2G
27

CLIMATE AND SANITARY CONDITIONS

The

tribesmen

admire courage and resourcefulness.


Let them see that you have these qualities. They will be
grateful of any generosity you can show them,
such as
along the road. Whenever possible, give the men
and children empty tins or other items you -ran part
with.
discarded gasoline can, for example, is considered

lift

proud possession.

THE climate of

the coastal portion of Syria

Southern California.

like that of

The

is

good deal

winters are cool,

but not cold, with some rain, while the summers are

warm and

sunny. Orange and olive groves abound.

Lebanon
Back
Mountains (remember the cedars of Lebanon in the
of the coastal plains stand the forested

which are covered with snow in the winter.


a new and popular sport here.
In the valley or "central depression" between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains, the climate is somewhat drier than the coast, and irrigation is often necessary. The winters are colder and the summers warmer.
Bible?)

Skiing

This
"Rain

is

valley,

Wheat and

Mercy from God"

Arab

is

proverb

however,

is

and

fertile

other cereals are

its

well

cultivated.

principal crops.

Unlike the forested Lebanons, the Anti-Lebanon range


is

bleak and barren, without

much

rainfall. It

is

a fitting

approach to the desert, which stretches eastward from


its foothills. Though this desert occupies by far the g.eatcr
portion of Syria,

son with the

and

it

is

only sparsely inhabited in compari-

rest of the country,

because of

its

unfertile character. Yet the Syrian desert

the great Sahara desert in Africa,

all

unfriendly
is

not like

sand and wasteland,

but more like the deserts of the southwestern United


29

28

States

stony

with waterholes

soil

covered with light vegetation,

T$ipd_

at fairly frequent intervals.

In a strategic way, the desert

portant part of Syria

to

is

perhaps the most im-

the United

Nations, because

run the great pipelines from the oil fields of


Iraq to the Mediterranean, and also because of its position

across

as the

ever you wear, be sure that

shades the back of your

it

your head.

as the top of

neck as well

If

you expose the

back of your neck you are inviting sunstroke. Protect


your eyes

too.

it

In the desert, be prepared for extremes of temperature.

The days

gateway to Persia and India beyond.

are very hot.

The

nights can be very cold.

Boil your drinking water or see that

In general, Syria

Sanitary Conditions.
try.

It

we

a healthful coun-

even hopes some day to become

health resort of the Mediterranean.


tions

is

in

many

as the

sanitary condi-

parts of the country are not like those

are accustomed to,

be neglected.

Still,

known

little

and certain precautions must not


knowledge may help to avoid

serious illness.

Keep your

in Syria. In this

when you

are in the

kind of a climate

it

is

summer sun

very easy to

yourself be burned and think nothing of

let

But next
and
possibly fever and delirium. It is not necessary to wear
a sun helmet; a service hat is usually sufficient. But whatday you are likely to wake up with black

it.

blisters

properly

is

cities
There is
river
open
not
the
(though
Damascus
of Beirut and
water in the latter city, which is impure).
Avoid eating unwashed lettuce and other raw un-

chlorinated.

washed

vegetables.

They may be contaminated by human

excrement. Outside the

made
hat on

it

adequate pure water in the

in sanitation.

little

cities,

Wash raw

away from
If

flies

or by

them

human

contact.

Keep

all

con-

food

flies.

you keep

to these rules

you

will

have a good chance


all com-

of avoiding typhoid, paratyphoid, and dysentery

mon

before

may have become

eating them, because the skins

taminated by

progress has been

fruits or peel

diseases in Syria. If

you do get dysentery or diarrhea,

cut your diet and include plenty of "leben" (LE-ben).


Leben is a sour milk product and is one of the most healthful dishes of the country.

It

can be mixed with water and

drunk as a cooling drink. You


and it will relieve dysentery.

will find

it

easy to obtain

31

Do not drink
Malaria

unboiled milk

at

quite prevalent in Syria.

is

CURRENCY, WEIGHTS, MEASURES, ETC.

any time.
It

is

carried by a

kind of mosquito which breeds in marshy


areas, uncovered wells and cisterns, and in shallow water

Syrian Currency.

particular

pools along the scacoast. If at

all

possible, stay

where malaria is common. When you


sleep under nets and keep your arms and
areas

away from

can't

do

this,

legs covered,

Sandflies, which are smaller than mosquitoes and


which can get through an ordinary mosquito net carry
a slight three-day fever which is not serious but is weakIt

is

prevalent in
oil will

give

known

as

sandfly fever. Sandflies are

midsummer. Coating yourself with


you some protection from them.

Venereal disease

The

rate of

exchange of Syrian money

United States currency varies, so that the table below

can only give approximate


currency

is

ratios.

the Syrian pound,

American money and

The

which

principal unit of
is

worth 46^

is

fairly

widespread

in

Syria.

most

These are some general health suggestions. Your mediand sanitary officers will give you others.

An

below.

easy

way

remember Syrian currency

to

is

to

think of each piastre as being worth just about half of

an American cent.
1

Don't

The

approximate values of the various piastre pieces are given

a light

take chances.

in

divided into 100 "piastres" (pee-

is

AS-turz) or "irsh" (the Arabic word for piastre).

especially at dusk.

ening.

to

pound
U. S.

(mo

piastres)

= 46C

{called "1

piastres

fra?ic")~

2( U. S.

50 piaslreS=2J<f U. S.
25 pitislrrs= 110 U. S.
10 piastres^ U. S.

I
Yz

piastre Vii U. S.
piastre '/^ U. S

cal

Palestinian Currency.
will also

In

know something

about

of Palestinian currency
is

some

parts of the country

you

run into Palestinian currency, so you had better

The

its

value, too.

is

the Palestinian pound,

worth approximately $4.00

in

principal unit

which
American money and is

divided into 1,000 "mils." Like the Syrian piastre, each

mil

34

is

worth about

half of

an American cent. The

table

35

below

will give

you the approximate

exchange of

rates of

the various mil pieces.


I

pound

(j ,000

u. s.
100 wih40^ u.

of our acres.

mils) ~ S4.00

10 mils=4<? U.

s.

S.

5 mils=2i U. S.
mils=oM U. S.
1 mil J-iC U. S.

50 nnIs=2oC U. S.
20 mils if. U. S.

system.

The Moslem Calendar. The official calendar of Syria is


the same as ours. It is used for all business transactions.

But the Moslems reckon time by a lunar (moon)


endar.

So

a given date in the

is

time when

cal-

calendar will vary

on our calendar. The lunar


of no importance to us except in telling the

from one year


calendar

Moslem

to the next

Ramadan

will occur.

Ramadan

the

is

Moslem

Lent, about which you have read earlier in this guide.

Weights and Measures.


official

unit

The

length

of

in

(meet-ur). which

our yard.

The

is

the

metric system

metric

system

is

which

is

is

used for

is

the

all

The

in Syria.

311.37 inches, or a little

unit of road distances

(fyll-oh-meet-ur),

"meter"

more than

the "kilometer"

1,000 meters or

(a

little

over a half) of one of our miles.

The
tair),

unit of square measure

which

varies

is

local

square measure

is

the

"dunum"

(du-

the "hectare" (hecf(-

consists of 10,000 square meters or about

2M

local

from one

measure

is

the "roll" (ruhtl).

locality to another.

It

This unit

ranges from about

5 14 to 6V2 pounds.

Liquids in the metric system are usually measured by


the "liter" {lee-tur).

liter

is

little

more than one

of

our liquid quarts.

SOME IMPORTANT

DO'S

AND DON 'TS

Don't enter mosques.

Never smoke
If

measurements of distance and area

num), which is equal to 1,000 square meters or about


%
of an American acre.
The unit of weight in the metric system is the "kilogram" (^tli-oh-gram), which equals 2.2 pounds in our

or spit in front of a mosque.


you come near a mosque, keep moving and don't

loiter.

Keep

when Moslems

silent

Discuss something else

are praying

and don't

never religion or

stare.

women

with Moslems.

Avoid offering opinions on internal politics.


Shake hands with Syrians; otherwise don't touch them
or slap them on the back.

Remember

that the Syrians are a very

and avoid any exposure of the body

modest people

in their presence.

36

37

When

Start eating only after your host has begun.

Eat with vour right hand


if

never

with your

left,

even

Always break bread with your fingers never cut it.


Bread to the Moslems is holy. Don't throw scraps of
about or

let

it

the

women and

in the

bowl

what

first

in

course there may be four

if

Moslems.
Moslems refuse to eat meat which you
in front of

They may consider it religiously unclean.


Don't give Moslems alcoholic drinks.
Drink liquor somewhere else never in the presence

They

men walking hand

hand,

in

are not "queer,"


to servants.

The

Syrians are

very democratic people.

Avoid any expression


badly you do

it,

if

of race prejudice.

you can to the people.

they like

No

matter

how

it.

Shake hands on meeting and leaving.


meeting a Syrian, be sure to inquire after

his

health.

of

Moslems.

If

you wish to give someone a present, make

it

sweets

or cigarettes.
before entering a house.

wait until she has had time to

If a

woman

answers,

retire.

Follow the rule of your host. If


on entering the house, do the same.
you are required to sit on the
or tent, cross your legs while doing
If

you see grown

Be kind and considerate


ii

On

ofler.

Knock

it.

Talk Arabic

pork products.

Don't eat pork or pork products

Be pleasant

When
ignore

more coming.
Don't give Moslems food containing pork, bacon or
cooked

Be kind to- beggars. They are mostly honest unforGive them some small change occasionally.

you leave goes to

or five

lard, or

third

tunates.

children.

Eat only part of the

The

Don't bring a dog into the house.


it

on the ground.

Leave some food

your welcome.

the signal to leave unless you are

is

quartered there.

you are a southpaw.

fall

visiting, don't overstay

glass of tea or coffee

he takes

off his shoes

floor in a Syrian
SO.

house

If you are stationed in the country,


take sweets and cigarettes with you
Syrian's house.

it is

good idea

when you

visit

to

Show respect toward all older persons. If serving food,


the oldest person should be served first.
Be

polite.

Good manners

are

essential

among

the

39
38

Syrians.

Be hospitable

not turn away

Bargain on

callers.

prices.

to Syrians

whenever

Serve them coffee or

Don't

let

possible.

Do

shopkeepers or merchants

THESE

are pronunciation hints to help you in listening


language records which have been supplied

to the Arabic

overcharge you; but be polite.


Be generous with your cigarettes.

Above all, use common sense on all


remember that every American soldier
ambassador of good will.

HINTS ON PRONOUNCING ARABIC

tea.

occasions.
is

an

And

unofficial

to your troop unit. They will also help you with


the
pronunciation of additional words and phrases given in
the vocabulary below, which are not included in
the

records.

Arabic

spoken over

a great area in

North Africa and


some differences between regions, both in pronunciation and the use of words.
The
dialect and words you are going to hear on this set
of
records are Syrian and Palestinian and you will be
unthe

Near

derstood

is

East.

There

are

and Palestine and in the cities of


in Cairo and the Egyptian Delta
region, [f you should go on to other regions, where other
varieties of Arabic are spoken, you will be given
further
in

Syria

Trans-Jordania and

information at that time. Don't worry about that now.


There is nothing very difficult about Arabic except

you won't be able to read Arabic signs and newspapers you will see. That is because they use a different
alphabet from ours. Therefore, the instructions and vocabulary below are not based on the written Arabic
lanthat

guage, but are a simplified system of representing the


language as it sounds. This system contains letters for
all the sounds you must make to be
understood. It does
40

41

not contain
but

it

will

some of the sounds you will hear,


give you enough to get by on, both listening
letters for

AU

equals

"first".)

e or

equals

are a

few simple

EE

rules to help you:

2.

Vowels.

English by

the key below


a or

i,

and you

equals

of sounds

we

represent

equals

equals

will

equals

AY

equals

WE-led meaning

equals

the

the a in pa: usually, but


to

if

the

man you

get you at

first,

equals

OO

equals

NAH-'am meaning
but
Al-tva meaning
ay
daybut
ai

the

WAYN

stretch

it.

(Example: ya-

"sir.")

(Example:

pit.

"madam.")

ya-SIT

the o in go
but stretch it.
SOL-yti meaning "beans.")
the oo in boot but stretch

meaning

(Example:

fa-

it.
(Example:
tS-ma% meaning "what is your name.")
the u in put. (Example: u'-ZUR-ni meaning

u or

"excuse me.")

UH

equals

the

arc
try

sounding it
pronounced that way. There is no fixed
is
rule. You'll just have to listen and learn.
(Example: tif-HAM-ni meaning "do you
understand me.")
the a in demand but stretch (lengthen) it.
(Example: WAA-hid meaning "one.")
the a in jather
but stretch it. (Example:
the

in

but

meaning

ii

in but.

(Example: min-FUKD-lak. mean-

ing "please,")

it

in

aisle

stretch

it.

(Example:

stretch

it.

(Example:

in

meaning "where.")

The

Consonants.

consonants are

the sounds that


you know them
in English. AU consonants should be pronounced.
Never
"slight" them. Here are some special consonant
sounds
3.

arc not vowels. Pronounce

them

all

just as

to learn
li

small h

small

kh

is

is

if.

always pronounced with the


Listen carefully to the h sound
is

pronounced

spit.

gh

"yes.")

42

or

uh or

have no trouble.

"yes.")

AI

follow

like the o in pot: sometimes

AH

(Example:

SHOO

o, u, ah, ay, ei, oi, etc. Just

talking to doesn't seem

AA

pet.

the rr in feet

in small letters.

These are the kind


a, e,

equals

SlLE-di

unaccented syllables

in

in

"boy.")

Accents. You know what the accented syllable of


a word is, of course. It is the syllable which is spoken
louder than the other syllables in the same word. We
will show accented (loud) syllables in capital letters and
1

the

and speaking.

Here

now. (Example: AU-wal meaning

the our in

as

when

clearing your throat

Listen carefully for

pronounced

It is like

to this

like

it

on

kh except

the sound you

/)

on

sound except after


the records.

when you have

to

the records.
that

you put "voice" into

make when you

it.

gargle. Listen carefully

sound on the records.

43.

is

like the sh in

be pronounced like a slight couj;h. Listen carefully for it


on the records. Whenever it is indicated, pronounce it clearly,
but do not pronounce it even accidentally where it is not indicated, or you will be misunderstood,
is to

is

always pronounced

MOST USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES

LIST OF

show.

like the s in hiss.

HERE

is

need

will

list

of the most useful words

Arabic.

in

You should

these by heart.
words and phrases included on the Arabic
language records, and appear here in the order they occur
on the records.

They

are the

Greetings and General

English

Sir

ya SEE-di

Madam
Miss

AA-ni-sa

mm-FUHD-

man)
a

(to

woman)-

min-

FVHD-lik,

help

AND VICTORY

is
IS

from god
NEAR

Please

son)

Excuse

(to

more than one

per-

min-FVHD-il-l(im>

me

(to

man)

'-

ZUR-tii
Excuse

NAH-'am
No LAA'
Do you understand
HAM-ni
Yes

lak.

Please

Thank you (to a man) KATtar KHAYR-ak.


Thank you (to a woman)
KAT-iar KHAYR-ik.
Thank you (to more than one
person) KAT-tar KHAYR-

ya SIT

Please (to a

PhfMM

Simplified Arabic Spelling

Good day na-HAA-rak. sa'EED


Good evening MA-sal KHAYR

Translation

and phrases you

learn

me

woman)

u'-

zur-EE-ni
Excuse me (to more than one
person)
u'-zur-OO-ni

lif-

A-na wish

don't understand-

FAA-him
Please

(to a

me

speak

FVHD-lak.

Ih-ki

min

SHWAI

SHWA1

45

But notice again:

Location

Where

WAYN

is

the

restaurant If AYN

station

railroad

WAYN

,1-ma-HAT-la

it-

MAT-'am

toilet

WAYN BAYT

lil-ya-

MEEN
Distances

equals

are

given

in

point

DUGH-ri
mitt

not

miles.

FUHD-lali,

One

kilometer

?i of a mile.

Kilometers

kilometers

mit-RAAT
Ten kilometers

eleven

of the

counting

is

Eleven

use the numbers with other words notice what

kilometer

k,ee-lo-MI-tir

on,

kilometers"

all

in

one word.

Two

kilometers k"-lo-mil-

KjYN
Three kilometers TLAAT &c-

h-mit-RAAT
46

the

same
use in.

used with the simple


as follows:

ifi-DA'SH

kilometers

Flve

AR-ba

\ee-lo-

kilometersKHAMS far-

lo-mii-RAAT

SixSIT-t,
Seven SAB- 'a
EightTMAA-m

NineTIS-'a
Tcn'ASH-ra

kilometers

ti-si'-

kt-lo-Ml-lir
kilometers
'iih-REEN

kee-h-MI-tir

"twenty-one,"
"thirtytwo," and so forth, you add the
simple form of the numbers to
the

words

for

just

as

"twenty"

and

we sometimes

say "one and twenty," thus:

Twenty-one kilometers WAAhid u-'ish-REEN /(n-lo-MJ-tir


Thirty

kilometers

Twelve

it-NA'SH

kilometers

k,ee-lo-MI-tir

Fourteen

TA'SH
Fifteen

TA SH
Sixteen

kilometers

tla-TEEN

kilometer s
u-lla-TEEN

Ml-tir
Forty kilometers-

ar-ba-'EEN

kilometers l^ham-SEEN

h,ee-lo-MI tir

One hundred
l^ha-niis-

it-

&c-lo-

kee-lo-Ml-tir
Fifty

ar-ba'-

k't-lo-MI-lir

kilometers

Thirty-two

NAYN

Thirteen kilometers llal-TA'SH

mit-RAAI

For two kilometers you say


of

F<mr kilometers

TA'SH

"thirty"

kce-lo-Ml-tir

WAA-hid
"couple

l(ee-lo-

kee-lo-Mi-lir

happens:

One

Nineteen

For

'A-shar kce-lo-

number you

k'e-lo-Ml-tir

kce-lo-Ml-tir

Three TLAA-ti
when you

ta-MAAN

tmen-

kilometers

TA'SH

Twenty

form of the word

Four IR-ba-'a
KHAM-si
Five

kec-

mit-RAAT

form

Numbers

Hut

SA-b'i

kilometers

From

k,ec-to-mil-RAAT

One WAA-hid
Two it-NAYN

Eighteen
(^ee-lo-mit-

kce-lo-mst-RAAT
Nine kilometers Tl-si'

far-ZHEE-ni

kilometers,

SIT

lo-mtt-RAAT

Straight ahead
Please

Turn left- DOOR iish-M AAL

Seven
Eight

Directions

rightDOOR

Six kilometers

RAAT
il-

MAI

hotel WAYN il-O-TAYL

Turn

kilometers

Ml-yi

l(ce-lo-Ml-iir

kre-lo-Ml-lir

kilometers

iit-TA'SH

k.ee-lo-MJ-tir

Seventeen

kilometers

TA'SH

^ee-lo-Ml-tir

But

for

200 you would say

"couple of hundreds"

all in

die

same word:
sa-bi'-

Two hundredMEE-XAYN
47

Tsvo hundred kilometersMEE-

TAYN

250 kilometers
I^hani-SEEN I^ec-lo-MI-tir

11-

\liams

^hams Ml-yi UU-kham-SEEN liee-lo-

MI-tir

1000 kilometers

elf l(ce-lo-Ml-

Piaster

Two

Pound

'irsk

More

than

LEE-ra

Two poundsUR-TAYN

piasters 'ir-SHAYN
'11-

piasters

More

ROOSH

than

pounds

LEE-

RAAT

tir

11255 kilometersMEE-TAYN
\hams u-kiamSEBN k"-lo-

SHOO, AYSH
HAA-da
this
What's this SHOO HAA-da
AYSH HAA-da
I want BID-di

Time

is

cigarettes BID-di

Ml-lir

What time
or

sa-CAA-

yir

555 you would

Money

and

555 kilometers

What

For 155 vou would say "couple hundreds, five and fifty":

But for

five

fifty":

For 250 you say "couple of


hundreds ami fifty":

MEE-TAYN

and

hundred

"five

liee-lo-MI-tir

to

say

tat BID-di

'ad-DAYSH

it

Ten minutes

KHAM-si

u-

RU-bi'

Half past

six

to

three TLAA-ti

IL-la 'ASH-ra

Quarter past five

Twenty

0-W

is

is-SAY-'a

sit

u-NUS

past seven

At what time AI-ya SAY-'a


the movie
is-Sl-na-ma
starts

SAB-'a u-

TULT

bi-TlB-da

At what time does the movie


Al-ya SAY-a' bi-TlBda is-SI-na-ma
start

Twenty of eight is
and two thirds" or

Foods
Bread

KH U

-biz

VruiiFWAA-ty

Water MA!
Eggs BAYD
Steak

STAYK

Meat
Potatoes ba-TAH-tas
niz

Beans

(navy)ja-SOL-ya
SA-tnak

Salad SA-la-ia
MilkAa-LEEB
48

glass of

beer KAAS

cup of coffee ftn-ZH A AN


'Ah-wi

cost

find out

FOOL

how much

things

you say:

costs
this

"eight ex-

cept one third":

bi-KAL-lij

HAA-da

How much docs this cost 'adDAYSH bi-KAL-lij HAA-da

Twenty

of eight

TAYN
TVLT
Quarter

or

Quarter of two
la

SAB-'a

u-tnl-

TMAA-ni

of IL-la

The trainit-TRAYN
lci\ebi-SAA-/ir

BEE-ra

How much 'ad-DAYSH

Rice

Fish

A
A

To

LA-bim

Beans (horse)

BEE-ra

Beer

said "seven

At

IL-la

what time does the train


Al-ya SAY-'a bi-SAA-

leave
ftr

RU-bi'

it-TRAYN

Todayil-YOM

it-NAYN

IL-

Tomorrow

BUK-ra

RU-bi'

Days

Sunday YOM il-HAD


Monday yOAY ir-NAYN
Tuesday YOM it-TLAA-ta
Wednesday YOU il-AR-ba-'a

of the

Week

Thursday YOM il-tya-MEES


FridayYOM il-ZHUM-'a
SaturdayYOM is-SEBT

49

Useful Ph rases

What is
man)
What is

name

your

SHOO

(to

IS-mal^

name

your

{to

woman)SHOO

IS-mik.

My name is IS-mi
Does anyone here speak

Eng-

Months

KAA-NO ON TAA-ni
FebruarySHBAHT
MarchAA-DAHR
AprilNEE-SAAN

lishFEE
HA-da
HON
BYlb-{i in-GLEE-zi
Goodbye (by person leaving)
bi-KHAHT-rab,

Ja n ua ry

Goodbye (by person replying)


ma- 'is-sa-LAA -mi

May Al-YAHR
]uncha-ZAY-RASN

si the

Year

August AAB
September AY-LOOL

Octoberlish-REEN AU-wal

Novembertisis-REEN TAA-ni
December KAA-NOON
AUwal

July TEM-MOOZ

GLOSSARY
[

English

Relationships

boy WE-lcd

Arabic

(of river J

darkness

shuhi

desert
field

BAA-dia
HA-'il,
marzh

the

burs

ard

(ravine)-

ZHO-ra

hillre/

Nl-zbim
(plain)

strean

after

snow

teizh

evening

finger

tomorrow

ha'd

MA-sa
SHA-bir
SU-bifi

LAYL

son

im-BAA-rih

ZA-la-

im
tikjit

1-bin

woman

DRAA-'AYN

MA-ra

head RAHS

BUK-

AU-wal

\eg-SAA'
mouth turn

US-ba'

xeelhSNAAN
-US-ba- IZH-ir

bed FER-shi
blanketA-A'/f/JVH
KUR-si

House and Furniture


room O-da
stairs
OA-razh

chair

door

BAAB

drinking water
house

mun-KHAHR

nose

lootlZH-ir
hair
SHA-'ir
hand EED

(cooking

stove

place)

-SO-ba

tableTAHW-li

MAI-yh SHU-

ntb

Sl-ni

yesterday-

A-boo
bint

DA-hcr
eye'AIN

weekZHUM-'a
year

girl

bint

back

ra

night

SHI -la
NA-har

sister

arms

day before yesterday


im-BAA-rih

the ocean

ii-BA-bar

mother

daughter

or

Human Body

day YOM
day

man rnzh-ZHAAL
mi (slang)

KHAl

(singular)

ZHAD-wal
uh-SHAMS
HA'Wa

month
morning

rain

(plural;

SUH-bi

zWMWE-lrd
father

BA-ba-ra
the moon
d-'A-mar
mountain ZHE-bel
lake

river

etc.)

the starsin-ZHOOM

wind

(woods)

ground

water-hole,

the sun

grass ha-SHEESH
gully

A1N

na-HAHR

fire NAHR
forest

spring

ZUL-mt

daytime (light)

akh or

brother

Surroundings -Natural Objects


bank

or

wallHAYT
water

BAYT

kitchen MAT-bal(.h

for

washing

MAI

til-

GHUH-sil
window sbitb-BAAK

50
51

Food and Drink- Tobacco


oranges

ZIB-di

butter

mal-FOOF

cahbagc-

cauliflower

'ar-na-BEET

radishes

(cooked

food)

BEEKH

toi natocs

kmofuLAY-MOON
bat-TEEKH

ur

city

path

turnips

wine

n-BEED

ZH AA-mi'
'

pass)

ma-MAR

post office BOS-ia


police post

road

MAKH-far

lice

spider'un-ka-BOOT

NAA-MOOS

bedbugs

khah-BAAZ

baker

cook-

barber

fel-LAAh
shoemaker k"i-DAR-zAi

iMork'wYAHT

O-TAYL

first
AV-tval
second
TAA-ni

TAA-lii

third

fourth

61

to-KAX-du

ta-RE' or dark

TAA-si'

tenth

'AA-shir

twelfth
sixty

SAA-dis
seventh
SAA-bi'
sixth

eighth

ninth

eleventh

RAH-bi'

fihkKHAA-mis

well BEER

'ASH-s/ii

farmer

Numbers

dnkfiAAS'

movie Sl-ntt-nia
town BAL-da
village
AR-yi or DAY-'a

ba'

Trades and Occupations

hat-LAA'
blac ksm ith
had -DA AD

//'//

SHAA-ri'

hotel

'A'-rab

\4-mu/

Jub-BAAN

bu\cW\lah-HAAM

street

mc-L)EE-iiti or BA-Kid

(trail,

scorpion

mosquitoes

iukJt-KHAAK
ban-DOO-n

sliop (store)

Zlll-str

ch fo-Ai EE-sa

mosque

HAl-yi

rat

dies

Surroundings
bridgt

GHA -nem

snake'

i\casba-RAA-GHEET

KtSHAH-t
tobacco

'1-nab

melons

sheep

AR-nab
zhir-DON

Fl-x/iil

SUK.-k.ar

sugar

l.A-ban

A-k.il

grapes

Win -ZEER

Insects

saltMM/A

kh>-YAHk

curded milk
food

Imr-du-

pipeghat-YON

SEE-GHAHR

cucumbers

'a-SEER

AN

ZAH'-nt
cigars

juice

rabbit

pig

hitr-dn-'AAN

orange
'A

sit-TEEN

seventy

TAA-min

HAA-di 'A-shm
TAA-ni 'A-shar
sa-ba-'EEN

eighty

ta-nm-NEEN

ninety

tis-'EEN

Animals
animal

As/'-

WAHN

Clothing

donkey

(burrow,

MAIIR

'as-FOOR
camel ZHA-rnrl
ZilAA-zhi
chicken (hen)

goat

cow RA-'a-rii
doy ^v/fr

mouse FAHR
mule BA-gliil

bird

-AN-si

hor*h-SAHN

iackass) hbelt

boots
coat

zitn-NAHR

or

KA-mar

ZHEZ-mi
SAH-kp

gloves KFO OF
hat
bur-NAY-ta
necktiegra-VAAT
shirt 'o-M5

shoes
sa-RAH-mt
sockskai-SAAT
sweater
ZHER-zi
trousers

undershirt
or

RAB-ta

bait-ta-LON

u-MEES tah-TAA-

ni

52
53

Prepositions

Adjectives
for

goodTAl-yib

or

KWAI-yis

or

im-LEEH
hiibal-TAHL
big k.e-BEER
za-CHEER
small

SHMAAL

left

ma-REED

sick

'ai-YAAN
mab-SOO'F

or

at -SUA

white

blue

green-

colli

BAA-rid (thing) or

AN

for-

SU-khtt
(person)

nitib'LOOL

diyNAA-shij
x pensive- GHAA-lt
cheap ir-KHEES
empty FAH-di or FAA-rig/i
fullW-Y/f/fiV

/4Z-rfl'

AKH-dar

-SHA AN

on
to

in

up

/-EE
win

with

FO'

above

near

k'l-MAAN MAR-ra
behind
WA-ra
beside
zhemb

on

you

int

(masc); IN -It

IN-tu (pi.)
he

HOO

she HEE
hum
they
HAA-da
thisthese ha-DOL

ma' or

Ai-

belowla fit

on

a-REEB

that side

zhemb

-A-la

ha-

this side

'A la

zhemb HAA-

da
there

more

a-'AL
AK-tar or

and

kw

less

(adv.) or

DAAK

'ttd-DAAM

in front

zhemb

(adj.)

farbet-' EE D
hereHON

very

htt-NAAK
if^-TEER

where WAYN

FAYN

or

ka-MAAN

orAV

or u-

LAA-ki"
\il-da or /-ZH
but

otc.

ha-DAAK
those ha-DO-LEEK
who \IEEN
what-SHOO or //V'SH
how manv 4"'"
how tarad-DAYSH BYlB-'ad
or ad-DAYSH il-ma-SAA-fi

that

(fern.);

l-la

Phrases for vcry Day

How do
KEEF

you say ... in Arabic?


bit-

001.

...

bit -'A-ra-

bi

What

date

DAYSH
What

anyone -HA -da


everybody $// WAA-kid

or 7L-/a

in

or

that

A-na
Ih-na

li-

li-HAD

to

Conjunctions

Pronouns,

we

or

'al

Adverbs

yellow UHS-jar

'A -la

from

again

SHO-BAAN

wet

ifl

(not

DA AN (person)
hot SNOB (weather)
(thing)

AS-wad
UHB-yuhd
Ah-mur

black

red

gha-MEE'

deep)

ya-SAHR

of

g/ia-MEE'

shallow

vieW TAl-yib or
hungry ZHO-'AAN
thirsty

high *^H-
\owWAH-ti
deep

or

day

AYSH

today?

is

ad-

il-YOM?
of

the

ii-YOM?

Today

Today

is Tuesday,
it-TLAA-ta

Come
week?

the fifth of June

is

YOM KHAM-si
RAAN

Cninc

here

etc,

il-

ih-ZAY-

il-YOM

ta-'AAL la-HON
ta-'AAL
a-

quickly

WAAM
55

54

Go quickly ROOk 'a-WAAM

Who

ZHEEB

What do you want?

SHOO BID-dak. (to a man)


SHOO BlU-dik. (to a woman)
AYSH BlD-k.nm (to more
than one)
Bring some drinking water

lish-SHVRB

(to

man)
ZHEE-bi MAI Ush-SHVRB
(to a woman)
a

I-shi lil-A-kjl

man)
ZHEE-bi I-shi
woman)

ZHEE-bu

lil-A-k.il

(to

(to a

water?

ad-

bi-TlB-'id il-MAI
is

Palestine. 6.36 lbs.;

Palestine,

lbs.;

North

lbs.

'un-TAHR
635.922

5.653

Palestine,
Palestine,

South
lbs.;

North

lbs.

0.53
11.471

It

2.827

KEE-LO
lbs.

luhn

MEE-lir

meter

(39.37 inches).

or

DRAA'S.

often

futile

to

try

often

reply

to

a place

that

20 minutes (the time

it

out exact distances from

find

little
is

idea of accurate expression.

"two

takes to

cigarettes

smoke one

the

They

away," or about

cigarette,

about

10

kilogram

may reply that a place is so many hours away,


mean hours traveling by horse, donkey, or camel.

sophisticated Arabs express distance in meters or kilometers,

or perhaps miles.

lbs.

(2.2046

Money

avd.)

(pronounced

2204.6

ton

like

Palestine

Eng.

(metric),

or

mil
lbs.

one

mil (Palestine), about

half a cent;
Palestine,

Note: The metric system is in official use in Syria, but the old
Arab weights still are used. Both in Palestine and in Syria these
weights vary considerably from place to place and will have to be

56

is

More

O'-'a

lbs.

learned by experience.

sq.

measure),

kilometer

MEEL mile.

square

Bedouins, because they have

565.259

(land

by which they

ton)
Palestine,

1099.5056

of a mile or 3280,8 feet).

minutes). Or they

Weight!

South
North
O-'EE-a South

kee-lo-Mt-tir

Distances

will

li-MEEN

this?

1600

(to

lil-A-kfl

the

Whose house
hai-BAYT

DU-num
yards

I-shi

is

or

(cloth

more than one)


How far is the camp? adDAYSH BYlB-'id il-KAMB

How far
DAYSH

PEEK 26.67 inches


measure); 29.84 in.
(building and land measure).

DRAA'

Bring some food

one;

rati

Measure*

(to niorc than one)

MEEN int (to a man)


MEEN IN-ti (to a woman)
MEEN IN-tu (to more than

ZHEEB MAI

MAI lish-SHURB

ZHEE-bi,

are you?

1,000 mils

make

pound.

piaster (2 cents).

(10

(8

cents).

SHIL-lin

ta'-REE-jaj mils (Palestine),


also called mis 'irsh, half a
'irshpiaster

ir-SHAYNx piasters

shilling

(5

(20 cents).

LEE-ra.

WA-ra-'a

piasters)

p u tin d

($4.02).
mils,/

(4

cents;.

57

Syria ano

nus

'irsh

%
'irsh

SB

l(h<imi

cent).

( Vi

'n-ROOSH

10 piasters

'irsh

25

50
pound

(46

ti-'ish-REEN

piasters

franc (5 piasters, equals

cents).

A-shar
(5

half a piaster equals

piaster

franks

'

cent,

NOTES

Lebanon

I^ham-SEEN

1 1

cents)
'irsh

(23 cents).
LEE-ra, WA-ra-'a

piasters

cents).

cents).

5S

NOTES

OTES

NOTES

G2

NOTES

63

NOTES

G2

NOTES

63

creetings

to syria and Lebanon


FROM AMERICA
WE HAVE COME FROM THE NEWEST LAND
OF THE WEST TO THE OLDEST LAND
OF THE EAST

Translation

f eOVCHMIlCHT PRINTING OFFICt

ml

M'l

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