Arabic

[cjsmith]

I've just started learning Egyptian Arabic from a set of Pimsleur tapes. This is so cool! I'm having a great time!

I like it when Rob's out of the house, so I can respond aloud to the tape without feeling self-conscious about it. This time, Kim walked in while I was in the middle of the lesson. The tape had just asked me something, so she wondered if I was greeting her when I said "Kwayyissa awi, shokran." (Very well, thank you.) :-)

I love trying to guess at elements of grammar and syntax from a small sample of dialogue. I am having fun trying to figure out negation, and so far I'm at a loss for when exactly things are gender-specific and when they're not.

So far, I can say these things:
excuse me
miss, mister, ma'am
yes
no
thank you
a little
I understand
I don't understand
you understand (said-to-female and said-to-male versions)
English, Arabic (the languages)
American (I am, you are)
very well
not very well
how are you? (to-female and to-male versions)
I am well (said-by-female and said-by-male versions)
good morning
light morning (another version of good morning)

I can't write any of it. I think I'm not supposed to start writing until lesson twenty-eight or so. Heh. Too bad; I have another book for that.

Wheee!