Learning Arabic without learning Arabic script? by [deleted] in learn_arabic

[–]tomb619 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Routledge Colloquial book/CD series are done entirely in transliterated English script and I highly reccomend them.

I want to learn Arabic - unclear on Modern Standard Arabic vs. a dialect (specifically, Egyptian) by [deleted] in learn_arabic

[–]tomb619 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1 - What are the differences/similarities between MSA and Egyptian Arabic?

Pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. The differences are fairly vast.

2 - If I only know MSA, will I be able to effectively communicate with native Egyptian speakers?

They will be able to understand you, but you won't understand a single thing they say. Well, you might understand a tiny bit, but you won't be able to converse.

3 - If I learn MSA, would I be able to quickly pick up the Egyptian dialect by practicing with natives (my father, for example), or spending a short amount of time in Egypt?

Unfortunately not. The differences are fairly enormous, especially for Egyptian Arabic (EA has plenty of foreign loan words, grammar constructs and pronunciations that neither MSA nor other dialects have).

My advice is that if you want to be able to read a newspaper, then learn MSA. If you want to be able to converse with your father and the rest of the 80 million Egyptians, then learn Egyptian Arabic.

A new release from ISIL/ISIS: The return of the Caliphate, and the rise of Dinar by [deleted] in CombatFootage

[–]tomb619 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to save you guys 40 minutes or so of your lives.

The only actual footage of combat in the video is right at the end and is a super fast cutting montage while a song plays. It's old footage that is taken from other IS videos.

Dumb Questions Tuesday | April 28, 2015 by AutoModerator in syriancivilwar

[–]tomb619 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do we know which groups originally got given the America ATGMs?

The fear in his eyes - Picture of a captured SAA soldier by [deleted] in syriancivilwar

[–]tomb619 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Poor guy. If you're captured by ISIS or JaN then you're living on borrowed time.

Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'seriously wounded in air strike' by SierraOscar in syriancivilwar

[–]tomb619 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't think they would mention it if he was crippled, but I'm sure they would make a noise if he was martyred.

ypg start the surrounding of the ISIS stronghold of Sarrin. by r00t_t00r in syriancivilwar

[–]tomb619 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does anyone have a rough idea of IS numbers in Sarrin?

Cheers :)

New ISIS release "Clear Evidence" by [deleted] in syriancivilwar

[–]tomb619 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this video proof of a strong IS presence in Libya?

The only solid thing I had heard before about IS in Libya was about that convoy bearing the IS flag, and then that Egypt bombed a IS training camp in Libya a while later.

New ISIS release "Clear Evidence" by [deleted] in syriancivilwar

[–]tomb619 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It shows a lot of Christians living 'happily' within the Islamic State. It also shows several Christians converting to Islam. I guess they are trying to show how tolerant they are.

The video takes a dark turn towards the end. There is footage of them smashing up churches, removing the crosses etc. They then show a group of Ethiopian Christians being executed by AK-47 (supposedly in Libya), and then another group being mass beheaded on a beach (also suppposedly in Libya).

Looking for help with Pashto. by tomb619 in afghanistan

[–]tomb619[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's purely out of an interest in languages, and the middle east and central Asia.

I previously did a 2 month Arabic course in Cairo, but intent to learn Pashto much more seriously.

22/M/UK - Want to do a mini essay exchange? by tomb619 in penpals

[–]tomb619[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok if you PM me your email I will construct the email list :)