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Question
I would like to learn to speak arabic, so I can converse with Muslims who
know little English. Also, I hope to visit the Middle East and make friends. But
here is the problem - I want to learn to speak Syrian arabic, but can't find
much online. I heard Egyptian dialect sounds great to some, but funny and
weird to others. Do you have any ideas how I can learn Syrian arabic? Is it true
that Syrian arabic is one of the coolest sounding dialects for arabic?
Greetings Timon, and thanks for your question. It's true that Syrian is a pretty dialect, but yes, it will be hard to find resources outside of getting a Syrian person to be your teacher, or actually going to Syria for study (for example, getting a Fulbright or Rotary scholarship to do so).
Egyptian can sound kinda funny, but everyone recognizes it because so much TV and music comes from Egypt. Otherwise, I'd highly recommend the Rosetta Stone series, or choosing an Arabic language program somewhere in the Middle East in order to learn. Lebanon, Jordan, and the West Bank (Palestine) are all good, affordable places to look for programs. A Lonely Planet guide will give you the best tips how to find these.
I hope this helps! Good luck to you!
peace,
Le Anne
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Answers by Expert:
Le Anne Clausen
Expertise
I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.
Experience
I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East
Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004.
www.christian-muslim.net
www.seminaryaction.org
www.young-activist.blogspot.com
Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.
Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).
Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations
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