Should I try to learn Arabic before I arrive? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Should I try to learn Arabic before I arrive?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 May 2014 - 01:03

Hi Everyone. I'm planning to relocate my family to Doha this September to accept a position at HMC. I thought that it might be nice to learn some Arabic before I arrive but I've heard that if I can't find instruction is Qatari Arabic that it's not worth my time to learn because no one will be able to understand me anyway. Is this true? Would you recommend learning "generic Arabic" before moving?

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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 May 2014 - 22:18
not necessary, but appreciated and worthwhile if you're able to learn some.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 May 2014 - 13:46
'....if I can't find instruction in Qatari Arabic that it's not worth my time to learn...' Ah, and it would be a non-Arabic speaker who told you that :-) Here, if you look 'foreign' nobody will expect you to be able to speak Arabic. However, if you have some general Arabic greetings and show that you're willing to make an effort it will be very much appreciated. The best advice I was ever given was many years ago from a Kuwaiti colleague when I had very mixed-up spoken Arabic. She said 'Just pick one accent and stick to it'. Since then I've focused on speaking Arabic with an Egyptian accent and I've never had any trouble at all here mostly thanks to the widespread consumption of Egyptian films and music.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 01 May 2014 - 07:38
While it's a really nice gesture, it probably won't be much practical help. English is widely spoken, and is the main language in most service industries. Spoken Arabic does vary by dialect (in terminology and accents) but some basic knowledge of either classical or modern standard Arabic would generally be understood. There are more Arabic speakers here from other Arab countries that there are Qataris, sothe Qatari dialect isn't crucial. But in general, you can get by extremely easily without knowimg Arabic.