Blog
Arabic Launch
I go straight from Russian to Arabic lessons.
As I mentioned previously, I am in our nation’s capital teaching two days of writing and grammar classes for a client here. Today also happens to be Day 1 of Arabic, and it began auspiciously, with a fabulous 3-mile…
Written Arabic: Challenging? Yes. Impossible? No.
Arabic looks nearly impossible, but it's not.
One thing I did not know about Arabic before starting this project, that I feel I should have known, is that vowels are not written. Oh my god! Instead, you have long strings of consonants. If vowels are indicated, which…
So Many Books, So Little Time
I visit Dahesh Heritage bookstore near the Time Warner Center.
Today I googled “Arabic bookstore nyc” and discovered the Dahesh Heritage bookstore, on 57th and Broadway, just three-fourths of a mile from me. (I love this city.) I promptly made my way there. The store is on the fifth floor…
Language Phobias and Cultural Hostility
Interest in Arabic may have grown, but some people still wouldn't consider studying it.
Today I decided to give running with Dr. Pimsleur one more try. It went surprisingly well—way better than before. In fact, I did Pimsleur without pause for the whole six-mile loop of Central Park. (Since Dr. Pimsleur is now…
Arabic Writing Challenges
On learning to write in Arabic.
This morning I was happily working my way through the Nicholas Awde alphabet book, with Arabic TV on in the background, when I found my educational goals thwarted. The Arabic programming had just been replaced with an infomercial, tragically in…
Russian Nostalgia
I grieve my fading Russian while puzzling over Arabic.
I did two Pimsleur Arabic lessons on my run this morning. In addition, Brandt set me up in the office with a headset extension cord, so I can now take Pimsleur into every corner of the office, including the bathroom,…
Labor Day Language Laments
I labor on Labor Day, and not all goes smoothly.
Labor Day! And I did indeed labor today. And some degree of irritation was involved, I’m afraid. I woke up and got right to work on that Alif Baa book, which I have to say I am not feeling…
Bay Ridge Field Trip
I take quizzes and a field trip.
I had so much fun today. It was back-to-school day (i.e., the day after Labor Day). I took that literally and did a lot of studying, plus other useful stuff. The words for “husband” and “wife” are very interesting.…
Miscellaneous Musings: Dialect, Memory, and Swingers
I take trips to the bookstore, Central Park, and the garbage chute.
All day today I thought it was Thursday. I was so happy when I realized it wasn’t. Discovering that it was only Wednesday was kind of like finding a big pile of money on the ground. I am having…
A Day with Alif Baa
I study my alphabet book. And like it.
I woke up at 6:40 this morning with Brandt’s alarm; he is teaching in New Jersey today. I never went back to sleep, just lay there thinking about Arabic and various Arabic phrases, until I finally got up at 8:00. I…