This is part eight in the series “Arabs Say…” featuring Arabic speakers from around the Arab world who gives their views on their language and how it is used today. Of course, we should keep in mind that these are personal views and do not represent the views of everyone in their countries. Still, we can learn a lot about the overall linguistic situation and some commonalities and regional differences.
The easiest dialects for me to understand would, of course, be Maghrebi Arabic. The dialects are similar, just a few differences. Egyptian I understand very well since I used to watch Egyptian movies with my family when I was younger. For the others mentioned above, I think I can understand most of what they say; maybe I won't understand a few words here and there, but I don't think it'll affect the meaning of what they say.
I'm not entirely sure which one is the most difficult for me. I can understand them equally since there are a lot of similarities, and all of them are from MSA origin. Therefore, I don't know which one to choose as the most difficult for me.
I'm not entirely sure which one is the most difficult for me. I can understand them equally since there are a lot of similarities, and all of them are from MSA origin. Therefore, I don't know which one to choose as the most difficult for me.
The easiest dialects for me to understand would, of course, be Maghrebi Arabic. The dialects are similar, just a few differences. Egyptian I understand very well since I used to watch Egyptian movies with my family when I was younger. For the others mentioned above, I think I can understand most of what they say; maybe I won't understand a few words here and there, but I don't think it'll affect the meaning of what they say.
I'm not entirely sure which one is the most difficult for me. I can understand them equally since there are a lot of similarities, and all of them are from MSA origin. Therefore, I don't know which one to choose as the most difficult for me.
I'm not entirely sure which one is the most difficult for me. I can understand them equally since there are a lot of similarities, and all of them are from MSA origin. Therefore, I don't know which one to choose as the most difficult for me.
The easiest dialect I can understand is Algerian because of the cultural relationship that we have. We both were colonized by the French and Ottoman empires, and this gives us a similar vocabulary and some similarities in pronunciation.
The most difficult dialects for me are the Omani and Yemeni dialects.I don't understand 80% of their speech, and this is because we have different cultures, and we don't have the same history, and their dialects are quite different. Honestly, I don't know why I can't understand. I think it's because of my lack of historical knowledge about these countries.
The most difficult dialects for me are the Omani and Yemeni dialects.I don't understand 80% of their speech, and this is because we have different cultures, and we don't have the same history, and their dialects are quite different. Honestly, I don't know why I can't understand. I think it's because of my lack of historical knowledge about these countries.
The easiest dialect I can understand is Algerian because of the cultural relationship that we have. We both were colonized by the French and Ottoman empires, and this gives us a similar vocabulary and some similarities in pronunciation.
The most difficult dialects for me are the Omani and Yemeni dialects.I don't understand 80% of their speech, and this is because we have different cultures, and we don't have the same history, and their dialects are quite different. Honestly, I don't know why I can't understand. I think it's because of my lack of historical knowledge about these countries.
The most difficult dialects for me are the Omani and Yemeni dialects.I don't understand 80% of their speech, and this is because we have different cultures, and we don't have the same history, and their dialects are quite different. Honestly, I don't know why I can't understand. I think it's because of my lack of historical knowledge about these countries.
The easiest are the Egyptian dialect, Saudi dialect, at times, the dialects of other nationalities from the Middle East–the Syrian dialect, Kuwaiti dialect, Yemeni dialect, Jordanian dialect, Lebanese dialect and a little bit of the Moroccan dialect.
Some of the difficult dialects for me to understand are the Tunisian dialect and Algerian dialect, perhaps because their dialects stem from the French language and their own language which I don’t understand very well.
Some of the difficult dialects for me to understand are the Tunisian dialect and Algerian dialect, perhaps because their dialects stem from the French language and their own language which I don’t understand very well.
The easiest are the Egyptian dialect, Saudi dialect, at times, the dialects of other nationalities from the Middle East–the Syrian dialect, Kuwaiti dialect, Yemeni dialect, Jordanian dialect, Lebanese dialect and a little bit of the Moroccan dialect.
Some of the difficult dialects for me to understand are the Tunisian dialect and Algerian dialect, perhaps because their dialects stem from the French language and their own language which I don’t understand very well.
Some of the difficult dialects for me to understand are the Tunisian dialect and Algerian dialect, perhaps because their dialects stem from the French language and their own language which I don’t understand very well.
Levantine Arabic and Gulf Arabic are the easiest because they are a little clearer and closer to the Egyptian dialect. Only a some words are different, but they are easily understood. For example, "ليه" in Egyptian Arabic "ليش" in Levantine Arabic. It is "لماذا" in MSA and "why" in English. They are very close to each other. Only one letter is different. However, other dialects like, Moroccan or Algerian are totally different.
The hardest are Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian because they mix French and Arabic. They have some words that are totally different from MSA. For example, Moroccans say "الزنجلان" which is "سمسم" in MSA and Egyptian. It means "sesame" in English.
The hardest are Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian because they mix French and Arabic. They have some words that are totally different from MSA. For example, Moroccans say "الزنجلان" which is "سمسم" in MSA and Egyptian. It means "sesame" in English.
Levantine Arabic and Gulf Arabic are the easiest because they are a little clearer and closer to the Egyptian dialect. Only a some words are different, but they are easily understood. For example, "ليه" in Egyptian Arabic "ليش" in Levantine Arabic. It is "لماذا" in MSA and "why" in English. They are very close to each other. Only one letter is different. However, other dialects like, Moroccan or Algerian are totally different.
The hardest are Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian because they mix French and Arabic. They have some words that are totally different from MSA. For example, Moroccans say "الزنجلان" which is "سمسم" in MSA and Egyptian. It means "sesame" in English.
The hardest are Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian because they mix French and Arabic. They have some words that are totally different from MSA. For example, Moroccans say "الزنجلان" which is "سمسم" in MSA and Egyptian. It means "sesame" in English.
Saudi and Levantine Arabic, then Gulf Arabic. I think they are the easiest since, like us, they use MSA words with some other invented words which describe their culture, but most are the same as MSA words and the Levantine Arabic because we meet a lot of them daily in the street and watch their series.
Of course, without doubt, Maghrebi Arabic is the hardest. Their dialect is totally different from MSA because their way of pronouncing words is totally different and a little difficult, and also because they are using a lot of French words in their conversation. And sometimes, they invent some hybrid words that are not Arabic or French words but something in between. I guess the whole Arabic world agrees on these points, even the Maghrebis themselves.
Of course, without doubt, Maghrebi Arabic is the hardest. Their dialect is totally different from MSA because their way of pronouncing words is totally different and a little difficult, and also because they are using a lot of French words in their conversation. And sometimes, they invent some hybrid words that are not Arabic or French words but something in between. I guess the whole Arabic world agrees on these points, even the Maghrebis themselves.
Saudi and Levantine Arabic, then Gulf Arabic. I think they are the easiest since, like us, they use MSA words with some other invented words which describe their culture, but most are the same as MSA words and the Levantine Arabic because we meet a lot of them daily in the street and watch their series.
Of course, without doubt, Maghrebi Arabic is the hardest. Their dialect is totally different from MSA because their way of pronouncing words is totally different and a little difficult, and also because they are using a lot of French words in their conversation. And sometimes, they invent some hybrid words that are not Arabic or French words but something in between. I guess the whole Arabic world agrees on these points, even the Maghrebis themselves.
Of course, without doubt, Maghrebi Arabic is the hardest. Their dialect is totally different from MSA because their way of pronouncing words is totally different and a little difficult, and also because they are using a lot of French words in their conversation. And sometimes, they invent some hybrid words that are not Arabic or French words but something in between. I guess the whole Arabic world agrees on these points, even the Maghrebis themselves.
The easiest dialects are the closest to my Palestinian dialect, namely Levantine dialects, such as Jordanian, Syrian, Lebanese, and Iraqi. I can understand Gulf Arabic also, such as Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Emirati, and Bahraini.
I think that the most difficult dialects are Maghrebi Arabic–Moroccan, Tunisian, and Algerian Arabic. This could be due to the foreign languages which interfered in these dialects, such as French and Italian.
I think that the most difficult dialects are Maghrebi Arabic–Moroccan, Tunisian, and Algerian Arabic. This could be due to the foreign languages which interfered in these dialects, such as French and Italian.
The easiest dialects are the closest to my Palestinian dialect, namely Levantine dialects, such as Jordanian, Syrian, Lebanese, and Iraqi. I can understand Gulf Arabic also, such as Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Emirati, and Bahraini.
I think that the most difficult dialects are Maghrebi Arabic–Moroccan, Tunisian, and Algerian Arabic. This could be due to the foreign languages which interfered in these dialects, such as French and Italian.
I think that the most difficult dialects are Maghrebi Arabic–Moroccan, Tunisian, and Algerian Arabic. This could be due to the foreign languages which interfered in these dialects, such as French and Italian.
The dialects that are the easiest for me to understand are the dialects that have something in common with our dialects. For example I find it easy to understand Egyptian , Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and the GCC countries' dialects.
The dialects that are really hard for me to understand are the dialects that use some French words in the middle of their sentences; I find it very hard to understand Libyan and Algerian dialects, for example.
The dialects that are really hard for me to understand are the dialects that use some French words in the middle of their sentences; I find it very hard to understand Libyan and Algerian dialects, for example.
The dialects that are the easiest for me to understand are the dialects that have something in common with our dialects. For example I find it easy to understand Egyptian , Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and the GCC countries' dialects.
The dialects that are really hard for me to understand are the dialects that use some French words in the middle of their sentences; I find it very hard to understand Libyan and Algerian dialects, for example.
The dialects that are really hard for me to understand are the dialects that use some French words in the middle of their sentences; I find it very hard to understand Libyan and Algerian dialects, for example.
Egyptian mainly because I have watched since childhood a lot of old black and white Egyptian movies. (Cinema is very developed in Egypt.) Palestinian, Jordanian and Syrian because they are under the Levantine Arabic umbrella just like Lebanese. And Saudi because it is close to MSA and I lived there for many years.
The most difficult dialect for me to understand is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian). I find that they speak fast and don't really have the time to process what is been said. Iraqi, too, because they use special terms.
The most difficult dialect for me to understand is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian). I find that they speak fast and don't really have the time to process what is been said. Iraqi, too, because they use special terms.
Egyptian mainly because I have watched since childhood a lot of old black and white Egyptian movies. (Cinema is very developed in Egypt.) Palestinian, Jordanian and Syrian because they are under the Levantine Arabic umbrella just like Lebanese. And Saudi because it is close to MSA and I lived there for many years.
The most difficult dialect for me to understand is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian). I find that they speak fast and don't really have the time to process what is been said. Iraqi, too, because they use special terms.
The most difficult dialect for me to understand is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian). I find that they speak fast and don't really have the time to process what is been said. Iraqi, too, because they use special terms.
The dialects of the countries near my country. I mean Palestinian, Jordanian, Lebanese and Egyptian. There are a lot of common words in our dialects, as we have a common history, and our country was one state in the past.
The most difficult dialect for me is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian/Libyan) because their way or method in speaking is so different from ours. They even use a different way in writing. Moreover, they use French a lot in speaking and writing.
The most difficult dialect for me is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian/Libyan) because their way or method in speaking is so different from ours. They even use a different way in writing. Moreover, they use French a lot in speaking and writing.
The dialects of the countries near my country. I mean Palestinian, Jordanian, Lebanese and Egyptian. There are a lot of common words in our dialects, as we have a common history, and our country was one state in the past.
The most difficult dialect for me is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian/Libyan) because their way or method in speaking is so different from ours. They even use a different way in writing. Moreover, they use French a lot in speaking and writing.
The most difficult dialect for me is Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan/Algerian/Tunisian/Libyan) because their way or method in speaking is so different from ours. They even use a different way in writing. Moreover, they use French a lot in speaking and writing.
The easiest dialects are those of the countries of the Gulf area since we practically share a very similar culture. The dialects of the countries of the Levant, such as Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Also, the Egyptian one since it is very well-known because of the cinema.
All the dialects of the countries of Maghrebi Arabic are the most difficult to understand. We're nearly completely separated culturally and have no connection between us. The invasion of Western countries to these countries has made this lack of communication between us and them, and that led, somehow, to this difficulty in understanding their dialects.
All the dialects of the countries of Maghrebi Arabic are the most difficult to understand. We're nearly completely separated culturally and have no connection between us. The invasion of Western countries to these countries has made this lack of communication between us and them, and that led, somehow, to this difficulty in understanding their dialects.
The easiest dialects are those of the countries of the Gulf area since we practically share a very similar culture. The dialects of the countries of the Levant, such as Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Also, the Egyptian one since it is very well-known because of the cinema.
All the dialects of the countries of Maghrebi Arabic are the most difficult to understand. We're nearly completely separated culturally and have no connection between us. The invasion of Western countries to these countries has made this lack of communication between us and them, and that led, somehow, to this difficulty in understanding their dialects.
All the dialects of the countries of Maghrebi Arabic are the most difficult to understand. We're nearly completely separated culturally and have no connection between us. The invasion of Western countries to these countries has made this lack of communication between us and them, and that led, somehow, to this difficulty in understanding their dialects.
I think the easiest for me as a Saudi from the eastern province are the Saudi dialect, Gulf Arabic, Yemeni, Omani, Levantine Arabic, Egyptian, Iraqi, Sudanese, and Maghrebi Arabic.I rank them from the easiest to the hardest "
Maghrebi Arabic is definitely the hardest because their Arabic is mixed with different languages like French, Spanish, and Portuguese. That's why people who speak Maghrebi Arabic try to speak MSA when they speak to us because they know it is hard for us to understand them
Maghrebi Arabic is definitely the hardest because their Arabic is mixed with different languages like French, Spanish, and Portuguese. That's why people who speak Maghrebi Arabic try to speak MSA when they speak to us because they know it is hard for us to understand them
I think the easiest for me as a Saudi from the eastern province are the Saudi dialect, Gulf Arabic, Yemeni, Omani, Levantine Arabic, Egyptian, Iraqi, Sudanese, and Maghrebi Arabic.I rank them from the easiest to the hardest "
Maghrebi Arabic is definitely the hardest because their Arabic is mixed with different languages like French, Spanish, and Portuguese. That's why people who speak Maghrebi Arabic try to speak MSA when they speak to us because they know it is hard for us to understand them
Maghrebi Arabic is definitely the hardest because their Arabic is mixed with different languages like French, Spanish, and Portuguese. That's why people who speak Maghrebi Arabic try to speak MSA when they speak to us because they know it is hard for us to understand them
The easiest dialects to understand is obviously Omani! Then Levantine Arabic because I grew up watching their shows and listening to their music. Then comes Gulf Arabic. Although I live in the Arabian Gulf, I find it hard to understand some of their words. Lastly, Egyptian because most of my dad’s side of the family, including himself, studied in Egypt, so I learned some of the dialect.
The most difficult? That would be Algerian and Tunisian, which I might have zero knowledge of how they talk because they talk really fast and there's a lot of French vocabulary. And then comes Moroccan; I don't know much, but I listen to their more simplified Arabic songs and two of my aunts are Moroccan, so I try to learn.
The most difficult? That would be Algerian and Tunisian, which I might have zero knowledge of how they talk because they talk really fast and there's a lot of French vocabulary. And then comes Moroccan; I don't know much, but I listen to their more simplified Arabic songs and two of my aunts are Moroccan, so I try to learn.
The easiest dialects to understand is obviously Omani! Then Levantine Arabic because I grew up watching their shows and listening to their music. Then comes Gulf Arabic. Although I live in the Arabian Gulf, I find it hard to understand some of their words. Lastly, Egyptian because most of my dad’s side of the family, including himself, studied in Egypt, so I learned some of the dialect.
The most difficult? That would be Algerian and Tunisian, which I might have zero knowledge of how they talk because they talk really fast and there's a lot of French vocabulary. And then comes Moroccan; I don't know much, but I listen to their more simplified Arabic songs and two of my aunts are Moroccan, so I try to learn.
The most difficult? That would be Algerian and Tunisian, which I might have zero knowledge of how they talk because they talk really fast and there's a lot of French vocabulary. And then comes Moroccan; I don't know much, but I listen to their more simplified Arabic songs and two of my aunts are Moroccan, so I try to learn.
Arab speakers find Levantine, Gulf, and Egyptian Arabic dialects easiest to understand due to cultural similarities, frequent media exposure, and shared vocabulary. Levantine dialects (Jordanian, Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian) and Gulf dialects (Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Emirati, Bahraini) are closely related, making them more comprehensible. Egyptian Arabic is also widely understood because of its prevalence in cinema and television. Conversely, Maghrebi Arabic (Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian) is considered the most difficult due to its fast speech, incorporation of French and other foreign words, and significant pronunciation differences. These factors create a linguistic barrier for speakers from other Arabic regions.
Algerian Arabic is for me the easiest since I have learned that from my family than tunisian and marrocan arabic should be easy for me to understand. But the other arabic I don’t understand at all.
I only understand my neighbour countries.
So it makes more sense that egyptian arabic is the easiest to understand and the levantine arabic by what I read that some of these countries used to be one state in the past.
And Egypt is closer to other arabic speaking countries so its easier for the most and also with their TV shows.