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Written by Justin
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One of the most interesting characteristics of Tunisia you'll find is the language landscape, especially to Americans or Westerners from a country with one dominant language. Tunisia's extensive history of domination by world kingdoms has left it impacted by all of them, but mostly by the Arab nation and it's powerful ability to acculturate the peoples it dominated. All Tunisians learn Standard Arabic and French, the primary languages of government, news and literary sources, but what do they speak mostcomfortably?
One of the most interesting characteristics of Tunisia you'll find is the language landscape, especially to Americans or Westerners from a country with one dominant language. Tunisia's extensive history of domination by world kingdoms has left it impacted by all of them, but mostly by the Arab nation and it's powerful ability to acculturate the peoples it dominated. All Tunisians learn Standard Arabic and French, the primary languages of government, news and literary sources, but what do they speak mostcomfortably?
They speak a dialect of Arabic called Derja, sometimes spelled Darija, which is not recognized as an official language by the government. Even though Arabic and French are officially taught in the schools, Tunisians function much more in their 'street' language, During the past 100 years, Derja has become a mixture of it's original words, many Arabic words, and several French words. As a new arrival to Tunisia you will find quick friends and friendly responses from the local people if you choose to study and use Derja because a foreigner who studies the language of the street is a welcome anomaly to the typical foreigner who at most speaks French. Most language programs and private teachers also teach their students to write Derja using an adapted Arabic script, but the Tunisians learn their reading and writing only in Arabic and French. This explains the occasional comment from a taxi driver who tells you that Derja cannot be written, only spoken! |
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Learn a Tunisian proverb
You should work in silence, and silence should not be your work
Arabic:
يجب ان تعمل في صمت ولا يجب ان يكون الصمت عملك
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