Opening a bank account in a new language can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it can be a smooth process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to open a bank account using Levantine Arabic phrases and vocabulary.
Phonetic Script:
Badak tefta7 7seb bil bank b lebnen? Eh akid estez fik tefta7 7seb ma3na! Ma3ak passport aw el-haweyeh? Aw aya shi bi2arje esmak el-kemel w tereakh miledak? Tamem! 3omrak fo2 el-tmanta3shar sene? 3azim! Iza bitred 3abe hayda talab, badna ra2em telephonak el-shakhse, 3inwenak, jinsak, w jinsetak. W Aya no3 7sen yale 7abeb tefta7u ma3na? Badak tefta7o bil dollar aw lebnene? Ah ma3ak fresh dollars? Eh akid estez ya ahla w sahla. Bit7eb teshrab ahweh 3aseer? Bus baynetna ma binsa7 7ada hal2 yefta7 7seb, ra7 yekhtefu!
Arabic script:
بدك تفتح حساب بالبنك بلبنان? اي اكيد استاذ فيك تفتح حساب معنا! معك الباسبور او الهويه ? او اي شيء بأرجي اسمك الكامل وتاريخ ميلادك? تمام! عمرك فوق ل 18 سنه? عظيم! اذا بتريد عبي هيدا الطلب, بدنا رقم تلفونك الشخصي, عنوانك, جنسك, وجنسيتك. واي نوع حساب يلي حابب تفتحه معنا. بدك تفتحه بالدولار أو باللبناني؟ اه معك فرَش دولارز؟ هه، أكيد أستاذ يا اهلا وسهلا. بتحب تشرب قهوة عصير؟ بس بيناتنا ما بنصح حدا هلّأ يفتح حساب، رح يختفوا!
English Translation:
Do you want to open a bank account in Lebanon? Yes sure sir, you can open an account with us! Do you have a passport or ID? Or anything that indicates your full name and date of birth? Perfect! You’re above 18? Great! Please fill out this form, we need your personal phone number, your address, gender, and nationality. Which type of account would you like to open with us? Do you want to open it in Lira or dollars? Oh you have fresh dollars? Of course sir hello and welcome. Would you like to drink coffee, juice? But between us I don’t recommend anyone to open an account, they will disappear!
The table below has all the useful vocabulary that you may need to open an account in Levantine Arabic. All of these were used in the above script.
English
Phonetic
Arabic
Account
7sab
حساب
Passport
Passpor
(we pronounce it without the t)
الباسبور
ID
Haweyeh
الهويه
Full name
Esmal el-kemel
اسمك الكامل
Date of Birth
Tareak miledak
تاريخ ميلادك
Age
3omor
عمر
Form or request
Talab
طلب
Personal number
Talephon el-shakhse
تلفون الشخصي
Address
3inwen
عنوان
Gender
Jinse
جنس
Nationality
جنسيه
Make sure to have fresh dollars if you want to open a bank account in Lebanon 🙂
Learning Levantine Arabic language through mnemonics, listening, and the scriptorium method can be highly effective due to the following reasons:
Mnemonics:
Mnemonics are memory aids or strategies that help students remember information more easily by associating it with something more familiar, often through visualization, rhyme, acronym, or a combination of these. The key idea behind mnemonics is to create a strong mental association between the new information and something already known, making the new information easier to recall.
Memory Aid: Mnemonics help in creating associations that make it easier to recall vocabulary and grammar rules. By using familiar concepts or visual imagery, learners can more easily remember new words and structures.
Engagement: Creating and using mnemonics can be fun and engaging, making the learning process more enjoyable and less monotonous.
Retention: Mnemonics are designed to enhance long-term retention of information, which is crucial for language learning where continuous recall is necessary.
Every Monday we post on our Instagram stories words using mnemonics. My favorite examples are:
Word in Arabic is: Kilmeh, to memorize I create a rhyme, when you forget a word you Kilmeh (kill me).
Listening
Developing active listening skills improves focus and concentration, essential for understanding and responding appropriately in conversations.
Natural Acquisition: Listening mirrors how we naturally acquire our first language. By exposing learners to the language in context, they can pick up pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm more organically.
Comprehension Skills: Regular listening practice improves comprehension skills, helping learners understand spoken language in various contexts and accents.
Pronunciation: Listening helps learners develop proper pronunciation and intonation patterns by mimicking native speakers.
Contextual Learning: Listening to conversations, stories, and dialogues provides contextual learning, making it easier to understand how words and phrases are used in real-life situations.
The Scriptorium method is a language learning technique that involves a multi-sensory approach to reinforce learning through writing, speaking, and listening. It was popularized by language educator Alexander Arguelles. The method aims to integrate different aspects of language practice, making it more comprehensive and effective.
Active Learning: The scriptorium method involves writing down sentences while simultaneously speaking and listening to them. This multi-sensory approach reinforces learning through active engagement.
Reinforcement: Writing and speaking sentences reinforces grammatical structures and vocabulary, helping to solidify them in memory.
Focus on Form: This method allows learners to focus on the correct form of words and sentences, reducing errors and improving accuracy over time.
Productive Skills: By writing and speaking, learners practice productive skills, which are crucial for language proficiency.
We started posting weekly short reels on our Instagram page. These reels are short stories and we also provide the script! You can pick one line or phrase from these stories and write it three times. With this method you are practicing listening, writing, and reading aloud. Try watching this video and follow scriptorium three steps!
Combined Benefits
Holistic Learning: Combining mnemonics, listening, and the scriptorium method provides a comprehensive approach to language learning, engaging different cognitive processes and learning styles.
Repetition and Reinforcement: These methods ensure repeated exposure and practice, which are essential for mastering a new language.
Motivation and Confidence: The engaging nature of mnemonics, the natural approach of listening, and the active participation required in the scriptorium method can boost motivation and confidence in learners.
Using these techniques together can create a rich, immersive language learning experience in Levantine Arabic that caters to various aspects of language acquisition, making the process more efficient and enjoyable.
Eid al-Fitr, known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The celebration begins with the special Eid prayer, followed by festive meals, the giving of gifts, and acts of charity. Traditional foods and sweets, new clothes, and vibrant decorations are all part of the joyous occasion.
Greeting each other with heartfelt wishes is an essential part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Here are four different ways to greet someone in Arabic on this special day:
Arabic/عربي
Phonetics
English Translation
عيد مبارك
Eid Mubarak
Have a blessed Eid
ينعاد عليكم بالصحة والسالمة
Yen3ad 3alaikoun bil saha w el saleme
May the next Eid find you in [good] health and wellness
كل عام وأنت بخير
Kil 3am w enta/e bikheir
I wish you goodness every year
عيد فطر سعيد
Eid fitr saeed
Happy Eid al-Fitr
The festive spirit of Eid al-Fitr is deeply intertwined with the cultural practices and expressions of goodwill shared among loved ones. Each greeting carries its own unique sentiment, reflecting the warmth and joy of the occasion.
“Eid Mubarak” (مبارك عيد) is widely used across different cultures and communities, embodying the core spirit of the celebration.
“Yen3ad 3alaikoun bil saha w el saleme” (ينعاد عليكم بالصحة والسالمة) highlights the importance of health and happiness as part of the Eid festivities.
“Kil 3am w enta/e bikheir” (كل عام وأنت بخير) This phrase underscores the ongoing nature of well-wishing and the continuity of good intentions.
“Eid fitr saeed” (عيد فطر سعيد) captures the essence of the celebration and the collective happiness shared by all.
Each of these greetings serves as a way to connect with others, share in the joy of the occasion, and reaffirm bonds of friendship and family. They are an integral part of the Eid experience, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere and reinforcing the values of unity and gratitude. Eid al-Fitr is a time of profound significance, marking the end of a spiritual journey and the beginning of new celebrations. Whether through the universal “Eid Mubarak” or the personalized wishes for health and prosperity, these phrases encapsulate the spirit of Eid and foster a sense of community and belonging.
