While frequenting one of my favorite used book stores in Raleigh, the Reader’s Corner, I stumbled upon a vintage travel phrase book in Arabic. I didn’t buy it for the phrases, really (although there are some good sentences in there) but to see perspectives on travel in the Middle East during the 1970s. It’s like a time capsule. I love vintage, and I love Arabic. Anyway, this isn’t the exact picture from the book (there are many editions) but it’s pretty close.
Here are some of the more interesting phrases I’ve found in the book.
طلبت غرفة بحمام talabat ghorfa bihamam!
:I asked for a room with a bath.
أريد أقراص مهدئة ureed aqras mohadi’a
:I want some tranquilizers.
كم قيراط؟ kam qirat?
:How many carats is this?
أين أقرب ملعب جولف؟ Ayna aqrab mal’ab jolf?
:Where is the nearest golf course?
هذا ليس غسيلي Hatha lesya ghasili.
This isn’t my laundry.
