Nadine

Hello all,

I'm addressing this question to Asminha (as I read somewhere on this forum that she speaks Berber language) : Is Berber language written in arabic alphabet ?
From the information I have, Berber language is not at all linked to arabic language (?)

And a second question : what does "mamash ghanag anari" mean ? It 's a song of Khalid Izri.

Thanks in advance,
Nadine

Asminha

Hi Nadine :-)

Yes, I do speak Berber, which is not at all linked to Arabic at any way! The proof comes just from comparing words in Berber with their equivalents in Arabic.

As for writing it, usually Arabic script is used, that's the classical way of doing it, but there is an alphabet called "Tifinagh" (Which I honeslty don't write, nor can understand) that is used for writing Berber.
-I can tell you more about that if you wish-

For the title that you mentiened, is it Algerian? If it's the case, then I guessed right and the title is in "kabyle", which is Berber spoken in North Algeria, and that is very different than our Berber..So, I can't help with it!

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Speak Moroccan - Parlez marocain
Moroccan Vocabulary - Vocabulaire Marocain

Asminha

Hi again,
I just checked and figured out that he is Moroccan :D
Honestly, I couldn't get that title, may be you spelt it in a wrong way!!

I just asked mom about him, and she doesn't know him either, nor can tell me about the song!! If you can send me the song, that will be much better :-)

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Speak Moroccan - Parlez marocain
Moroccan Vocabulary - Vocabulaire Marocain

Asminha

I am listeneing to the song now - thanks to Salim- and I can affirm now that it's no Berber!!

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Speak Moroccan - Parlez marocain
Moroccan Vocabulary - Vocabulaire Marocain

Nadine

Thanks for the answer Asma ! I keep wondering what language it is .
And yes, it would be nice if you could give me more general information about Berber language. I thought it was ONE language spoken by all Berber people.
I don't intend to learn the language but I AM interested in the history of it.
Maybe, you can tell me more - if you have the time of course - or maybe there is a site on the internet where I can find more information ?

Since September I'm studying Arabic in evening school and I just LOVE it.
I suppose I will be around here one the forum pretty often... with all my questions... .

Shokran again.
Nadine

Asminha

Hi again Nadine :-)

Well, when I said that it wasn't Berber, I meant "my accent" :D (Thanks Salim for correcting me).
The fact is that Berber has many accents, and they are different according to the place the person comes from!
In northern Morocco, people mostly speak Tarifit, in Algeria they have the kabyle accent..And is central and southern Morocco you find tashelhit, which is what I speak :D
Even in the south, the vocabulary can be pretty much different from a place to another!

You can type the word "berber" in www.answers.com, and you'll find plenty of information :-)

I am at your service to answer any question about Berber, and you're most welcome to ask your questions about Arabic! (By the way, how is it progressing?)

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Speak Moroccan - Parlez marocain
Moroccan Vocabulary - Vocabulaire Marocain

Nadine

Hi Asma,

I indeed found a lot of information on that site you mentionned. Shokran!
And Khalid Izri was mentioned among the Kabyle singers. So.. that must be it.

Arabic is going very well. Of course it took some time to learn the alphabet first; we've learned to introduce ourselves, to talk about our family, and so on. It really fascinating. I just love to listen to Arabic language, even without understanding it. Especially with case endings; the -un, -an, -in make it sound like a song. Know what I mean ?

Anyway, I intend to learn as much as possible about it, that 's for sure.

Ila liqa.
Nadine