Transcription of Moroccan Arabic

Transcription of Moroccan Arabic

In order for trainees to move quickly into Moroccan Arabic (also called “Darija”), Peace Corps uses a system of transcription that substitutes characters of the Latin alphabet (a, b, c, d, . . . ) for characters from Arabic script. With this system, it isn’t necessary for a trainee to learn all of Arabic script before he or she begins to learn the language. On the contrary, once you become familiar
with the system of transcription, you will be able to “read” and “write” Moroccan Arabic fairly quickly—using characters you are familiar with. You will also learn Arabic script during training, but with transcription it isn’t necessary to know it right away. Throughout the book, therefore, you will always see both the original Arabic script and the transcription. Becoming familiar with the Peace
Corps’ system of transcription is one of the best things you can do, early on, to help yourself learn Moroccan Arabic. Practicing the different sounds of Moroccan Arabic until you can reproduce them is another. This introduction is intended mainly to help you get started with the system of transcription, and as a result it will mention only briefly the different sounds of Arabic.