Search results
Tunisian Arabic, or simply Tunisian (Arabic: تونسي, romanized: Tūnsi), is a variety of Arabic spoken in Tunisia. It is known among its 12 million speakers as Tūnsi , [ˈtuːnsi] ⓘ "Tunisian" [6] or Derja ( Arabic : الدارجة ; meaning "common or everyday dialect" [7] ) to distinguish it from Modern Standard Arabic , the official ...
It shows the nation’s identity and brings people together. Asking “Do Tunisia speak Arabic?” goes beyond language. It’s about understanding the Tunisian spirit. In Tunisia, every word and talk shows the country’s history and daily life. It connects me to Tunisia’s ancient rhythms, even as a visitor. From markets to cafes, Arabic is ...
People also ask
What language is spoken in Tunisia?
How many people speak Tunisian Arabic?
What is Tunisian Arabic?
Do Tunisians speak French?
- Tunisians & Maltese Speak The Same Language
- Arabs Could Hardly Understand Tunisian Arabic
- Tunisian Arabic and French Have A Lot in Common
- Tunisian Arabic Is Different from Modern Standard Arabic
- Tunisian Arabic Is at Least 1,200 Years Old
Tunisia and Malta have different degrees of cultural admixture, but it turns out the two Mediterranean countries are not just neighbors, they do speak the same language. Ever heard that Maltese is descended from Tunisian Arabic? Yes, it is. Well, the Maltese language, Malta’s official language, originated in the 11th century when settlers arrived f...
Tunisian Arabic is mostly intelligible to speakers of other North African dialects but is quite challenging to understand or is unintelligible for speakers of Middle Eastern Arabic. Algerians, Libyans, and a great majority of Moroccans would be able to understand Tunisian. However, the rest of the MENA region speakers would have a very hard time un...
The was mainly due to the French colonialism of Tunisia that lasted over 75 years. What it is called the French protectorate of Tunisia, commonly referred to as simply French Tunisia, was established in 1881, and lasted until Tunisian independence in 1956. During that period, Tunisians encountered the Standard French language. The new language affe...
Tunisian Arabic is actually quite different from the modern standard Arabic language. If you speak MSA to Tunisians, they would understand you. However, even with your ability to speak standard Arabic, you are unlikely to be able to understand the Tunisian Arabic. When talking to Middle Eastern speakers, Tunisians tend to use a very “simplified” te...
Tunisian Arabic originated in the 7th century after the Conquest of Arabs in early Umayyad times. It pretty much started to get to what it is now little by little over centuries of being influenced by many civilizations and cultures that the region survived. However, earlier similar different versions of the spoken language existed, including the B...
Tunisia - Arabic, French, Berber: Arabic is the official language, and most natives speak a dialect of Tunisian Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic is taught in schools. The cultural Arabization of the country was largely completed by the end of the 12th century, and currently only a tiny fraction of the population—most of them in the south—still speak one of the Berber languages. French ...
- Hello, Goodbye / Aslema, Bislema. Hello, or aslema, is a word you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice (along with goodbye, or bislema), and it’s a great way to indicate that you’re interested in engaging locals at a deeper level right off the bat.
- What is your name? My name is … / Shnowa issmik? Issmi… Ready to make some friends? You can start by asking their names and introducing yourself, like this: Shnowa issmik?
- Thank you! / Yaishek! Gratitude is appreciated in every culture, and Tunisia is no exception. When your server brings you a cold bottle of water or a steaming hot bowl of c ouscousi, responding with yaishek, literally meaning “life to you,” is sure to elicit a smile.
- Yes, no / Ay, Le. The Tunisian word for yes is ay and no is le (both rhyme with “say”). If someone offers to carry your bags at the airport, but you’d prefer to carry them yourself, you can respond politely by saying le yaishik, or no thank you.
Tunisian Arabic, also called Tunisian, Tounsi, and Derja, is spoken by over 11 million people. The Tunisian dialect is part of Maghrebi Arabic and resembles the dialects in Libya and Algeria. The Tounsi has some similarities with Maltese and also includes a lot of loanwords from languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, and Turkish.
The Tunisian word for “Hi” or “Hello” is Aslema. While there are many other greetings in French or more formal Arabic, Aslema is a greeting unique to Tunisian Arabic, and it is the most common greeting that Tunisians share with each other. If you are just now reading this while you’re already boarding a flight to Tunisia and you need ...
