Essential Arabic. Fethi Mansouri

ection>

      

      The Tuttle Story: “Books to Span the East and West”

      Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books—especially old and rare editions.

      Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.

      Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,” the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.

      With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past—inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.

      Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

       www.tuttlepublishing.com

      Copyright © 2012 Periplus Editions

      Consultant: Ayman Refaat

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

      ISBN: 978-1-4629-1008-3 (ebook)

      Distributed by

       North America, Latin America & Europe

       Tuttle Publishing

       364 Innovation Drive

       North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.

       Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

       [email protected]

       www.tuttlepublishing.com

      Japan

       Tuttle Publishing

       Yaekari Building, 3rd Floor, 5-4-12 Osaki

       Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141 0032

       Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

       [email protected]

       www.tuttle.co.jp

      Asia Pacific

       Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd.

       61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12

       Singapore 534167

       Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

       [email protected]

       www.periplus.com

      Indonesia

       PT Java Books Indonesia

       Jl. Rawa Gelam IV No. 9

       Kawasan Industri Pulogadung

       Jakarta 13930

       Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

       [email protected]

       www.periplus.com

      First edition

       19 18 17 16 15 14 13

       10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

       1309MP

      Printed in Singapore

      TUTTLE PUBLISHING^® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

      Contents

       Introduction

       Pronunciation guide

       Basic grammar

       1. The Basics

       1.1 Personal details

       1.2 Today or tomorrow?

       1.3 What time is it?

       1.4 One, two, three...

       1.5 The weather

       1.6 Here, there...

       1.7 What does that sign say?

       1.8 Legal holidays

       1.9 Telephone alphabets

       2. Meet and Greet

       2.1 Greetings

       2.2 Asking a question

       2.3 How to reply

       2.4 Thank you

       2.5 I’m sorry

       2.6 What do you think?

       3. Small Talk

       3.1 Introductions

       3.2 I beg your pardon?

       3.3 Starting/ending a conversation

       3.4 A chat about the weather

       3.5 Hobbies

       3.6 Invitations

       3.7 Paying a compliment

       3.8 Intimate comments/questions

       3.9 Congratulations and condolences

       3.10 Arrangements

       3.11 Being the host(ess)

       3.12 Saying good-bye

       4. Eating Out

       4.1 At the restaurant

       4.2 Ordering

       4.3 The bill

       4.4 Complaints

       4.5 Paying a compliment

       4.6 The menu

       4.7 Alphabetical list of drinks and dishes

       4.8 Well-known dishes

       5. Getting Around

       5.1 Asking directions

       5.2 Traffic signs

       5.3 The car The parts of a car

       5.4 The gas station

       5.5 Breakdowns and repairs