Peace Corps / Morocco 147

Safety and Security

Objective: By the end of the chapter, you will be able to: list some safety and security problems you may face during your service describe some strategies for dealing with these issues use Moroccan Arabic to implement these strategies

Sexual Harassment
Vocabulary

gazelle* the beautiful* the beauty* a strawberry (girl)*

Expressions

l-zala z-zwina z-zin t-tuta

to follow someone to get in someone's way to harass

tb trrd ngg

*These words are used by men to harass women.

sexual harassment He followed me. What do you want? Go away. Get away (far) from me. Let go of me. Dont touch me. Dont follow me again. Give me some space. (go away) Go or you will regret it. I will tell the police. I will call the gendarmes. Respect yourself. He doesnt want to get away (far) from me. I told you: get away (far) from me. I told you: go away. tarru jinsi tbni. nu biti? sir f
.

alk.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . : :

bd mnni.

tlq mnni.
ma-t-qisni-. ma-t-awd- t-tbni.

tini t-tisa.
sir wlla

adi t-ndm.

adi n-bll l-bulis. adi n-iyt la

j-jadarmiya.

tarm rask.
ma-ba- y-bd mnni. glt lik: bd mnni. glt lik: sir f

alk.

148 Moroccan Arabic

Text - Arabic
: . . ". . . " . . ": . ": . . ". "

Text - Transcription

Cathy xarja mn dar -bab mlli Cathy xarja mn dar -bab, kan wad mul t-tumubil waqf f j-jnb dyal t-triq. mnin wslat Cathy dah, gal liha: "tli a l-zala n-wsslk." Cathy galt lih: "sir f alk. we biti i wad y-tb xtk?" bqat Cathy adya u bqa mul t-tumubil tbha. qtat Cathy t-triq l j-jiha l-xura. nat rasha u kmmlat triqha. f nhar t-tani awd nfs -i ma mul t-tumubil. f nhar t-talt galt Cathy l mul t-tumubil: "ila awdti tbni adi n-bll l-bulis." b l-fil awd tbha u mat l l-bulis u bllat u tathum rqm t-tumubil. l-bulis ddu mul t-tumubil u iytu la Cathy. tlb mul t-tumubil s-smaa mn Cathy u ltazm ba ma-bqi- y-trrd liha mrra xora.

Questions

1. fin kant Cathy? 2. fin kan mul 3. nu gal mul

1 2 3 4 5 6

t-tumubil? t-tumubil l Cathy?

. .

4. we mat Cathy ma mul

t-tumubil? 5. nu dart Cathy mlli awd tbha mul t-tumubil? 6. nu dar mul t-tumubil mlli dduh
l-bulis?
Text - English Translation

. . .

Cathy coming out of the youth center When Cathy was coming out of the youth center, there was a man in his car by the side of the road. As she passed by him, he told her: Get in gazelle, I will take you home. Cathy said: Go away. Is it okay with you if someone harasses your sister? Cathy kept walking and the man was following her with his car. She crossed the road, ignoring him, and continued on her way. The next day, the same thing happened with that man. The following day Cathy told the man: If you follow me again I will tell the police. In fact, he did follow her again and so she went to the police station. She told them what happened and gave them the license plate number. The police arrested the man and called Cathy. The man apologized to Cathy and promised not to get in her way again.

Peace Corps / Morocco 149

At the Taxi Stand

Vocabulary

seat tire smooth

blasa rwida
memsua

windshield cracked to be afraid to happen

j-jaja mquqa xaf wq

Expressions

Drive slowly please. Better safe than sorry.

Dialogue

sug b -wiya afak.

llahumma slama wala ndama.

. .

f matta d

t-taxiyat blasa Akka.

l-kurti: blasa Akka, Max: ana l-kurti:

. . . . .

adi l Akka.

tl.

: : : : :

Max: bllati, xllini n-uf t-taksi bda. ma-bit- n-mi f had t-taksi. l-kurti:

la?

Max: r-rwayd mmsuin u j-jaja l-qddamiya mquqa. l-kurti:

. . . . . .

: : : : : .1 .2 .3 .4

ir zid ma-t-xaf-, ma adi y-wq walu. Max: uf liya i taxi mzyan afak. xssk t-tsnna wiya.
Max: l-wqt mai mukil. llahumma slama wala ndama.

l-kurti:

Questions

1. fin kayn Max? 2. fin 3.

adi Max? tlb mn l-kurti?

la ma-ma- f t-taxi l-li af?

4. nu

150 Moroccan Arabic

English Translation

At the taxi stand l-kurti: A seat to Aqqa, a seat to Aqqa. Max: I am going to Aqqa. l-kurti: Get in. Max: Wait. Let me see the taxi first. . . . I dont want to go in this taxi. l-kurti: Why? Max: The tires are smooth and the windshield is cracked. l-kurti: Come on, dont worry. Nothing is going to happen. Max: Find me a good taxi. l-kurti: You have to wait a little bit.

At Work
Vocabulary

Max: Time is not a problem. Better safe than sorry.

to bring in to take out to steal to be stolen

Dialogue

dxxl xrrj srq tsrq

to lock to (something) a lock

dd ma qfl

f l-xdma lomolog: s-salamu alaykum. jiti bkri l-yum. Patrick: wa alaykum s-salam. i wiya. lomolog: a hada? la dxxlti l-bisklit l l-biru. Patrick: ah, adi y-tsrq ila xllitu brra. lomolog: welakin hadi mai blasa d l-bisklit. Patrick: iyeh, welakin a adi n-dir? lomolog: dir qfl l l-bisklit u ddu ma l-bab dyal brra. Patrick: fikra mzyana. ma-fkkrt- fiha.

. . . . . .

: : : : : :

. . .

: : : . . . : :

ndk qfl? Patrick: iyeh, ndi. n-xrrju daba u n-ddu ma l-bab. lomolog: sdd t-lqa ma-t-ll.
lomolog: we

Peace Corps / Morocco 151

Questions 1. la dxxl Patrick l-bisklit l l-biru?

1 2 3

2. nu gal lomolog l Patrick? 3. nu dar Patrick f t-tali?

English Translation

. .

At work counterpart: Peace be upon you. You came in early today. Patrick: Peace be upon you too. A little bit. counterpart: Whats this? Why did you bring your bicycle into the office? Patrick: Oh. It will be stolen if I leave it outside. counterpart: But this is not the place for bicycles. Patrick: Yes, but what should I do? counterpart: Use a lock with the bicycle, and lock it to the gate. Patrick: Good idea. I didnt think about that. counterpart: Do you have a lock? Patrick: Yes, I have one. Ill take it outside now and lock it to the gate. counterpart: Lock now what you will find later.

Forgetting a Wallet in a Taxi / Filing a Report

Vocabulary

police police station wallet

bulis kumisariya

to lose to forget to save (someone)

wddr
nsa

bztam

tq

Expressions

Help me. I lost my passport. I forgot my wallet in... Wheres the police station? Help me! (use only in extreme danger)

awnni. wddrt l-ppasppor.

nsit l-bztam dyali f... fin l-kumisariya?
... .

tqu r-ru.

152 Moroccan Arabic

Dialogue

Brian: s-salamu bulis: wa

alaykum.
. .

: : : :

alaykum s-salam. Brian: sm li, nsit l-bztam dyali f wad t-taksi.

Brian: smiti Brian ....

bulis: waxxa, nu smitk?

.

: :

bulis: nu kayn f l-bztam? Brian: fih l-ppasppor dyali u wad lakart viza u 500 drhm. bulis: we qlti la n-nmra dyal t-taksi? Brian: 45. bulis: waxxa, xlli liya r-rqm d t-tilifun dyalk, adi n-ttaslu bik mn bd. Brian: ukran. bulis: lla ukran
Questions

500
.

: .

45

. .

: :

ala wajib.

1. fin ma Brian?

la?

. .

1 2

2. we tsrq lih l-bztam?

English Translation

Brian: Peace be upon you. police: Peace be upon you too. Brian: Excuse me, I forgot my wallet in a taxi. police: Okay, whats your name? Brian: My name is Brian ... police: What was in the wallet? Brian: My passport, a Visa card, and 500 dirham. police: Do you remember the taxis number? Brian: 45. police: Okay, leave me your phone number, well call you later. Brian: Thanks. police: Its my duty.

Peace Corps / Morocco 153

Butagas
Vocabulary

butane gas tank gas CO detector battery gasket (rubber ring) torn hose odor / smell ring

l-buta l-gaz d-ditiktur l-jra j-jlda d l-buta

metal regulator between gas tank and hose

l-magana jrrb sdd

to test to close (tank) to open (tank) to turn on / to make work

( )

ll
xddm bddl ziyr mm

mqtt(a)
t-tiyu r-ria l-xatm

to change to tighten to smell

Expressions

There is a gas smell. Turn on the detector. Test the butagas tank with water and soap. Change the rubber ring if its torn.
Dialogue Fatima nd Caroline

kayna r-ria d l-gaz. xddm d-ditiktur. jrrb l-buta b l-ma u s-sabun. bddl j-jlda d l-buta ila tqtat.
.

Fatima: ahlan bixir. Caroline: bixir l-amdullah, mrba bik. Fatima: ukran. aji mmit r-ria d l-buta. Caroline: ma-mmit-, rah ndi d-ditiktur d l-gaz welakin ma-fih- l-jra. Fatima: xssk t-xddmih dima, had -i mai lb. aji n-ufu j-jlda d l-buta bda. Caroline: waxxa. Fatima: j-jlda mqtta. had -i xatar. xssna n-bddluha u mn bd n-jrrbu b l-ma u s-sabun. Caroline: fikra mzyana.
. . . .

: .

. .

154 Moroccan Arabic

Questions 1. la ma-xddmat- Caroline d-ditiktur d l-gaz? 2. nu l-mukil f l-buta dyal Caroline?
.

1 2 3

. .

3. nu

xss Caroline u Fatima y-diru?

English Translation

Fatima: Hello, how are you? Caroline: Fine, thanks be to God. Welcome. Fatima: Thanks. Come here . . . I smell gas. Caroline: I dont smell it. I have a gas detector but it ran out of batteries. Fatima: You should always have it on. This is no game. Lets look at the rubber gasket ring first. Caroline: Okay. Fatima: You see, the rubber ring is torn. This is dangerous. We have to change it, then test it with water and soap. Caroline: Good idea.

Hash
Vocabulary

hashish quality to smoke

l-i kaliti / nu kma

to use

stml

sticking to / bothering someone

lasq

Dialogue Jalil: aji axay, we kat-qllb l-i?

la

: . . . . . . . . . . : : : : : :

Scott: lla, sir f alk. ana ma-kan-stmlu-. Jalil: aji, rah ndi kaliti zwina mn ktama. Scott: glt lik sir f alk. bd mnni. ana ma-kan-kmi-. Jalil: uf, n-dir mak taman mzyan. Scott: uf nta, ila bqiti lasqni adi n-gulha l l-bulis. ana ma-kan-kmi-. Jalil: l-bulis!

safi lla y-awnk.

Peace Corps / Morocco 155

Questions

1. ma mn tlaqa Scott? 2. nu ba mnnu Jalil? 3. we ra Scott l-i? 4.

1 2 3 4

. .

la xaf Jalil u ma b alu?

Jalil: Come here (brother), are you looking for hash? Scott: No, go away. I dont use it. Jalil: Come on, its good stuff from Ktama. Scott: I said go away. I dont smoke. Jalil: Look, Ill give you a good price. Scott: You look, if you keep bothering me Ill call the police. I dont smoke. Jalil: Police! Okay, may God help you.

English Translation

Theft
Vocabulary

theft danger dangerous

make a statement / file a report

s-srqa

thief to touch to forgive he attacked me he snatched my... he slapped me he hit me he spit on me he grabbed me from... he cursed me he stole my... he insulted me to call (the police) court

ffar / srraq qas sm l... tdda

...

xatar xatir
sjjl dwa stida ahd ahada l-bulis l-inspiktur

liya
...

summons witness testimony police police inspector police car report law human rights lawyer
medical certificate / report

xtf liya... srfqni drbni

dfl

liya
...

ddni mn... sbbni srq liya...

fargunit
rappur l-qanun

...

ayrni iyt l
mkama

uquq l-'insan
muami ahada tibbiya

156 Moroccan Arabic

Expressions

Wheres the closest police / gendarme station, please. I want to make a statement about a theft / an attack / sexual harassment. What police station should I go to? Take me to the closest police station, please. Be careful! Pay attention. Come with me to the police.
Dialogue

fin 'aqrab kumisariya / brigad d j-jundarm, afak? bit n-bll la s-srqa / itida' / tarru jinsi. lamn kumisariya n-mi?
/ /

xssni
. ! . .

ddini l 'aqrab kumisariya, afak.

di rask!
rdd balk. zid maya l l-bulis.

John: s-salamu bulis: wa

alaykum.
. .

: : : : . : : :

alaykum s-salam. nu xssk? John: bit n-bll la i srqa.

John: iyeh.

bulis: we lik nta?

bulis: waxxa, John: bulis:

tini l-ppaspor dyalk.

.

ndi ir la-kart d sejur, hak. tta hiya mzyana. nu srq lik? u s-sak?

fuqa? John: sak, f 3:00. bulis: kif dar srq lik John:

.3:00 . . .

: : : : : : :

xtfu liya mn ktfi.

wsfu liya. John: twil u labs djin u t-urt mr. bulis: nu kayn f had s-sak b d-dbt? John: ndi fih tilifun u futa u ktab u musjjala sira (walkman) u 200
bulis: kif dayr had -ffar? drhm. bulis: waxxa, a sidi. adi n-diru l-bt dyalna u n-taslu bik mn bd. John: safi, we n-mi? bulis: lla, tsnna tta t-axud mak nsxa mn r-rappur. John: waxxa ukran. bulis: hak, daba n-taslu bik. di rask mrra xura.

200 (
. .

) : :

. . . .

: : :

Peace Corps / Morocco 157

English Translation

John: Peace be upon you. police officer: Peace be upon you too. Can I help you? John: I want to report a theft. police officer: Are you the victim? John: Yes. police officer: Okay, your passport, please. John: I have only my carte de sejour. Here you are. police officer: Thats okay. What was stolen from you and when? John: A bag at 3:00. police officer: How was it stolen? John: A man snatched it from my shoulder. police officer: Can you describe the thief? John: Hes tall, wearing jeans and a red T-shirt. police officer: What exactly did you have in the bag? John: A cell phone, a towel, a book, a walkman, and 200 dirham. police officer: Okay, sir, well do our investigation and well get in touch with you later. John: Thats it? Can I leave? police officer: Wait a minute, youve got to take a photocopy of the report. John: Okay, thanks. police officer: Here you are. Well get in touch with you. Be careful in the future.

House Security / Doors and Windows

Vocabulary

lock welder latch / bolt

qfl sudur / ddad s-saqta

/

sliding metal bolt for locking doors

z-zkrum barrat d-drogri

iron bars hardware store

158 Moroccan Arabic

Dialogue

Jamal: s-salamu

alaykum.
. .

: : :

Carlos: wa alaykum s-salam. mrba bik. Jamal: a kat-dir f Carlos: walu,

d-dar?

ir gals.

. . . . . .

: : : :

Jamal: yallah n-xrju. Carlos: waxxa. Jamal: nu hada? had l-qfl iyan. xssk wad si. u xssk saqta ba t-sdd ldaxl. Carlos: fikra mzyana. mnin adi n-rihum? Jamal: mn d-drugri wlla mn s-suq dda. u tta had s-srjm xssu barrat dyal l-did ba thnna. aji n-miu nd s-sudur n-sawbu had s-srjm daba. xssk ir t-dd l-bar dyalu. Carlos: hadi fikra mutabara. Jamal: iyeh, llahumma slama wala ndama.
Questions
.

. .

: :

. . .

: :

1. nu kan Carlos kay-dir? 2. nu l-mukil dyal Carlos?

xss Carlos ydir? 4. mnin adi y-ri l-qfl u s-saqta? 5. nd mn adi y-sawb l-barrat?
3. nu
English Translation

1 .2 .3 .4 .5

Jamal: Carlos: Jamal: Carlos: Jamal: Carlos: Jamal:

Peace be upon you. And peace be upon you too. Welcome. What are you doing at home? Nothing, just sitting around. Lets go out. Okay. What is this? This lock is not strong. You need a strong one. You also need a sliding metal bolt in order to lock the door from the inside. Carlos: Good idea. Where can I get these from? Jamal: From the hardware store or from souk tomorrow. Also this window needs iron bars for you to feel safe. Lets go to the welders to fix this window now. You need to measure it. Carlos: Excellent idea.

Peace Corps / Morocco 159

Political Harassment
Vocabulary

Jamal: Its better to be safe than sorry.

to end war citizen normal freedom democracy subject

Dialogue

wqf l-rb

population, people for against to convince killing to kill

-b ma

muwatin adi
l-uriya d-dimuqratiya

dedd
qn l-qtila qtl

mudu

kan John gals f l-qhwa kay-qra "Newsweek" u kanu n-nas kay-tfrrju f "Al-Jazira." wad mn n-nas gal l John:

" :

" ". "

muwatin: hdr ma Bush y-wqqf had l-rb. John: ana ir muwatin adi mn mirikan. xdmti hiya n-awn n-nas f l-mrib. had -i l-li kan-rf. safi. muwatin: welakin kat-gulu ndkum l-uriya u d-dimuqratiya. John: had -i bss welakin ana ir mirikani adi mn -b. muwatin: kulkum bal bal, kat-biu l-rb. f mirikan ktr mn 50% d n-nas ma l-rb. tta nta mnhum.
John: lla. ana ma 50% xora l-li dedd l-rb. muwatin: kifa adi n-rfu? John: kifa adi n-qnk? muwatin: ma-n-rf welakin mirikan xssha t-wqqf l-qtila dyal n-nas. John: mttafq mak. bqat wad l-mjmua d n-nas f l-qhwa kay-tkllmu la had l-mudu u kay-ufu f John. John xlls qhwtu u ma f alu.
.

. . . .

: . .

: %

50
. . : : : : .

50

160 Moroccan Arabic

Questions

1. fin kan John? 2. nu kan kay-dir? 3. nu kanu n-nas kay-diru? 4. nu hiya l-xdma dyal John f l-mrib? 5. we mirikan kulha ma l-rb? 6. we John ma wlla

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

. . .

. . .

ddd l-rb?

7. nu dar John f t-tali?

English Translation

John was sitting in a caf reading Newsweek. Some people there were watching Al-Jazeera. One of the men at the caf said to John: Moroccan citizen: Talk to Bush about stopping this war. John: Im just a normal citizen from America. My job is to help people in Morocco. Thats all I know. Moroccan citizen: But in America you say you have freedom and democracy. John: Thats true, but I am just a normal American. Moroccan citizen: You are all the same. You all like war. In America more than 50% of the people are for the war. You are one of them. John: No, I am with the other Americans against the war. Moroccan citizen: How are we going to know? John: How can I convince you? Moroccan citizen: I dont know but America must stop killing people. John: I agree. A group of people in the caf kept talking about the subject of the war. They were looking at John. John paid for his coffee and left.