We're lucky to be born Arab for many reasons, one of which is the helpful fact of learning two to three languages - excluding Arabic - as we grow up.
While speaking multiple languages can be impressive to people, it can also be a bit challenging at times.
Here are 10 things you'll find relatable if you're a bilingual Arab:
1. You consider it one of your talents
There's a chance you bragged about your bilingual skill to your non-Arab friends as if it's a talent that required effort and time to perfect.
2. You’ve resisted the urge to add it everywhere on your CV
Especially if you live abroad, where speaking Arabic is considered extremely exotic and challenging. They must know of your hidden talent!
3. You sometimes forget words in both languages
How do you say bahdaleh in English? How do you say eggplant in Arabic? It happens, sometimes at the wrong time, that you end up forgetting both languages.
Draw your idea? Yeah?
4. It's difficult to have a conversation with someone who only speaks Arabic
And by someone who only speaks Arabic we mean teta and jeddo. *Translates words in my head before I start talking.*
What can I replace "anyway" and "at least" with?
5. But also with someone who only speaks English/French
It’s more challenging than you think to abstain from saying “eh,” “w hek,” and "ya3neh" when conversing with foreigners.
6. You tend to rub it in other peoples' faces
Did I mention I'm bilingual?
7. You get more options than other people
You get to choose the language you're more comfortable with.
8. Your taste in music is bipolar
You can go from Kanye West to Elissa in a matter of seconds... Arab weddings and parties can attest to that.
9. It’s far from possible not to curse in Arabic
This gift is especially useful when everyone around you is clueless.
10. You're not good at translations
If you've ever tried translating the most basic of Arabic words then you know it's much easier said than done.