In Algeria, as in all Arabic countries, there is Standard Arabic, which is the official national language. In addition, there are many other dialects spoken, dialects of Arabic and also several Berber languages. In Algeria there must be around 15 minority groups of Berbers, but no one knows exactly how many. About 30 people live…
By now we have learned a lot about the culture, language and people of this country. But there are some things we can’t get through our heads. We just don’t get it. For example, our landlady says, “If I make this meal tomorrow, I’ll invite you over.” We express our thanks. The next afternoon a…
Now that we are in country, there are some urgent tasks to do that we have been putting off for a long time. That means that I am spending more time than I used to at the computer. Unfortunately, there is only one table in our apartment, the chairs are too low, and we can’t…
Time is money, they say where we come from. Time is life, you could say here. Whereas people in our country often bustle along the street looking agitated and rushed, here it’s normal for people to stand around chatting or doing nothing at all. Recently I needed a haircut. I hesitated a long time because…
In our first few days in Algeria we have quite a bit of time to meet people and get used to living here. I have the idea of learning to read and write using Arabic script while we’re here. That will also be useful to us later for language learning, which we probably won’t have…
Bucks, Smackers, Dough Other countries, other customs — so far so good. Other countries, other prices. Just as clear and logical: other countries, other living conditions, other living standards, other ways of handling money. For us in the West, “other” almost always means that other people are poorer, live below the official poverty level and…