Page 211 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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NEGLECTED ARABIA 11

very strange at first. Their clothes and the furnishings of their houses
were so different from anything we had ever seen. But one thing has
impressed us from the first. They are very friendly and hospitable. We
understood nothing at the beginning and could say only, “How are you?”
‘•Good-bye," and a few greetings like that. But in spite of that they
were always very glad to have us come. Our one pet phrase was, “Shinu
! hadlia?” meaning “What is this?” And the conversation immediately
turned into a language lesson. We were told and asked to repeat all the
\ tomes of the different articles of wearing apparel, jewelry, and parts
of the human anatomy. And what beautiful clothes the wealthy women
jovel Most of them are not allowed to go outside of their own court-
yards ami when they do go they arc covered from head to fuut with a
Unto black abba so no one acea their pretty things. They weur bright
colored silks over which is a long, loose, flowing robe of black georgette,
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chiffon, or net. Their jewelry is most attractive too. They took delight *
in decorating us with bracelets, collars, and anklets. Most of the jewelry
U made from Turkish liras or gold pieces and is sold by weight. The
price is the amount of gold it takes to balance the jewelry. At one
home a girl who could write got a paper and gave us a long list of
Arabic words which we were supposed to imbibe automatically. But
for all this the Arab women are very patient with us and try their best
lu understand what we are trying to say to them. And they are always
eager to correct us and help us. In many of the homes opportunity is
giyen to read portions from the gospels. The passages used most are
the story of the Good Shepherd, the woman at the well, and “Let not
your heart be troubled.” Many of the women sit and nod and sav,
■'True,” while others mutter verses from the Koran under their breath.
There are still many homes where we are not permitted to read. All we
can hope and pray for is to win the women as friends first and later that
ihcy will let us give them the gospel story.
All that has ever been said about the difficulty of the Arabic language
vc are willing to agree to at this stage of the game. The-first difficulty
b correct pronunciation. Many of the letters are gutturals and at first
Arabic sounds like a combination of gargling and grunting of the camel.
Doubtless many of the sounds were taken from the vocal expressions of
ibe “ship of the desert.” Then the construction is different from that
of any European language and one must approach the study of it differ­
ently. As our Arabic grammar says, “Learn to think orientally.” Even i
the working of our brains needs readjustment in Topsy Turvy Land.
And the Arabic vocabulary is tremendously large. There are hundreds
$1 synonyms for some words.
Uut for all of this we are enjoying our language work immensely. Its
Alficulty challenges us to do our very best and we know that we have
4 worth while task in hand. It is very much easier to learn a language
■ the country where it is spoken. And how infinitely more interesting
t is than learning it only from a text hook where one cannot see the
t<uplc and learn to know them. When one lives among them their
*fccch is a living thing.
And so we will go on learning, not only for the next two years but
Lx the rest of our lives so that we may be workmen who need not to be
•Aimed but who can tell* the Arab in his own language of the love of
ihriit and of the salvation He gives to all who believe on His name.

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