Error in Basic Introductions

Hi everyone, I have just started 1.1 basic introductions and think I have found a error in the English translation. In the audio Hany states he is from America yet the text states Alexandria. Can someone let me know which one is correct. Thanks Dene

oooopppppps looks like I have found another mistake again this is in the basic introductions lesson. In the Arabic(English letter) text Amira says "ahlan wa sahlan" which from the previous lesson is hello and welcome, yet in the English text it is written as "hello". Surely this should just be "ahlan" and not ahlan wa sahlan? Thanks for any help on this. Look forward to your replies Dene

Hi Dene, thank you for pointing this out. I have fixed the mistake regarding Alexandria and America. In regards to "ahlan wa sahlan", well this is a long story, but I try to keep it short. Often you can't translate languages exactly. One word might be translated into four in another language and often the concepts are different even though they mean the same. For example in Korea you say "Have you eaten?" when you greet someone. It has the same function as saying "How are you?". So if you did a proper translation from Korean into English you would say "How are you" and if you translate it back into Korean you would say "Have you eaten?". If I translated a story and said "Have you eaten" in English it wouldn't make much sense for an English speaker even though it is a direct translation. Now in English it is uncommon to say "Hello and welcome' to someone you meet, unless of course they come to your house warming party, therefore we simply say "hello" in English. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions. Amira

Ahlan wa sahlan ya Amira, thanks for your speedy response to my questions, just like to say I am really enjoying the course and look forward to finishing it. Although I have a long way to go my reward for finishing this course is another vist to Egypt, but hopefully this time I will be understood by everyone not just by the locals who can speak english. Great course keep up the good work. ma'as salama Dene

I'm in Saudi Arabia and NO one uses Ahlan Wahsalan. Everyone, without exception, uses Salama Lekum to greet. Why do you not teach this?

Hi Amira, please see that you answer everybody's questions so that the members do not get demotivated. I dont say that u are not responding. It would be Great if i get answers to my question in a day time. Please help me with the location from where i can post my doubts or questions.

Assalamu wa alaykum, Are you guys still responding to the posts? I have not seen an answer from the staff to a response since 2009.

Ahlan wa sahlan everybody. Thank you for your patience. As you may know our offices are in Christchurch, New Zealand and were destroyed in the recent earthquake. All our staff got out safely and we are in the process of moving into new premises. In response to your question Thomas, the Arabic we use is Egyptian Arabic as that is what is understood throughout the Arab speaking world. The course is under review from a native Arabic speaker at the moment, so you may see some changes. If you do have feedback or suggestions relating to any of the courses, please use the feedback button on the left hand navigation panel - this comes directly through to our customer support. Shukran Amira

Ahlan Thomas To expand on my previous message - the greeting "Assalamu3alaykum" is primarily religious greeting for Muslims although it simply means "Peace be upon you". Since the majority of people you are meeting in Saudi Arabia would be Muslim, this would be the normal greeting. However, in Egypt there are many Christians so the neutral greeting would be "Ahlan" or "Ahlan wa sahlan" which can mean "Welcome" as is used throughout the Arab world. I hope this give you more insight into the greeting :) - Amira