Saudi Arabia—ARAMCO

Two Arabic vocabularies:

Arabic work vocabulary for Americans in Saudi Arabia. Cairo: Elias' Modern Press, Faggala, 1947. Third edition (revised), small 8vo (138 x 105mm.), original printed blue card wrappers, a few pages annotated, wrappers slightly soiled, upper hinge splitting

Teach Yourself the Saudi Arabian Dialect: Spoken Arabic in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia: The International Publications Agencies, [no date]. 16mo (162 x 120mm.), 124pp, annotations in ink, one page creased, extremities rubbed

Arabic work vocabulary for Americans in Saudi Arabia is a scarce Arabic vocabulary, intended "to provide the American who works with Arabs in the Al Hasa region of Arabia a nucleus of words and phrases which will aid him in the accomplishment of his tasks." The text covers safety terms, social expressions, interview phrases, time, place and direction, quantity and manner, indefinite pronouns, together with supplements on cardinal numbers, days of the week, time, comparison of adjectives etc. The preface notes that "Qat🔜if is treated as the focal point of the speech region represented [...] by no means presented intact, however, but modified to embrace usages in Hofuf, Bahrein and Jubail, with some accommodation to those of the Bedu as well." 

Spoken Arabic in Saudi Arabia is another Arabic vocabulary, advertised as a "short cut method, simple, and easy enough for a businessman to teach himself the spoken Arabic while relaxing in the Aircraft or in his Hotel room". The text includes a brief guide to Arabic customs, general pronunciation hints, and covers subjects including courtesies in the Gulf countries, business vocabulary, t🐭erms to use when in the street or when shopping, excuses and apologies, food, etc.

PROVENANCE:

Arabic Work Vocabulary: stamp of H. Hargrove on upper cover