Can anyone recommend a good english to arabic translation dictionary?

Question

Obviously it needs to have the arabic words written in english. I've tried some online translators but it gives the translation in arabic writing. I'm posting here because I'm going to Morocco soon and thought some of my YA friends might know of a good one.

Thanks Fez, as usual you made me laugh. I know my fiance will be teaching me both languages and will translate, but I am hoping to spend some time alone cooking with his mother and she only speaks arabic so I thought a book would be good to learn cooking terms since he more than likely will not be with me to help.

Answer 1

If you want to study the Moroccan dialect a bit contact me. I have some cds I can copy for you...but you'd proabably want the book that goes with them: http://www.amazon.com/Moroccan-Georgetown-Classics-Language-Linguistics/dp/1589010817/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3065865-4875917?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183071629&sr=1-1 . And although I think the best way to understand the pronunciation is with Arabic script this book is written in latin characters.........

****The best phrase to learn is "wesh emrick m'chef mra?!"
"What, have you never seen a woman before????"
I don't think I wrote the transliteration very well....but anyway, u need to know that the street in Morocco is a public place and therefore your 'privacy' doesn't really exist there. So ppl STARE A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!! we think it is rude...to them it is normal.*****

I also have another book, though a bit outdated....it is still good since you will be there a couple of months....Culture Shock: Morocco...http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Shock-Morocco-Orin-Hargraves/dp/1558682414

I also suggest getting a French phrase book or memorizing some French phrases....and then mixing that with a bit of Moroccan Arabic...or Standard Arabic........
Moroccan Arabic phrase book: http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Moroccan-Arabic-Phrasebook/dp/0864425864/ref=pd_sim_b_1/104-3065865-4875917 (I never used it so I don't know if it's good--I had one from France) & I have a knack for languages, so I pick things up quickly.

EDIT: my suggestion for learning kitchen and cooking terms would be to make a spreadsheet with photos of items and then the term in Moroccan Arabic next to it..include some numbers etc...you can post it in the kitchen and refer back to it when needed...you might also want to laminate it. I can help you more with specific terms by email after my summer finals next week ...

Answer 2

arabic is easy ;language ,,u need to communicate so u pick it up,.,,more u r in contact with someone who speaks and tells u back ,,u will be fine,try to learn passively ,,and add a little active studying,,,dictionaries r many,,,best one,is called (golden al wafi-translator)u download it on your computer ,type phrase or word and it translates ,,but it will be phrases in arabic u get them in english ,,best of luck ,,,

Answer 3

Hi, this book got me through my Arabic 101 & 102 classes, it gives you Arabic in transliteration as well as in Arabic script. Have fun.

Answer 4

the oxford one is really good they have pocket one and if you want to go big try al-mawrid

Answer 5

Borders has one in their store... I almost bought it... I imagine Amazon has them too.