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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 12 Mar 2007
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Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post
I got a U (unclassified - or useless!) in my french o'level but still managed to communicate reasonably well on the same route as you the times I have done it. sometimes though it helps to play the stupid englishman waving your arms about and speaking louder (eg, when pulled up for some erroneous traffic offence!) Even if I spoke the language well I would avoid letting on in some cases.
Ultimately if someone wants to communicate with you, and vice versa, you can manage suprisingly well. English is spoken in many of the tourist areas but I would avoid those as you also get more hassle. On most borders a smattering of french will help. also take a phrase book or dictionary for when you really get stuck, although I have never had to use mine.

Are you travelling with the PDC, now known as the banjul challenge I think. if not are you aware of restrictions on right hand drive vehicles going in to Gambia? not a problem if you are on a bike obviously, but definately if you are in a car.
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This is highly questionable advice - don't play the "stupid Englishman" if you're not English (or stupid). Some travellers hide the fact that they're English, such is the poor reputation of a minority of them for shouting (or "speaking louder") at people, as if the Empire still existed; to say nothing of poodle Blair's illegal war in Iraq. One English bloke I know still refers to Asians as "coolies". He should be dangled from his dangly bits. Avoid this fate.

If you speak some French, you can use that asset to AVOID hassles, as I have done in France when caught in minor infringements by the police, e.g. crossing the double white line. They like to hear anglophones speaking their language -and why not? French is a real asset in Africa too.

French is a world language. Enough said.

And please dont, as Moggy suggests, say "a salaam o alaikum " in a French speaking country, as these words are Arabic!
Last edited by Caminando; 12 Mar 2007 at 14:22.
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Old 12 Mar 2007
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And please dont, as Moggy suggests, say "a salaam o alaikum " in a French speaking country, as these words are Arabic!
To get to Gambia from West Europe you would possibly cross:

Morocco: religion, Islam (98%), official language: Arabic
Western Sahara: religion - Islam, language: Arabic
Mauritania: religion - Islam (c. 100%), official language: Arabic
Senegal: religion - Islam (94%)

Perhaps even Algeria: religion - Islam (99%), official language: Arabic
or Mali: religion - Islam (90%)

I would think “as salam alaikum” would be a very nice thing to say in those countries, just as it might be in Paris or Marseille when meeting and greeting Muslims.
Stephan
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Old 12 Mar 2007
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Would you say "salaam" in London? The first post enquired about FRENCH not Arabic. FRENCH not Arabic!
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Old 12 Mar 2007
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Stephano

Would you say "salaam" in London? The first post enquired about FRENCH not Arabic. FRENCH not Arabic!
:confused1: The first post by chapati said he was driving to Gambia from Western Europe, so it would be logical to assume he was going via Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal. All 'French speaking' countries but it would also be quite appropriate to use the phrase in question.
I think Moggy's advice is quite sound
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Old 13 Mar 2007
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Don't want to get embroiled in an argument but I must admit as a fluent French speaker, whenever I'm in Morocco, Mauritania etc I do use the odd Arabic phrase that I know, including I'm ashamed to say 'hamar' - donkey which is the biggest insult going but only ever used once with a despicable character in Morocco.

If I'm at home in France, I rarely use Arabic (got a couple of Moroccan friends) that seems logical to me. But as someone else mentioned the French like to hear spoken French, as in Morocco, they appreciate a bit of Arabic.

When in Rome ... but French will be easier to learn I'd think!

Kira
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Old 13 Mar 2007
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It couldnt be clearer - the question was about French. Not Arabic. That means
French, not Arabic. I suggest you reread the post and realise the guy was asking about French, not Arabic.

French, not Arabic. He asked about learning French and someone suggested that he speak Arabic. Can you understand that? Please?

Repeat after me - French, not Arabic.......yes? well done!!!!
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Old 13 Mar 2007
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