Essential Arabic. Fethi Mansouri
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The Tuttle Story: “Books to Span the East and West”
Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books—especially old and rare editions.
Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.
Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,” the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.
With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past—inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Copyright © 2012 Periplus Editions
Consultant: Ayman Refaat
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1008-3 (ebook)
Distributed by
North America, Latin America & Europe
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.
Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930; Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993
Japan
Tuttle Publishing
Yaekari Building, 3rd Floor, 5-4-12 Osaki
Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141 0032
Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171; Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755
Asia Pacific
Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd.
61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12
Singapore 534167
Tel: (65) 6280-1330; Fax: (65) 6280-6290
Indonesia
PT Java Books Indonesia
Jl. Rawa Gelam IV No. 9
Kawasan Industri Pulogadung
Jakarta 13930
Tel: (62) 21 4682-1088; Fax: (62) 21 461-0206
First edition
19 18 17 16 15 14 13
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
1309MP
Printed in Singapore
TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Contents
1.1 Personal details
1.2 Today or tomorrow?
1.3 What time is it?
1.4 One, two, three...
1.5 The weather
1.6 Here, there...
1.7 What does that sign say?
1.8 Legal holidays
1.9 Telephone alphabets
2.1 Greetings
2.2 Asking a question
2.3 How to reply
2.4 Thank you
2.5 I’m sorry
2.6 What do you think?
3.1 Introductions
3.2 I beg your pardon?
3.3 Starting/ending a conversation
3.4 A chat about the weather
3.5 Hobbies
3.6 Invitations
3.7 Paying a compliment
3.8 Intimate comments/questions
3.9 Congratulations and condolences
3.10 Arrangements
3.11 Being the host(ess)
3.12 Saying good-bye
4.1 At the restaurant
4.2 Ordering
4.3 The bill
4.4 Complaints
4.5 Paying a compliment
4.6 The menu
4.7 Alphabetical list of drinks and dishes
4.8 Well-known dishes
5.1 Asking directions
5.2 Traffic signs
5.3 The car The parts of a car
5.4 The gas station
5.5 Breakdowns and repairs