Authentic Italian style
Authentic Italian style restaurant featuring cut to order steaks, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and pizzas and several salad options. Spacious Banquet rooms available perfect for corporate events and meetings, family celebrations, weddings and showers. CULTURE & HISTORY Simply delicious food served by the finest Professionals Private banquet rooms for groups from 20-150 people CASUAL DINING AT IT’S BEST Authentic Italian style restaurant featuring cut to order steaks, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and pizzas and several salad options. Spacious Banquet rooms available perfect for corporate CASUAL events DINING and AT meetings, ITS BEST family celebrations, weddings and showers. Authentic Italian style restaurant featuring cut to order steaks, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and pizzas and several salad options. Spacious Banquet rooms available perfect for corporate events and meetings, family celebrations, weddings and showers. Simply delicious food served by the finest Professionals CASUAL DINING AT ITS BEST 5600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan 248.813.0700 ◆ www.loccino.com PATIO NOW OPEN! 5600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan 248.813.0700 ◆ www.loccino.com SHAKO MAKO continued from page 36 In Basra, the Basrawi dialect is closest to the Gulf dialect, incorporating elements from urban, Bedouin, Persian, Turkish, and Indian languages. This dialect reflects the historical and cultural exchanges that have shaped Basra’s linguistic landscape. The Iraqi dialect has absorbed numerous words from ancient civilizations, including Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Aramaic, and Assyrian. These influences are evident in many everyday terms and expressions. Ancient Influences Words from Sumerian and Akkadian languages form a significant part of the Iraqi dialect. For instance: Aku Maku (Shaku Maku): An Akkadian term meaning “What is the latest news or developments?” reflects a historical greeting used in ancient Iraq. Asu: In Akkadian, this term means “doctor” or “knowledgeable person.” Agrabba: The word for “scorpion” in Akkadian, which is still used in modern Iraqi Arabic. Bushi (or Pushi): Refers to the veil/ niqab. It’s an Akkadian word that means “cover.” Bouri (or Buri): A water tap or its pipe. It is an old Akkadian word referring to the hollow reed of sedge. Kebab: “Kababo” in Akkadian, this word meaning grilled meat has now become part of the American language. Aramaic has also contributed to the Iraqi dialect, with words such as: Azza: Meaning “severe strife” or “great calamity,” this term reflects the historical depth of the language. Dibsho or Dashbo: Meaning “molasses” (or date syrup); also in Babylonian. Gishra: Meaning “a bridge;” Gashro in Akkadian. Masgouf: An Aramaic term for a skewer, used in the famous Iraqi dish Masgouf. Tanura: Meaning “hearth” in Sumerian, “fire, light” in Aramaic and a place for baking in Akkadian. Humor and the Culture The humor in the Iraqi dialect often highlights cultural quirks and linguistic peculiarities. For example, a funny story from the mid-1960s involves Chaldeans working at a Coca-Cola factory in Detroit. One individual looked Iraqi, even had an Iraqi name, but pretended not to be Iraqi and declined to socialize with fellow Iraqi workers. He was eventually caught out when he screamed “Akh, Akh, Akh!” (meaning “Ouch”) after injuring his hand. As the term is uniquely Iraqi, this revealed his identity. Understanding Iraqi culture involves more than just language. The daily life of Iraqis in the diaspora often reflects a strong connection to their heritage. For example, an Iraqi’s typical day in Michigan might include a morning routine of listening to Iraqi radio and enjoying a traditional breakfast, such as Samoon (a type of bread) and Gaymer (a local cheese). Their afternoon may involve shopping and socializing, doctor’s appointments, or visiting local Iraqi markets, pharmacies, and social clubs, where interactions with fellow Iraqis are common. The evening’s activities might include socializing at Iraqi clubs, playing traditional games, and enjoying homemade Iraqi dishes. At the end of an eventful night, one may stop and fill the gas tank at an Iraqi-owned gas station, by lottery tickets from an Iraqi liquor store, and then return home to say to a spouse, “By God, it is a tough life living in the USA. I am exhausted from alienation, boredom, and fatigue. Gone are the wonderful days in Iraq where ‘I used to live like a KING!’” One might say Iraq has more kings than any other country… To learn more about Iraqi culture, visit an Iraqi restaurant or market. Food is such a large part of the culture, along with faith and family. The Iraqi dialect is a living testament to Iraq’s rich cultural and historical heritage. From ancient Sumerian roots to contemporary influences, the dialect reflects a unique blend of linguistic traditions and modern adaptations. The next part of this exploration will delve deeper into additional Iraqi colloquial terms and their meanings, further illustrating the richness and diversity of this fascinating language. SOURCES: IRAQ NEWS NETWORK, WIKIPEDIA, DR. FALEH HASSAN AL-ASSADI, HISTORIAN TAHA BAQIR, IBRAHIM AL-SAMARRAI, HANNA AL-ABOUDI, MOAYYED ABDUL SATTAR, MAJID AL-KHAYAT, SHAKIR AL- TIMMIMI, DR. ALI ABDUL AL-WAFI, AL-MADA NEWS. 38 CHALDEAN NEWS OCTOBER 2024
ESL ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE September 9, 2024 – January 24, 2025 ESL 1 AND 2: PRE-LITERACY TO HIGH BEGINNER • Conversational Skills • Writing • Reading • Vocabulary and pronunciation • Speaking focused on social conversations and familiar topics Monday – Thursday: 1:00p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Preparing ESL learners to use the English language in the real world! ESL 3: INTERMEDIATE • Advanced conversational skills • Writing • Reading • Grammar • Vocabulary and pronunciation • Helps students speak quickly on a wide range of topics Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. REGISTRATION FEE Books and materials included. GED SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 – JANUARY 24, 2025 In-person classes that allow students to learn the information to pass their GED test (General Education Development Test or high school equivalency). Offered in the four subjects needed to pass the GED: • Math • Science • Social Studies • Reading Language Arts Math Monday – Thursday | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Reading Language Arts Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Winter semester: Science and Social Studies Perfect for individuals hoping to advance in their careers or attend college! REGISTRATION FEE Books, materials, and testing costs included. 3601 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48310 | www.chaldeanfoundation.org To register, contact Rachel Hall at rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org or call (586) 722-7253 OCTOBER 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 39
