Many UK children have grandparents who speak Arabic. A short script makes calls less awkward and very special.
The call script
| Moment | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ | Peace be upon you |
| Ask | كَيْفَ حَالُكَ يَا جَدِّي؟ | How are you, Grandad? |
| To Grandma | كَيْفَ حَالُكِ يَا جَدَّتِي؟ | How are you, Grandma? |
| Reply | أَنَا بِخَيْرٍ، الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه | I’m well, alhamdulillah |
| Feelings | اِشْتَقْتُ إِلَيْكَ | I missed you |
| News | حَفِظْتُ سُورَةً جَدِيدَةً | I memorised a new surah |
| Goodbye | مَعَ السَّلَامَة / فِي أَمَانِ اللّٰه | Goodbye / in Allah’s protection |
About dialects
Grandparents may answer in Egyptian, Levantine, Iraqi, Moroccan or Gulf Arabic. Your child’s Standard Arabic is understood everywhere, and hearing dialect is good for listening skills. See standard Arabic or dialect?
Make every call count
- Prepare one piece of news in Arabic before each call.
- Your child recites their latest surah to their grandparents.
- Ask grandparents to teach one new word per call.
Teacher’s tip: grandparents are often the most patient Arabic teachers. A weekly 10-minute call can do more for a child’s Arabic than an extra lesson.
Related: How grandparents can help.
