Travel

29 Things You Should Never Do In Iraq

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Don’t Assume Everyone Understands Arabic Or English

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Even though the most widely spoken language in Iraq is Arabic, particularly Mesopotamian Arabic, not everyone speaks the language, especially in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Arabic language is no longer taught in Kurdish schools after Saddam Hussein’s genocidal campaign and invasion of their territory. This drastic measure was taken by the Kurdish government to uphold their national pride and identity, distinct from Arabs. Kurdish is the second most spoken language in Iraq, followed by a Turkish dialect and several Neo-Aramaic languages. Many young, well-educated people can speak English, as well as hotel and restaurant staff and some street vendors, but not everyone understands the language. With the rest of Iraqis, you might have to rely on sign language or Google Translate when asking for directions or assistance. There are also some locals who can speak French, German, and Swedish. These were refugees who fled the country many years ago and have recently returned home.

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