The letter “G” in Tunisian Arabic

In this article we will study the use of G in Tunisian Arabic. This article is part of a series that is examining all the letters (both Latin and Arabic scripts) that Tunisian Arabic speakers use to communicate. For a related article see The letter “F” in Tunisian Arabic.

The letter G is used amongst Tunisian Arabic speakers when they write using the Latin script. (Most write Tunisian Arabic using the Latin script—For more information on Tunisian Arabic, see the IBL article What is Tunisian Arabic?)

Using the Arabic script the letter G is written as:

ڨ

(An interesting side note — At the present time, using an Apple keyboard this letter is represented as ڤ. It’s available under the ف. (Latin script F) And although either design is understood, it’s thought that the ڨ (above and available in other keyboard systems) is a better representation of this letter, as it should be under the ق on a keyboard, not the ف)

In Standard Arabic (Fos7a / فصحى) the letter ڨ doesn’t exist. This letter is known to exist in at least the Arabic dialects: Algerian Arabic, Moroccan Arabic, & Tunisian Arabic.

In Tunisian Arabic, the G / ڨ has a “Ga” sound.

In this recording, IBL contributor, Aroua F., pronounces G- / –ڨ:

Here are three Tunisian Arabic words that use the letter G- / –ڨ:

• Mongela / منڨالة = “Watch” or “Clock” (as in the device)
• Mgharfa / مغرفة = “Spoon“
• Gedma / ڨدمة = “Bite” (the noun)

Aroua F. pronounces Mongela, Mgharfa & Gedma:

The letter Gh-

Using the Latin script, when an “h” follows a G it’s actually a different letter in the Arabic script and a different pronunciation. Using the Arabic script, Gh- is represented as:

غ

This pronunciation is produced further in the throat.

In this recording, Aroua F. pronounces Gh- / -غ:

Here are three Tunisian Arabic words that use Gh- / -غ:

• Mriguel / مريڨل = “Sounds good” (Depending on the context, Mriguel can be used to mean Sounds good, Okay, All good, etc.)
• Ghodwa / غدوة = “Tomorrow“
• Ghassela / غسّالة = “Washing machine“

Aroua F. pronounces Mriguel, Ghodwa & Ghassela:

Regional differences

In more southern parts of Tunisia (such as, but not exclusively, Tozeur / توزر) the letter ق is also pronounced more like a “Ga-” sound. But whether one is speaking in southern or northern sub-dialects, Tunisian Arabic speakers understand each other.

Latin-derived words

The letter G- / ڨ also shows up in Tunisian Arabic words that are derived from Latin-originating languages such French and Italian. Here are three examples:

• Spaghetti / سباڨتي = “Spaghetti” (derived from Italian)
• Gazon / ڨازون = “Grass” (derived from French)
• Gazouz / ڨازوز = “Soda / pop” (derived from French)

Aroua F. pronounces Spaghetti, Gazon & Gazouz:

G at the start of Arabic names

The letter G shows up in Arabic-oriented names as well. (As Gh- / –غ) Here are three examples:

• Ghassen / غسان (m)
• Ghada / غادة (f)
• Ghofrane / غفران (f)

As you can see, all three names above begin with Gh- / غ. Arabic-oriented names that begin with G- will always be followed by an h (so, Gh-). Hence, creating the Arabic letter غ. The reason is that Arabic oriented names are based on Fos7a, and as noted at the beginning of this article, the letter ڨ doesn’t exist in Fos7a.

Aroua F. pronounces Ghassen, Ghada & Ghofrane:

In summary

Knowing how to use the letter G (which includes Gh-, ڨ, غ, and more commonly amongst southern speakers, ق) is another building block in speaking and understanding Tunisian Arabic. If you want to start at the beginning of this series, here is the IBL article The letter “A” in Tunisian Arabic. If you want to study a word more exclusively, there is the IBL article A study: “What” in Tunisian Arabic. And remember that IBL has an extensive database of Tunisian Arabic words (over 5,400 principal words/phrases translated with recordings) — IBL Catalogue: Tunisian Arabic.

As always, we wish you a marvellous journey!