The Syriac is translated into Arabic. It resembles African languages in that its verbs have no dual form.

The dual form is used like the dual in Arabic, for masculine and feminine, rational and irrational. Neither has a passive form. If a passive form is needed, they use the reflexive form, saying "la yudharrib wa la yudhan" (he is not struck and he is not prevented). Sometimes they omit the dual and say "intum attafaqtum" (you all agreed) instead of "intum attafaqtum" (you two agreed), or they use the dual form and say "dhamarhum" (they intended) instead of "bi-hammihim" (with their concern). This latter is a rule of the Syriac language, and therefore it is common in the Levant to use it.

They have also adopted many frequently used words, such as "ala," "saq," "ayyu," "ta'am," and "ta'am." They say "a'asuq," "halbit," and "takad" instead of "ja'aluhum," "buq," and "naktub." They omit the alif from some words, saying "raddat" (she returned) instead of "ardattu" (I wanted) and "ahad" (one) instead of "ahad" (one). They add the alif or change its position in some words, saying "al-hajat" in the Levant, "ahya" in Egypt, and "akil" and "akil" in Sudan.

The muta'allimun (scholars) have added the form "fa'ul" to the forms of exaggeration for endearment, saying "fudul," "masuk," and "futum" as endearments for the names Fadl, Mas'ud, and Fatimah. This form is frequently used in the speech of the common people.

These are the rules of the colloquial language and the changes that have occurred in the formal language in Egypt, Sudan, and the Levant in terms of pronunciation and grammatical rules. There are two other aspects that are not covered in the language: tone and accent. You will find differences in these not only between different countries but also between villages within the same country. This is common in all languages and countries.

This will be discussed when we talk about language in "Al-Mar'ah" (The Woman), God willing.

These examples have been appended to the index (arranged alphabetically) of the most unusual words and their explanations, to facilitate understanding. I have not added more to this explanation because the proverbs I have included in this collection are very simple and clear and do not require further clarification.

May God grant me success in presenting these proverbs, and praise be to God in all circumstances.

Cairo, October 1906.