Hassaniyya (Klem El Bithan) is the variety of Arabic originally spoken by the Beni Hassan Bedouin tribes, who extend their authority over most of Mauritania and the Western Sahara between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. It has almost completely replaced the Berber languages spoken in this region. Though clearly a western dialect, Hassaniya is relatively distant from other North African variants of Arabic. Its geographical location exposed it to influence from Zenaga and Wolof. There are several dialects of Hassaniya. The primary differences among them are phonetic. Today Hassaniya is spoken by inhabitants of Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Senegal and the Western Sahara. – Wikipedia

 

Greetings:

Some of these terms may be familiar to some of us as many of these are also used by Wolof speakers but perhaps pronounced a bit differently.

 

Is–selaamu aleykum – Peace be upon you
– We aleykum is–selaam – And on you, too
Ish haal is–sbaah – Good morning
Ish haal li–mgiil – Good afternoon
Ish haal li–mbaat – Good evening
Eyaak il–khayr? – Are you in peace?
– Il–khayr il–hamdulillaah – Peace only
Ish haalak? – How are you?
– Lebaas meshaallaah – I am fine
Ish haal usrtak? – How is the family?
– Lebaas liihum – They are fine
Ish haal ish–shaqle? – How is the work?
– Lebaas meshaallaah – It is fine
Ish haalak ma il–vetre? – How are you with tiredness?
– Lebaas meshaallaah – I am fine
Ish haal Soukeyna? – How is Soukeyna?
– Soukeyna lebaas liihe – Soukeyna is fine
Ish haal ishaashrtak? – How are your children?
– Lebaas liihum – They are fine
Merhbe! – Welcome!
Shukran! – Thank you!

 

From the Peace Corps. Go to: Hassaniya_Language_Lessons.pdf for more (PDF).