What language is spoken in Wadi Rum?

Wadi Rum is a popular tourist site located in southern Jordan, known for its beautiful landscapes of mountains and deserts. This southern region is populated by Bedouin tribes, originally from Saudi Arabia when desert borders did not exist!

Wadi Rum desert is mainly composed of 2 tribes The Al Zalabieh tribe of Rum and the Al Zawaideih Tribe of the neighboring village of Ad Diseh all 2 come from the same Al Enezi tribe one of the branches of the Saudi Royal Family.

Originally the Bedouins are a nomadic ethnic group that has been moving through the deserts of the Middle East for centuries. They have their own dialect, Bedouin Arabic (Bedawi) is slightly different from standard Arabic. Bedouin Arabic is characterized by unique expressions and words that are used to describe the peculiarities of life in the desert.

However, most Bedouins also speak Jordanian Arabic, which is spoken throughout Jordan, although modern standard Arabic remains the official language of writing, it is taught in all schools in Jordan including the schools in the villages of Rum and Diseh!

Most Bedouins understand the dialects of North Africa. However, if the Bedouins go to Aqaba and Amman, the locals will not understand them, which gives a definite advantage to Bedouins who can communicate everything discreetly without being understood by urban populations except Bedouins who have emigrated to the cities to mainly take positions in the army or police.

English is the second language of the country, originally Jordan was a former British colony (English has been spoken since 1946), the language is taught as a compulsory language from the smallest classes to universities, because the labour market requires frequent use of the English language.

Most Bedouins therefore speak English, due to the development of tourism. They learned English at school even if the level taught is very rudimentary in desert villages, it is mainly by working with tourists from their earliest ages that their English has perfected.

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Very amused to exchange a few words with their hosts from all over the world. They are also able to retain typical words in each language. In French they are fimpressive, because some Bedouins who came to train in climbing in the French mountains about twenty years ago, brought back in their luggage all the good old French cult expressions and passed them on to their families who themselves entrusted them to their children, like a precious treasure to safeguard 😉

night in the camp Wadi Rum

This is how the new generations continue the tradition and enjoy bringing out these ” gem of the French language” whenever the opportunity arises… we prefer to leave you the surprise and pleasure of discovering them once in tour with your guide!

Do not hesitate on your side to ask them to learn a few words of Arabic, they will be proud to play teachers and honored by your interest in their language and culture!

Here are some basic words in Arabic good to know:

“Marhaba” (hello), “Shukran” (thank you), and “Ma’a Salama” (goodbye)