An introduction to Basra Arabic, a dialect spoken in southern Iraq, printed for British and British Indian soldiers serving in Basra during the Mesopotamian Campaign of the First World War. Initially published in 1915, it was distributed to the officers and men of Indian Expeditionary Force "D", who were the first unit to arrive in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) from India in November 1914. Since they likely knew little Arabic, they would have needed a language guide with the most important words and phrases. The work was meant to ease verbal communication only, as the Basra words were transliterated to Roman script.
As British presence in Mesopotamia continued to grow, more copies of the work were needed and the second edition was published in 1916. The target audience of the work becomes clear once you read it, as it focuses largely on military terms. There are translations for weapons, different ranks in the army, and phrases as "was he wounded?" and "did you see any troops there?". Also included are notes on the pronounciation, a short grammar, and translations of animals, foods and drinks, body parts and numerals.
The wrappers are somewhat stained and scuffed, the upper outer corner is bumped. With a water stain and smaller (presumed) oil stain on the fore-edge of all leaves. Otherwise in good condition.