As part of the VICAV project, the collection and transcription of sample text recordings is embedded in a transnational comparison of Arab dialect varieties. At the same time, the possibility to compare sample text readings of so many different reference points within just one country is unique within this project!

Working on the spot, Ilona, Aleksandra and Franziska sometimes had to remind their interviewees to keep on talking their dialect – ­and not just reading the given text as it is written. Working on its transcription, nevertheless, means going much more into details and focusing on the linguistic nuances.

Aleksandra reports:

Testour is a small town located in the North West Tunisian governorate of Beja and situated on the hills of the Medjerda Valley. The population of Testour is famous for its Andalusian origin. The modern town occupies the site of the Roman settlement Tichilla which was granted to Andalusian refugees in 1609.

As for the town’s tourist attractions, the main one is the Great Mosque built in Andalusian style in the 17^th century.

Furthermore, Testour hosts a yearly international festival of mālūf (traditional Maghrebi music of Andalusian origin). The Andalusian roots of the inhabitants are also reflected in the lexis of the dialect of Testour, namely in some Andalusian Spanish loanwords.

However, the working conditions are not that easy for the researchers. Tunisia’s scorching sun means that locals rarely leave their homes throughout the day during summer months. Interviewees are hard to catch as they are usually found at home, enjoying a siesta in the shade. These circumstances demand late-night hours interviewing those who are available after their afternoon naps. Being flexible allowed us to adapt to the timing and availability of potential interview partners.

Nonetheless, the lack of infrastructure often restricted our eager plans. Many regions – rural areas and small towns – do not offer any public transportation after five o’clock. Sometimes there is even no connection before five! Our partial reliance on local guides had somewhat of an impact on our schedules, and meant that early mornings, coupled with evening ḥōš-assemblies*, were the general order of the day – taking every opportunity for Franziska and Aleksandra to catch valuable sleep. Ilona, for her part, acquired a taste for the local’s daily rhythm and happily adopted their siesta custom gaylūla.

 

All the more, we are very satisfied with our fieldtrip’s outcome: The work in the governorates Beja and Siliana is completed, the wide parts of the governorate El Kef covered and even first sites in Jendouba opened up. Moreover, though working separately in different governorates, our researcher team manages to meet up in the capital for a joint lunch, strong hugs and to compare their notes and as their trip draws to its close.

* ḥōš: depending on the Tunisian dialect variety, the word ḥōš, also pronounced ḥūš, can imply either the meaning “house” or – as in this case – “courtyard”, in which family members, neighbours and friends gather in summer nights. People tell stories and jokes and sometimes even sing songs during those late-night assemblies.

After a short period of discussing the questionnaires and formalities at the institute, the team is ready for the new challenge of fieldwork. As the best way to become familiar with the field research is conducting it in situ, Aleksandra and Ilona start with their first interviews in Tunisia. Heading for the northern governorates Beja and Siliana, the investigation begins.

Looking back on her first field trip, Ilona reports: