Shako Mako

The unique flavor of Iraqi colloquial dialect

By Adhid Miri, PhD

Part I

The Iraqi dialect, rich and diverse, embodies a linguistic heritage that stretches back to the early days of Mesopotamian civilization. This dialect, with its unique vocabulary and expressions, reflects centuries of cultural and linguistic evolution. Despite the influence of classical Arabic in official and media contexts, the Iraqi dialect remains a vibrant testament to the country’s historical and social complexity.

The roots of many Iraqi colloquial terms can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Aramaic, and Assyrian cultures. These civilizations have left a lasting imprint on the Iraqi language, contributing to a linguistic tapestry that is both historical and contemporary. However, the origins of many colloquial words are often overlooked by researchers, primarily due to the challenge of studying the dialect in depth and understanding the interplay of various ancient languages.

Languages evolve in response to cultural, social, economic, and political changes. The Iraqi dialect exemplifies this evolution, having absorbed elements from Turkish, Persian, English, and other languages. This integration reflects Iraq’s historical position as a crossroads of civilizations.

Linguistic Relics

An intriguing example of this linguistic heritage is the term “Shako Mako.” This Akkadian expression is used colloquially to inquire about recent news or developments in someone’s life. Shako Mako combines the Akkadian words aku (meaning “what”) and maku (meaning “not”) with a later Arabic addition, SH. This amalgamation of languages showcases how the Iraqi dialect has preserved ancient terms while adapting them to contemporary usage.

Another classic term is “Awaily” (or “Awai lakh/Ahwailakh”), a term used to express sorrow or distress. It originates from the Aramaic phrase Ah Eli (“Oh God”). The Aramaic influence reflects the deep historical roots of the Iraqi dialect, linking it to religious and cultural expressions from ancient times. AH (Sanskrit) is used to express understanding, pleasure, pain, surprise, or the fact that you have noticed something: “Ah, I see.” Eli is an Old Testament Aramaic word, a biblical male name that means high, elevated.

“Ah Eli” were the last few words said by the Lord Christ when He was hung on the cross. He looked up in the ninth hour and said, “Abba Eli Eli Lamma Shbachtani – which means “My Father and My God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22:1.

Regional Dialects and Their Distinctions

The diversity of Iraq’s geography and population contributes to a rich variety of dialects. From the north to the south, the dialects differ significantly, reflecting regional influences and historical factors.

The Baghdadi dialect, spoken in central Iraq, is known for its clarity and simplicity. It features unique elements such as the Turkish suffix -chi (originally Greek), used to denote professions or roles (e.g., Kababchi for a kebab vendor). This reflects the historical interactions between Baghdad and various cultures over the centuries.

In northern Iraq, the Mosul dialect (or Maslawi) is distinguished by its pronunciation of the letter Qaf, which is often pronounced as G (e.g., Qullo instead of Gulla). This dialect has historical connections to the Jewish community in Iraq, illustrating its diverse linguistic influences.

The Ambari dialect, found in western Iraq, combines elements of the Baghdadi and Bedouin dialects. This mixture results in a dialect rich in ancient Bedouin vocabulary and is known for its clear and light pronunciation, making it relatively easy for learners to grasp.

In Basra, the Basrawi dialect is closest to the Gulf dialect, incorporating elements from urban, Bedouin, Persian, Turkish, and Indian languages. This dialect reflects the historical and cultural exchanges that have shaped Basra’s linguistic landscape.

The Iraqi dialect has absorbed numerous words from ancient civilizations, including Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Aramaic, and Assyrian. These influences are evident in many everyday terms and expressions.

Ancient Influences

Words from Sumerian and Akkadian languages form a significant part of the Iraqi dialect. For instance:

Aku Maku (Shaku Maku): An Akkadian term meaning “What is the latest news or developments?” reflects a historical greeting used in ancient Iraq.

Asu: In Akkadian, this term means “doctor” or “knowledgeable person.”

Agrabba: The word for “scorpion” in Akkadian, which is still used in modern Iraqi Arabic.

Bushi (or Pushi): Refers to the veil/niqab. It’s an Akkadian word that means “cover.”

Bouri (or Buri): A water tap or its pipe. It is an old Akkadian word referring to the hollow reed of sedge.

Kebab: “Kababo” in Akkadian, this word meaning grilled meat has now become part of the American language.

Aramaic has also contributed to the Iraqi dialect, with words such as:

Azza: Meaning “severe strife” or “great calamity,” this term reflects the historical depth of the language.

Dibsho or Dashbo: Meaning “molasses” (or date syrup); also in Babylonian.

Gishra: Meaning “a bridge;” Gashro in Akkadian.

Masgouf: An Aramaic term for a skewer, used in the famous Iraqi dish Masgouf.

Tanura: Meaning “hearth” in Sumerian, “fire, light” in Aramaic and a place for baking in Akkadian.

Humor and the Culture

The humor in the Iraqi dialect often highlights cultural quirks and linguistic peculiarities. For example, a funny story from the mid-1960s involves Chaldeans working at a Coca-Cola factory in Detroit. One individual looked Iraqi, even had an Iraqi name, but pretended not to be Iraqi and declined to socialize with fellow Iraqi workers. He was eventually caught out when he screamed “Akh, Akh, Akh!” (meaning “Ouch”) after injuring his hand. As the term is uniquely Iraqi, this revealed his identity.

Understanding Iraqi culture involves more than just language. The daily life of Iraqis in the diaspora often reflects a strong connection to their heritage. For example, an Iraqi’s typical day in Michigan might include a morning routine of listening to Iraqi radio and enjoying a traditional breakfast, such as Samoon (a type of bread) and Gaymer (a local cheese).

Their afternoon may involve shopping and socializing, doctor’s appointments, or visiting local Iraqi markets, pharmacies, and social clubs, where interactions with fellow Iraqis are common. The evening’s activities might include socializing at Iraqi clubs, playing traditional games, and enjoying homemade Iraqi dishes.

At the end of an eventful night, one may stop and fill the gas tank at an Iraqi-owned gas station, by lottery tickets from an Iraqi liquor store, and then return home to say to a spouse, “By God, it is a tough life living in the USA. I am exhausted from alienation, boredom, and fatigue. Gone are the wonderful days in Iraq where ‘I used to live like a KING!’”

One might say Iraq has more kings than any other country…

To learn more about Iraqi culture, visit an Iraqi restaurant or market. Food is such a large part of the culture, along with faith and family.

The Iraqi dialect is a living testament to Iraq’s rich cultural and historical heritage. From ancient Sumerian roots to contemporary influences, the dialect reflects a unique blend of linguistic traditions and modern adaptations. The next part of this exploration will delve deeper into additional Iraqi colloquial terms and their meanings, further illustrating the richness and diversity of this fascinating language.

Sources: Iraq News Network, Wikipedia, Dr. Faleh Hassan Al-Assadi, Historian Taha Baqir, Ibrahim Al-Samarrai, Hanna Al-Aboudi, Moayyed Abdul Sattar, Majid Al-Khayat, Shakir Al-Timmimi, Dr. Ali Abdul Al-Wafi, Al-Mada News.