Saeed explains his country's heritage. — Al-Iqtasadiyah photo NAJRAN – Saeed Jaman Al-Saeed is a Saudi man in his 70s who never received a formal education and can barely read or write Arabic. Yet despite this he can communicate in three foreign languages – French, German and English, which he learned while working for Saudi Aramco 50 years ago. “I used to work for 12 hours a day in Aramco where I learned how to speak English although I could hardly write my name in Arabic. But during my communication with foreigners in Aramco every day for more than 20 years I acquired some spoken skills,” he said, Al-Iqtasadiyah reported Thursday. After Al-Saeed retired he returned to his hometown Najran where he works as a guide for foreign tourists who visit its famous archeological sites. He knows by heart the region's history, customs and traditions, which greatly aids him in his work as a tourist guide. “Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities SCTA, exempted me from the tests usually taken by tourist guides,” Al-Saeed said. “I have been licensed as a guide because of my long experience in the field and good command in English,” he added.
