"It's not really very common for Jews to speak Arabic, no," he says, switching immediately, and the difference is clear; he's much quicker and more precise in his word choice. He's actually quite good at it, much better than English, although it's hard to tell with that given how the city helps him out there. He still gestures broadly, a habit he's gotten into since picking up ASL. "We can take it as a second language in high school but it's optional, not like English. But I had... but my friends were from Palestine and it was easier for me to learn Arabic than for them to learn Hebrew. So."

By 'easier' he does mean 'possible in a timely manner,' in that he did cheat with magic. He was five and he wanted to communicate with his friend, it was at least harmless.