I was trying to find out if individuals from Iraq and the Middle East
understand the concept of thought bubbles, you know the ones used in
cartoons? We are trying to develop a communication tool that would
include a picture of a person with thought bubbles above their heads.

Dear flutegirl-ga

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question.

Yes; by all means, draw away. The artistic thought bubble concept is
fairly universal. People from Middle Eastern countries (and many other
locations) who are capable of reading do understand the meaning of
this simple concept just as most other people in the world do. Here
are some examples:

ISLAM ONLINE
http://www.islam-online.net/Arabic/Cartoon/2004/03/images/pic04.jpg
http://www.islam-online.net/Arabic/Cartoon/2001/05/images/pic4.jpg
http://www.islam-online.net/Arabic/Cartoon/2001/09/images/pic5.jpg
http://www.islam-online.net/Arabic/Cartoon/2001/11/images/pic2.jpg
http://www.islam-online.net/Arabic/Cartoon/2001/11/images/pic3.jpg

AL-JAZEERA
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Cartoons/2003%20cartoons/cartoon%20negatives/2003/October/carjhntoon.gif
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Cartoons/2003%20cartoons/cartoon%20negatives/2003/June/inshabushdex.jpg

Examples of such cartoons are plentiful and were even used as
propaganda to reach even the common Iraqi, Muslim, Arabic, etc.
citizens ? who apparently also understood the concept very well.

IRAQI PROPAGANDA
?IRAQ'S PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE CAMPAIGN?
http://www.psywarrior.com/iraqprop.html

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/Bosnia/updates/dec95/12-04/bosnia_psych/iraqi_leaflet.gif


I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



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Arabic

Iraq

Iraqi

Afghanistan

Cartoon

Propaganda

Leaflet