Browse Tag
mistranslation
15 posts
Mistranslation (ترجمة خاطئة): An incorrect or inaccurate translation of text or speech from one language to another, often leading to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the original meaning.
Rage Against the Machine
A full-blown machine translation meltdown on the official website of the German city of Erlangen officially rebranded the peaceful town as the new global headquarters for rage - at least, according to its own disastrous Arabic version.
Translating Taboos in Arabic Subtitles: Key Insights
Translating subtitles into Arabic is challenging due to cultural differences and social taboos. A study looked at how subtitles in the US sitcom "Two and a Half Men" dealt with these issues. Here are the key findings and techniques used by the subtitlers.
Meanings & Usage of بقى (ba2a) in Egyptian Arabic
The Egyptian Arabic word بقى (ba2a or ba'a) is highly versatile, carrying multiple meanings such as "to be," "to become," "no longer," or "to begin." This article explores its various functions in past and present tenses, its use in negation, as a modal verb, and as an adverb, providing clear examples for each context in Egyptian Colloquial Arabic.
How to Use Common Egyptian Arabic Phrases with ما (like ba’d ma & ‘abl ma)
The versatile word "ما" (ma) in Egyptian Arabic poses a challenge, often functioning as a linker rather than a negation. This article explores common Egyptian Arabic expressions where ما attaches to prepositions, adverbs, or nouns to connect phrases and clauses, clarifying its role as an adverbial particle with various meanings like "after," "until," or "as soon as."
Meanings of lissa (لِسّه) in Egyptian Arabic: still, just, not yet
The versatile Egyptian Arabic word "lissa" (لِسّه) often confuses beginners due to its multiple meanings: "still," "just," or "not yet." This article provides a clear breakdown of "lissa's" usage in affirmative and negative sentences, explaining how it combines with verbs and active participles to convey nuanced temporal meanings in Egyptian Colloquial Arabic.
Foreign Words in Arabic: Farsi, Greek, & Turkish (Part 1)
This is Part 1 of a series on the etymology of foreign words in Arabic. It delves into terms originating from Farsi, Ottoman Turkish, and Greek that are commonly used in Arabic dialects. Explore words like بَلْطَجِي (thug), شَنْطة (bag), and دَفْتَر (notebook), and learn about borrowed grammatical constructions like the -جِي suffix.
The Raised Index Finger in Islam: Symbol of Allah’s Unity
The gesture of raising the index finger, often seen in Islamic contexts, is a profound symbol of the unity of Allah. This article delves into the meaning of the Arabic term for index finger, "Musabbiha" (مُسَبِّحة), and explores related words like "Subhana Allah" (Praise Allah!) and "Misbaha" (rosary), clarifying its significance in Islam.
More Than “God is Great”: The True Meaning of Allahu ‘akbar – اللّٰه أكبر
Although uttered daily, translating "Allahu Akbar" (اللّٰه أكبر) presents a challenge due to the Arabic elative. This article explains why the phrase means "Allah is most great" or "Allah is greater than any other being," rather than just "Allah is great," delving into the grammatical nuances and common misunderstandings in translation.
How to Use Prepositions for Emphasis in Arabic: بِ and مِنْ
Arabic uses various devices to convey emphasis, including common prepositions like بِ (bi) and مِنْ (min) as "extra letters." This article explains how these prepositions lose their original directional meaning and instead serve to intensify the word that follows them, helping you add emphasis to your Arabic sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement in Arabic: Do Verbs Agree with “Many” or the Noun?
Subject-verb agreement in Arabic can be tricky, especially with quantifiers like العديد من ("many") and كُلّ ("all"). This article explores the concept of the "logical subject," clarifying whether verbs should agree with the quantifier (grammatical subject) or the noun that follows it (semantic/logical subject), providing examples and classical vs. common usage.
