Saad's Bel Arabi -- something's getting lost in translation?

sedoniaraqs · 06-20-2008, 12:19 PM

Are there any Arabic speakers here who can help me with this? I found a translation for Saad's Bel Arabi but after reading I still don't fully understand wht the song is about. I don't know if the translation is too literal and there is metaphor being lost or what. Any comments?

This was posted on Tribe, credited to Hiba:

"Bell Arabi" - Saad

Wake up,
wake up

Let’s speak in Arabic lest we start an argument,
let's speak in Arabic because I don't want to enter mazes

My heart is my hand and no one is dear to me
And the one who will play games with my heart is not created yet

Wake up
wake up

Who are u?
what are u?
I don't want to hear your voice and leave yourself to me because you drove me crazy
I will come to you and you will love me by force
You forgot that my heart forget it's because you still don't know me yet
As you like, go away and mind your business
As u like boss, and now you how to speak out?

wake up
wake up

Who are u to light my fire?
i said i want you so i want you, your stubbornness is not my way
And if u like it tell me and if u don't i don’t care
don't be obstinate because you will show consent, i don't care about your obstinacy

Don’t talk a lot with me and don't make a scene
i am your destiny i swear i won't let you go

let us speak in Arabic so that we don't argue ,
let us speak in Arabic because i don't want to enter mazes

My heart is my hand and no one is dear to me
And the one who will play games with my heart is not created yet

Translated by Heba
07/03/07

gypsy8522 · 06-20-2008, 07:21 PM

Sedonia,

Can you clarify what exactly you don't fully understand about the song?

The first part is similar to saying "Lets get this all straight, in plain english", in arabic we say "bel arabi keda" or "bel baladi keda"

Not sure about the rest, have to listen to the song.

Many of Saad El Soghayer's lyrics don't make a lot of sense anyway.

Caroline_afifi · 06-20-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedoniaraqs

Are there any Arabic speakers here who can help me with this? I found a translation for Saad's Bel Arabi but after reading I still don't fully understand wht the song is about. I don't know if the translation is too literal and there is metaphor being lost or what. Any comments?

This was posted on Tribe, credited to Hiba:

"Bell Arabi" - Saad

Wake up,
wake up

Let’s speak in Arabic lest we start an argument,
let's speak in Arabic because I don't want to enter mazes

My heart is my hand and no one is dear to me
And the one who will play games with my heart is not created yet

Wake up
wake up

Who are u?
what are u?
I don't want to hear your voice and leave yourself to me because you drove me crazy
I will come to you and you will love me by force
You forgot that my heart forget it's because you still don't know me yet
As you like, go away and mind your business
As u like boss, and now you how to speak out?

wake up
wake up

Who are u to light my fire?
i said i want you so i want you, your stubbornness is not my way
And if u like it tell me and if u don't i don’t care
don't be obstinate because you will show consent, i don't care about your obstinacy

Don’t talk a lot with me and don't make a scene
i am your destiny i swear i won't let you go

let us speak in Arabic so that we don't argue ,
let us speak in Arabic because i don't want to enter mazes

My heart is my hand and no one is dear to me
And the one who will play games with my heart is not created yet

Translated by Heba
07/03/07

nice, a dance with a two fingered salute in it me thinks.

sedoniaraqs · 06-20-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy8522

Sedonia,

Can you clarify what exactly you don't fully understand about the song?

The first part is similar to saying "Lets get this all straight, in plain english", in arabic we say "bel arabi keda" or "bel baladi keda"

Not sure about the rest, have to listen to the song.

Many of Saad El Soghayer's lyrics don't make a lot of sense anyway.

Hi Gypsy8522:

Thanks for the reply. I guess I just wanted to make sure there wasn't any metaphorical meaning I was missing, or double entendre, that kind of thing. I know some of his songs are rather naughty.

Sedonia

06-20-2008, 12:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
sedoniaraqs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cultural wasteland of the midwestern US Posts: 546	Saad's Bel Arabi -- something's getting lost in translation? Are there any Arabic speakers here who can help me with this? I found a translation for Saad's Bel Arabi but after reading I still don't fully understand wht the song is about. I don't know if the translation is too literal and there is metaphor being lost or what. Any comments? This was posted on Tribe, credited to Hiba: "Bell Arabi" - Saad Wake up, wake up Let’s speak in Arabic lest we start an argument, let's speak in Arabic because I don't want to enter mazes My heart is my hand and no one is dear to me And the one who will play games with my heart is not created yet Wake up wake up Who are u? what are u? I don't want to hear your voice and leave yourself to me because you drove me crazy I will come to you and you will love me by force You forgot that my heart forget it's because you still don't know me yet As you like, go away and mind your business As u like boss, and now you how to speak out? wake up wake up Who are u to light my fire? i said i want you so i want you, your stubbornness is not my way And if u like it tell me and if u don't i don’t care don't be obstinate because you will show consent, i don't care about your obstinacy Don’t talk a lot with me and don't make a scene i am your destiny i swear i won't let you go let us speak in Arabic so that we don't argue , let us speak in Arabic because i don't want to enter mazes My heart is my hand and no one is dear to me And the one who will play games with my heart is not created yet Translated by Heba 07/03/07

06-20-2008, 07:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
gypsy8522 Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 471	Sedonia, Can you clarify what exactly you don't fully understand about the song? The first part is similar to saying "Lets get this all straight, in plain english", in arabic we say "bel arabi keda" or "bel baladi keda" Not sure about the rest, have to listen to the song. Many of Saad El Soghayer's lyrics don't make a lot of sense anyway.