More fun: Anguished Arabic

danceswithblades · 05-01-2008, 02:10 AM

As if I haven't already frittered enough time: challenge to post the most comical translation of a song.

My submission, for a song title that has mystified me for 30 years:
George Abdo's "Bathed in Love". I realized it is an anguished translation of the first line:
"Waddee luh salaameh ya tayr il-hamam"
[O dove, fly to him and give him my greetings...]

I can only imagine that George thought he heard "hammam" [bathroom] instead of hamam [dove]. I hope he wasn't wondering why the original singer was asking the object of his love to take a salami sandwich to the bathroom!

Mosaic · 05-01-2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danceswithblades

As if I haven't already frittered enough time: challenge to post the most comical translation of a song.

My submission, for a song title that has mystified me for 30 years:
George Abdo's "Bathed in Love". I realized it is an anguished translation of the first line:
"Waddee luh salaameh ya tayr il-hamam"
[O dove, fly to him and give him my greetings...]

I can only imagine that George thought he heard "hammam" [bathroom] instead of hamam [dove]. I hope he wasn't wondering why the original singer was asking the object of his love to take a salami sandwich to the bathroom!

That is hilarious. makes one wonder what you may be dancing to at times
~Mosaic

Pia · 05-01-2008, 08:41 AM

I played a song to an Arabic speaking friend and wondered why he was laughing-apparently the chorus had been (mistranslated?) as i have not seen tables for a long time

Aniseteph · 05-01-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danceswithblades

I hope he wasn't wondering why the original singer was asking the object of his love to take a salami sandwich to the bathroom!

Sometimes you just need a salami sandwich... (not me, can't stand the stuff).

I've always wondered about the Hossam Ramzy track "Night Foal". If it's night FALL, ooh, lovely mental images. I just don't see a baby horse...

Eshta · 05-02-2008, 12:03 AM

Knowing Hossam it is likely to be 'foal'. He's actually a keen horseman when he's not telling us off for not dancing to the music! I'll ask him on Saturday, when I will get told off big time for not doing my homework (and no, going to the nile festival won't be a valid excuse)!!!

05-01-2008, 02:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
danceswithblades Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 46	More fun: Anguished Arabic As if I haven't already frittered enough time: challenge to post the most comical translation of a song. My submission, for a song title that has mystified me for 30 years: George Abdo's "Bathed in Love". I realized it is an anguished translation of the first line: "Waddee luh salaameh ya tayr il-hamam" [O dove, fly to him and give him my greetings...] I can only imagine that George thought he heard "hammam" [bathroom] instead of hamam [dove]. I hope he wasn't wondering why the original singer was asking the object of his love to take a salami sandwich to the bathroom!

05-02-2008, 12:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Eshta Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 328	Knowing Hossam it is likely to be 'foal'. He's actually a keen horseman when he's not telling us off for not dancing to the music! I'll ask him on Saturday, when I will get told off big time for not doing my homework (and no, going to the nile festival won't be a valid excuse)!!! __________________ Saqarah - London's monthly Belly Dance Hafla!

05-01-2008, 08:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Pia Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cearleon Wales Posts: 101	I played a song to an Arabic speaking friend and wondered why he was laughing-apparently the chorus had been (mistranslated?) as i have not seen tables for a long time