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21:07 Jan 30, 2008
Arabic to German translations [PRO] Art/Literary - History / Religion, Archaeology, Mythology
Arabic term or phrase:Chajjal (Dajjal?)
Dear colleagues,
I would greatly appreciate your assistance in this case.
I am currently working on a translation of a Karl May book set in late 19th-early 20th century Egypt. The title is 'Im Lande des Mahdi' [engl: In the Kingdom of Mahdi; The Kingdom of Mahdi]. Karl May is well-known for his precise research in the socio-cultural science of his century which made him an unpopular man among his fellow (post-)colonial citizens. In this case however, whether or not he 'got it right'.
I am looking for the following term: Chajjal .... my research has not brought any results. My Jordanian colleague suggested he might have confused Chajjal with Dajjal which would make perfect sense within the concept of Mahdi.
My question to you is, has anyone heard of Chajjal and knows what he is?
Unfortunately, I am only able to provide you with a sample of the source text in German:
Ein Chajjal.
Die Siegreiche, »El Káhira« und »Bauwaabe el bilad esch schark«, das Thor des Orientes, so nennt der Aegypter die Hauptstadt seines Landes. Wenn die erstere Bezeichnung längst nicht mehr am Platze ist, so besteht die zweite doch zu vollem Recht. Kairo ist wirklich die Pforte des Ostens.
Explanation: Wenn es nicht wie Günther gesagt hat, also Dajjal, dann meint er vielleicht KHajjal: Ritter. Vom arabischen KHAIL (Pferd).
Wobei könnte es wirklich Dajjal sein, denn viele Muslime glauben an Imam Mahdi (der 12. bei den Schiiten) und viele glauben auch an einen "Doppelgänger" und Betruger, der أعور الدجال heißt. Das heißt: der Lügner. Er würde behaupten er wäre der Imam Mahdi.
Du kannst also den passenden Vorschlag nehmen.
I may be wrong, but isn't it true that Karl May's stories aren't exactly culturally (historically/linguistically) accurate? So he may have just made up a word that sounds Arabic. I personally don't know an Arabic word "خلاج".
You didn't post it under Ar>En though, you may get the most results there. If you do, it may be useful to point out that the German "Ch" is equivalent to the English "Kh", or Arabic خ.
Yes, I am aware of that. The book is 600 something pages long. Chapter One is called: Ein Chajjal. The introductory part refers to the settings of the story itself. I believe Chajjal is a historical or religious name referring to a person (or believe). I was hoping someone had heard of this name before. I have posted my question in all possible language whose speakers might have been in contact with the name.
Der Text enthält das gesuchte Wort nicht, daher kann ich so nicht helfen...
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Answers
40 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
Chajjal / Dajjal
Explanation: Wenn es nicht wie Günther gesagt hat, also Dajjal, dann meint er vielleicht KHajjal: Ritter. Vom arabischen KHAIL (Pferd).
Wobei könnte es wirklich Dajjal sein, denn viele Muslime glauben an Imam Mahdi (der 12. bei den Schiiten) und viele glauben auch an einen "Doppelgänger" und Betruger, der أعور الدجال heißt. Das heißt: der Lügner. Er würde behaupten er wäre der Imam Mahdi.
Du kannst also den passenden Vorschlag nehmen.
sandouk Germany Local time: 13:04 Specializes in field Native speaker of: Arabic PRO pts in category: 3
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hi Sandouk :) Thank you for your suggestion. I have been able to fins out that Chajjal is actually a Dutch term (no idea why Karl May used it) referring to one eyed devil - Dajjal that would be I assume (from a Dutch perspective). :) Thanks a lot, you helped me very much!
Asker: Hello again, so Chajjal really is Dajjal and with this I weill close the answer. I liked your version as well though, it reminds me of all those head-less horsemen striving through horror tales :) ... Karl May does refer to a one eyed devil (a kind of mythological being, the Dajjal had been into by the Dutch) but your version is quite fascinating too, so thank you ever so much for your help. The same goes to everyone who contributed to this entry. Frauke :)
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +2
