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knowhutimean

Arabic translation: فاهم قصدي


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:knowhutImean
Arabic translation:فاهم قصدي
Entered by: Fuad Yahya
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17:51 May 4, 2005
English to Arabic translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Colloquialism
English term or phrase: knowhutimean
Hello,
This is called a catchphrase said by someone works as a rubber-faced comic. I am translating a text that gives information about this figure. I do not know whether this catchphrase is translated or transliterated. the"I" is not that clear in the text.It can be "I" or small "L". So can anyone explain it for me?If anyone has the answer,they could kindly send it. For tomorrow on,I will not be in a need for the translation.
Thank you in advance.
ashwaqz
Local time: 10:58
Do you know what I mean?
Explanation:
فاهم قصدي
Coloquially speaking.

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Note added at 8 mins (2005-05-04 17:59:26 GMT)
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Sorry, \"colloquially.\"

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Note added at 20 hrs 9 mins (2005-05-05 14:00:47 GMT) Post-grading
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The expression should not be transliterated. It should be translated. The translation should give a sense of the meaning of the expression, as well as the manner in which it is used.

The expression is a rhetorical question, not a real question. It is used as a filler and as a means to add dramatic, somewhat conspiratorial undertones to the speaker\'s communication. It is intended to make the listener more engaged in the conversation by appearing to be posing a question. It is also intended to give hints that there is more to the matter being discussed than what is being said. It can also be used as a way of gaining the listener\'s agreement.

It is amazing what such a little expression can do. It is no wonder it is used everywhere across many languages, including Arabic. The important thing to remember when you translate it is to avoid making the question sound like a real question (\"هل تفهم قصدي؟\"), as it is merely a rhetorical device. The variety of colloquial expressions cited by my collegues below (many thanks to them) give you a plenty of choices.
Selected response from:

Fuad Yahya
Grading comment
Think you so much for the translation and for the quickness.But I still wonder, when translating,shall it be transliterated,translated into the target language or left as it is? In fact I was given a suggestion that I am not convinced with and this is why I am asking you as professionals in translation?
Thank you again!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +10Do you know what I mean?Fuad Yahya


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +10
knowhutImean
Do you know what I mean?


Explanation:
فاهم قصدي
Coloquially speaking.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2005-05-04 17:59:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry, \"colloquially.\"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 hrs 9 mins (2005-05-05 14:00:47 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

The expression should not be transliterated. It should be translated. The translation should give a sense of the meaning of the expression, as well as the manner in which it is used.

The expression is a rhetorical question, not a real question. It is used as a filler and as a means to add dramatic, somewhat conspiratorial undertones to the speaker\'s communication. It is intended to make the listener more engaged in the conversation by appearing to be posing a question. It is also intended to give hints that there is more to the matter being discussed than what is being said. It can also be used as a way of gaining the listener\'s agreement.

It is amazing what such a little expression can do. It is no wonder it is used everywhere across many languages, including Arabic. The important thing to remember when you translate it is to avoid making the question sound like a real question (\"هل تفهم قصدي؟\"), as it is merely a rhetorical device. The variety of colloquial expressions cited by my collegues below (many thanks to them) give you a plenty of choices.

Fuad Yahya
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 40
Grading comment
Think you so much for the translation and for the quickness.But I still wonder, when translating,shall it be transliterated,translated into the target language or left as it is? In fact I was given a suggestion that I am not convinced with and this is why I am asking you as professionals in translation?
Thank you again!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  ahmadwadan.com
6 mins
agree  Rania K: or "فهمان علي"
47 mins
agree  Hazem Hamdy: or واخد بالك؟ or معايا؟
53 mins
agree  Saleh Ayyub
56 mins
agree  Mazyoun
1 hr
agree  Ziad Marzouka: هل تفهم قصدي؟
1 hr
  -> This would be perfect if it were a real, not a rhetorical, question.
agree  AhmedAMS
3 hrs
agree  Stephen Franke
7 hrs
agree  J. Akl
12 hrs
agree  Mohamed Elsayed
1 day13 hrs
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Changes made by editors
Jun 4, 2005 - Changes made by Fuad Yahya:
Term asked\"knowhutImean\" => knowhutimean
FieldOther => Art/Literary
Field (specific)Other => Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Field (write-in)social news.Someone died. => Colloquialism


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