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German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / nationality | | German term or phrase: Halbaraber | Hello all,
I'm working on a fiction synopsis in which someone is described as a "Halbaraber". He's the son of a Caucasian woman and an "arabisch stämmiger Mann". I don't know where exactly his father comes from, and I don't get the impression that it's important in the text. I am not sure, however, how to translate it in today's PC climate!
Would it be appropriate to describe someone as "half-Arab"? This sounds like a horse to me! And what about his father? Is "man of Arab(ian) descent" ok? Or do I need to know more about their origins in order to translate this properly?
Would be very grateful for any advice! |
| | | half-Arab | Explanation:
As an Arab, I can tell you that this sounds PC enough!
I would avoid "Arabian" here as well as "Arabian descent" 1) because it may sound to some like "Arabian horse" and 2) because Arab is not the same as Arabian. "Arab" refers to anyone from Morocco to Iraq, while "Arabian" only refers to the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries...)
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Note added at 8 mins (2008-03-27 15:57:04 GMT)
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Ok, I just realised that "Arab" is used for horses almost as much as "Arabian", so please ignore my first point and focus on the second.
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Note added at 11 mins (2008-03-27 15:59:43 GMT)
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That's alright, Hillary! The number of times people asked me to "translate into Arabian" (esp. German clients)!
I think "of Arab descent" works very well for "arabisch stämmiger Mann".
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Note added at 11 mins (2008-03-27 16:00:04 GMT)
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Sorry - Hi*l*ary!
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Note added at 20 mins (2008-03-27 16:09:19 GMT)
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I'm pretty sure that linguistically half-Arab is correct - the term's just been hijacked by the horsing world! Also, its use may not be that common because people usually refer to the specific Arab nationality (half-Iraqi or whatever).
You can try googling
half-arab -horse -horses |
| Selected response from:
Nesrin
Local time: 13:19
| Grading comment Thank you so much for all the useful information you provided, Nesrin - this was a tricky term for me and I really didn't want to put my foot in it! Your help was much appreciated ;-).
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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| Discussion entries: 0 |
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Automatic update in 00:
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4 mins confidence:  
8 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): -1 Half Asian
Explanation:
just a suggestion - imho the German just signifies that his father is from somewhere in the Middle East, not specifically Saudi Arabia or the Emirates etc.
| | | Notes to answerer
Asker: I know... this is the main problem in trying to get an accurate translation. I've requested a nationality from the client, so we'll see....
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4 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +8 half-Arab
Explanation:
As an Arab, I can tell you that this sounds PC enough!
I would avoid "Arabian" here as well as "Arabian descent" 1) because it may sound to some like "Arabian horse" and 2) because Arab is not the same as Arabian. "Arab" refers to anyone from Morocco to Iraq, while "Arabian" only refers to the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries...)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2008-03-27 15:57:04 GMT)
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Ok, I just realised that "Arab" is used for horses almost as much as "Arabian", so please ignore my first point and focus on the second.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2008-03-27 15:59:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
That's alright, Hillary! The number of times people asked me to "translate into Arabian" (esp. German clients)!
I think "of Arab descent" works very well for "arabisch stämmiger Mann".
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2008-03-27 16:00:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Sorry - Hi*l*ary!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2008-03-27 16:09:19 GMT)
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I'm pretty sure that linguistically half-Arab is correct - the term's just been hijacked by the horsing world! Also, its use may not be that common because people usually refer to the specific Arab nationality (half-Iraqi or whatever).
You can try googling
half-arab -horse -horses
| Nesrin
Local time: 13:19
Native speaker of: Arabic
PRO pts in category: 20
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| | Grading comment | Thank you so much for all the useful information you provided, Nesrin - this was a tricky term for me and I really didn't want to put my foot in it! Your help was much appreciated ;-). |
| Notes to answerer
Asker: That is so helpful, Nesrin, thank you! How would I translate "arabisch stämmiger Mann"? "man of Arab appearance"? Please excuse my ignorance on this!
Asker: I had the same problem with "half-Arab" - googling it brings up horse references! - so was wondering if was OK to use for a person!
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The translation workplace 
