ARABIC VS ENGLISH WHICH IS THE KINDER LANGUAGE?
July 22, 2024On my many trips to Lebanon with my children and even when we were home in Australia and I would respond to them in Arabic, rather than English, they would ask me the meaning of the phrases or words I was using.
When I translated it for them they were so touched by the warmth, affection, kindness and tenderness of the Arabic expressions. Since I moved back to Beirut more than two years ago, my kids often visit me and one of the things they adore most about Lebanon and the Lebanese is the way we speak to one another.
This video by @studio.yamine reminded me of these moments and their reactions and so I wanted to share it with you so you too can experience and compare the way those brought up in the Arabic culture versus the English culture communicate with one another.
For decades and decades the Arabic culture has been synonimized with by terror, violence and hatred. Well judge for yourself and let me know what you think after watching this video.
You might say words are different to actions and you are right. But one of the reasons I wanted to move back to Lebanon was because the actions of the Lebanese and other Arabic speaking people including Palestinians and Syrians are even more pronounced in real life and so endearing.
KINDNESS is at their CORE. 🙏🏼❤️🇱🇧🍉🇵🇸🥰
If you advocate for TRUTH & JUSTICE, SHARE to spread the knowledge.
Inspired by @whitneyhansonpoetry ’s beautiful series
Background music by @gibranalbo
Fleece by @patagonia
English Script:
Yamine Daaboul: In English we say good night, but in Arabic we say tusbahe ala khair. Which means I hope you wake up to good news. In English, when someone congratulates you, we say thank you, but in Arabic we say Allah ybarek feeke, which means may God bless you. In English, when friends have visited, we say thank you for coming, but in Arabic we say nawartuna, which means you lit up our home with your presence. In English, when someone has finished showering, we don’t say anything, but in Arabic we say Naiman, which means to give a blessing. In English, we say I adore you, but in Arabic we say to to’brini, which means I would rather die and you bury me because of how unbearable it would be to live without you. In English, when someone is enjoying their meal, we say I am glad, but in Arabic we say Saha, which means I wish you good health. And the response to Saha in Arabic is at aa albek, which means to your heart.