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الكبسات اليدوية
المديدة

Glossary entry

Arabic term or phrase:

مناد

English translation:

Crier / Public crier

Added to glossary by Arabic & More
May 16, 2011 11:46
13 yrs ago
Arabic term

مناد

Arabic to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
In the European or American context, I would translate this word as "town crier" or "herald." But in the text I am working on, the setting is one of the old sultanates of Africa, and it feels wrong to use "town crier" -- kind of like how you would translate وزير as "vizier" and not "minister" because of the time period. Does anyone have a good suggestion on what مناد could be and still sound authentic?
Proposed translations (English)
4 Crier / Public crier
4 +2 Caller
4 +1 Bellman, Town crier

Discussion

Samaa Zeitoun May 16, 2011:
Town crier is fine. I wouldn't use the alternative "Bellman" in an Islamic context because the use of bells is generally discouraged in Islam (Makruh) so it's very unlikely that Muslim town criers used them.
Arabic & More (asker) May 16, 2011:
That is quite possible. Just want to see what other ideas might be out there. :)
Nadia Ayoub May 16, 2011:
I think it's quite appropriate.
Arabic & More (asker) May 16, 2011:
It just sounds like a more European thing. I haven't heard of town criers in Africa or under the old Islamic empires, so I am trying to determine if they were called something else (again, same idea as vizier vs. minister).
Nadia Ayoub May 16, 2011:
Then what's wrong about "town crier"?
Arabic & More (asker) May 16, 2011:
Historical (and fictional, as well).
Nadia Ayoub May 16, 2011:
Is this a historical context, or are you talking about the present time?
Arabic & More (asker) May 16, 2011:
Thank you, Nadia. It is basically a town crier working in the sultan's court. He is the person who goes around the town making announcements on the sultan's behalf. This was one of the only ways official information could be disseminated before newspapers, television, and other media.
Nadia Ayoub May 16, 2011:
Hi Amel, Some context would be helpful. Thank you!

Proposed translations

23 hrs
Selected

Crier / Public crier

Hi there,
I believe "Crier" alone will do, check this translation of "1001 Arabian Nights " page 80 .
http://www.manybooks.net/titles/anonetext04arns410.html
or any of the versions on this site
http://www.mythfolklore.net/1001nights/index.htm

Also Under ottoman's empire this position is usually rendered as "Crier" alone or "Public crier ".

http://books.google.com.eg/books?id=0I1HuLFYHNkC&pg=PA104&lp...
http://www.scribd.com/doc/55004384/Nature-of-Balkan-Society-...

Why don't you use the archaic form of crier which is "cryer" to give it the age effect .
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cryer.html

Hopefully that would be of any help :)
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I am still undecided on this but appreciate the informative links, which seem to make a good case for crier."
+1
24 mins

Bellman, Town crier

Peer comment(s):
agree Nadia Ayoub
43 mins
Something went wrong...
+2
4 hrs

Caller

Caller.
Peer comment(s):
agree Mohsin Alabdali
6 hrs
Thanks a lot, Mohsin.
agree Mohammad Gornas : Caller is nearer (Surat 3 verse 193 سمعنا مناديا translated by (Abdulla Yousuf Ali )as (some one calling !!
1 day 12 hrs
Thanks a lot, Mohammad.
Something went wrong...
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