Egyptian Protest Signs

[orange_fell]

45 Translated Egyptian Protest Signs

How close are these translations? Does anyone know why so many of them say "my hand hurts"--is that some kind of idiomatic expression in Egyptian Arabic, or just that they've been holding up signs so long, their arms are tired?

Comments

[reconditarmonia]

I would guess it's from holding up signs, but I speak not a word of Arabic...

[stardrawn]

It could be because they've been working so hard that their hands are sore/worn. I don't speak Arabic either though, herp.

[lied_ohne_worte]

I rather think it's meant to say that they have been holding up those signs long enough, and he should just leave already.

[sollersuk]

I've seen references to signs being held up saying things like "Mubarak go now - my arms are getting tired" and described as typical Egyptian humour.

[panjomin]

Great link! Thank you!

Yep, "my hand hurts" means "my arms are getting tired."

Most of the translations are OK. But:

33 says "Even if you divorce Suzanne, I'm not leaving the square" [it rhymes in Arabic]

38 is wrong: the shirts say "this is the shroud I'm wearing for you, Egypt" [= I'm willing to die]

[tisoi]

What variety of Arabic is mostly used? MSA? Egyptian? Both?

[panjomin]

Here's a sample:

1 Egyptian

2 MSA

3 MSA

4 Egyptian

5 MSA

Usually the serious ones are in MSA and the funny ones are in Egyptian.