Glossary entry

Arabic term or phrase:

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

English translation:

Greetings

Added to glossary by Firas Allouzi
Jan 6, 2012 18:05
12 yrs ago
166 viewers *
Arabic term

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Arabic to English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters Legal document
What is the best translation when the term is mentioned in official government documents and the audience is legal bodies and native speakers of english. Would it be simply 'Greetings' , or any other simplified and more english native term. I seek the advice of professionals in this area. Thank you

Discussion

Randa Farhat Jan 6, 2012:
الأخ فراس،
إذا كانت الرسالة مراسلات رسمية أو تقارير وما شابه عليك أن تترجمها بالأسلوب الإنكليزي، لا العربي، وهذا ما كنا نتعامل به وما زلنا، وخصوصا إن كان دورك في الموضوع هو المترجِم. بعض المسؤولين يضعون طريقتهم الخاصة، ولكن عندما تترجم أنت فاستخدم غريتنغس. المسألة الأخرى هي إذا كانت ترجمة مصدّقة لشهادات أو أوراق، حينها ينبغي أن تترجم حرفياً حتى البسملة وأي كتابة باليد. هذه ليست مسألة رأي بل طريقة الاحتراف في الدوائر الرسمية وهي من أوائل الأشياء التي تتعلمها إن عملت مترجماً في وزارة أو سفارة أو منظمة
Firas Allouzi (asker) Jan 6, 2012:
Pleaase read the explanation, and see whether the answer is still the same from you experience. Thank you

Proposed translations

+3
34 mins
Selected

Greetings

I was recently asked to translate an official letter from the office of a high official in the Gulf area. They requested that
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Would be translated as "Greetings."
We don't have to translate this term word by word. We have to go by how people start their official letters in the West.
I know that many don't agree but we are here to contextualize and not force our terms.
Note from asker:
thank you that was very helpful
Peer comment(s):

agree Randa Farhat : Absolutely! This is what we first learnt working for government and diplomatic sectors. Official means English style here.
21 mins
agree Ahmed Badawy : it could be interpreted to different cultures and religions
10 hrs
agree ahmad4 : ,
1819 days
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "thank you Lamis"
+1
5 mins

Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you

.
Note from asker:
thank you
Peer comment(s):

agree Murad AWAD : Agree
1 hr
Something went wrong...
11 mins

Peace and blessings of God be upon you

In these situations, it is better to "play it safe" and stick to the original meaning of the text than going overly idiomatic and simply saying "Greetings". Knowing the source, the native reader of English will recognize that this is a standard greeting in Arabic.
You could simplify it to the more familiar "Peace be upon you", or "Peace and blessings of God be upon you".
Good luck.
Note from asker:
thank you
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+1
15 mins

May the Peace, the Mercy and the Blessings of Allah be bestowed upon you

.
Peer comment(s):

agree Murad AWAD : Agree
1 hr
Thanks so much
Something went wrong...
16 mins

Greetings, May peace, God's mercy and blessings be upon you

you can use the above as it is mentioned in an official government, thus it will include both EN and AR ways.

Letter to Prime Minister Abdel Salaam al-Majali
www.kinghussein.gov.jo/97_dec4.html
4 Dec 1997 – May peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings. Letter to Prime Minister Abdel Salaam al-Majali. Amman. December 4, 1997. BACK.
Note from asker:
thank you that was helpful
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