Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Arabic term or phrase:
ما حك جلدك مثل ظفرك
English translation:
God helps those who help themselves
Added to glossary by
Amr elNagdi
Mar 15, 2005 11:44
19 yrs ago
15 viewers *
Arabic term
ما حك جلدك مثل ظفرك
Arabic to English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
وفي سوريا رجال ونساء يعرفون مصلحتهم ويعرفون أنه ما حك جلدك مثل ظفرك
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
7 hrs
Arabic term (edited):
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Selected
God helps those who help themselves
The expression ما حك جلدك مثل ظفرك leads to the rejoinder, which is فتولّ أنت جميع أمرك, which explains its meaning.
When translating a common saying like this one, especially one using a metaphor (as that of the scratching of an itch), one has at least three options:
1. Translate it literally, which, in this case, would probably be just as communicative in English, depending on how it is phrased.
2. Come up with another common saying that may use a different metaphor or no metaphor at all, but encourages the same virtue of self-reliance and discourages the overuse of outside help.
3. Not translate the expression, but rather explain what it points to.
My answer here takes option 2. This is not an endorsement of option 2 in all cases. It just happens that the English saying that I suggest is well known, carries the same meaning, which is readily understood by most. In some cases, a higher degree of literalness is stipulated by the project parameters, so a substitution of another saying or an explanation of the meaning would not work.
When translating a common saying like this one, especially one using a metaphor (as that of the scratching of an itch), one has at least three options:
1. Translate it literally, which, in this case, would probably be just as communicative in English, depending on how it is phrased.
2. Come up with another common saying that may use a different metaphor or no metaphor at all, but encourages the same virtue of self-reliance and discourages the overuse of outside help.
3. Not translate the expression, but rather explain what it points to.
My answer here takes option 2. This is not an endorsement of option 2 in all cases. It just happens that the English saying that I suggest is well known, carries the same meaning, which is readily understood by most. In some cases, a higher degree of literalness is stipulated by the project parameters, so a substitution of another saying or an explanation of the meaning would not work.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks, agree. "
+3
21 mins
Arabic term (edited):
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You know best what is best for you
When we translate common sayings it is important to understand their meaning and look beyond the words.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Dina Abdo
3 hrs
|
agree |
Saleh Ayyub
6 hrs
|
agree |
donfaidhy
: If you want to do something, do it your self.
10 days
|
47 mins
Arabic term (edited):
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they know what suits them best
can't think of an English proverb to fit
+7
51 mins
Arabic term (edited):
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you can only rely on yourself / if you need something to be done, do it yourself
the literal translation is: "nothing scratches your skin but your own nail" the meaning thereof is that if you need something to be done, you should do it yourself. so one of the suggested translations may fit.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
sktrans
: marhaba ashrafieh
2 hrs
|
thanks
|
|
agree |
Stephen Franke
5 hrs
|
thanks
|
|
agree |
Saleh Ayyub
6 hrs
|
thanks
|
|
agree |
Nesrin
: 1,460 Google hits for "If you want something done, do it yourself."
6 hrs
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thanks
|
|
agree |
enasyousef
4 days
|
agree |
AhmedAMS
7 days
|
agree |
ahmadwadan.com
1032 days
|
4 hrs
Arabic term (edited):
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Every Man...
I would agree with some of my colleagues' suggestions and there is also a proverb in English that might suit the context you presented:
" Every man is the architect of his own fortunes". This proverb may work in presenting the meaning aimed but it's neither literal nor direct. It's originated from a Roman proverb in 1st b.c. and was first known in English literature in 1533.
" Every man is the architect of his own fortunes". This proverb may work in presenting the meaning aimed but it's neither literal nor direct. It's originated from a Roman proverb in 1st b.c. and was first known in English literature in 1533.
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