I am a writer and musician. Since 2007 this blog tries commenting on the unknown world, art, music and images. Contact me via email: gmacha52ATgmailDOTcom. For music engagements or workshops visit: freddymachaDOTcom
Monday, 18 January 2016
SWAHILI WORD PLAY - Lost in Translation
These days if you are on WhatsApp you would constantly receive pics and clips from everywhere.
Most of the time credits are not given. WhatsApp is not that sort of place. However, let me salute whoever made up these words.
In Swahili there are three different words expressing the process of making and eating rice.
Its not like in English where rice means rice. Cooked, raw, etc, is just rice.
In Swahili you have rice in its farming stage i.e. in a Paddy-field.
Mpunga
(Mpunga Hupungua)
Then Rice as a raw, ready to cook substance
Mchele
(Mchele Wachelewa)
Then cooked rice, ready to be eaten.
Wali
(Wali Waliwa)
Now ...on top of this add the chicken. It has been said chicken is the most loved meat. I just dont understand the obsession. There are so many varities of birds to relish with rice (turkey, ostrich, guinea foul, duck, etc) ... all as delicious, if not more nutritious.....(Ermmm... if you are meat eating folk )
Now the placard says
CHICKEN ATE RICE AND LATER THAT EVENING WAS EATEN WITH RICE
Translations don't do justice to humour. It is indeed such a cultural angle and is hence: "Lost in translation..."
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