Arabic and Persian Languages

When I read the translations of media releases/exclamations/proclamations/condemnations emanating from Persia and its surrounds I am struck by the strength of the passion in the words. Whether it be from fundamentalists, moderates or women's liberation advocates - the language used is, to an extent, extreme.

The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan 'celebrate' 30 years of struggle this year. I am sure it is a feature of the translation issues between English and these Turkic and Arabic languages, but anyone who is a good guy is always 'glorious' and 'brave', and the array of adjectives used for the bad guys is a rage-filled shower of burning arrows at every opportunity.

So much intensity of anger and love seems consistent with thousands of years of warring and artistic achievement across that land. I don't want to suggest that inhabitants in that region are always on the brink of madness, but there is an underlying passion that I think our somewhat teutonic caucasian nature fails to understand. Lack of understanding that results in misunderstanding.

(just procrastinating from writing a pretty boring essay on the determinants of Singapore's economic growth)