fernandraynaud
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Idea: Arabian Music
An idea: we should always use the word "Arabian" instead of the word "Arabic". Although they can mean precisely the same thing, there is a world of
difference in what the two words suggest to the native English-speaker. We are talking about applied psychology here. I propose that the word "Arabic"
should be restricted to mean the language, or (maybe) the most narrow ethnicity.
"Arabian" associates with wide open spaces, stallions, Arabian Peninsula, Lawrence of Arabia.
"Arabic" at this time unfortunately associates with nothing so much as "trouble" and "problems".
I think it's a fortunate coincidence that in English these two words are available, that they are practically interchangeable, yet they produce very
different subconscious associations, so that we have a choice.
I think that the expression "Arabian Music" sounds noble.
I believe "Arabic music" sounds provincial and nationalistic.
What do you think? Does anyone here see a problem with this?
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ALAMI
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Can of worms Fernand, can of worms, to open it is rather a bad idea.
"Arabian" is of very good use for Disney's stories let's keep it in Disney World.
When it comes to real world, real History and all the connotations of what you're innocently considering "noble"...
It's a long story, long History and an uncertain Future.... probably full of "trouble" and "problems"
"Lawrence of Arabia" is one of the greatest movie ever made, but still it's a movie....
Play the music you like whether you call it Arabic or Arabian
and let the future decide which direction etymology and language will go.
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Luttgutt
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Totally agree with ALAMI!
But I see your good intantion, Fernandraynaud.
In addition, if "Arabic" has a "bad" connotation, we should help make it good again, not avoid it!
The answer lies in music/musik/musikk/musika...
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fernandraynaud
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Well, I asked, innocently.
If I'm writing on the music I tend to use "Arabian". It's language, and we can make choices in picking from synonyms (in American English anyway, they
ARE synonyms). One sounds broader and more fitting for music, the other more precisely tied to one specific language. That doesn't mean "bad", just
very tied to current events. And current events are a headache.
So, can you enlighten me, so I don't offend anyone, when you say
""Arabian" is of very good use for Disney's stories let's keep it in Disney World."
do you mean that there are people who might find "Arabian music" offensive or inappropriate, and I should NOT use it?? Or it's just that nobody wants
to talk about anything that COULD be a sore spot?
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ALAMI
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Fernand, of course we are aware, Luttgut and myself, that you asked innocently.
I would have preferred not to go into all this on these Forums but it seems like I owe you an explanation.
For the Arabs, the word "Arabian" is perceived with a colonial connotation: "Arabia" is that mythical ancient land where Sheherazad used to live, it
is almost unreal, no harm can be done to what is unreal, so sending knights to fight djinns in this noble quest of oil is romantic, Lawrence is also
romantic. Reality is not.
That's what I meant by "it is fine for Disney".
Arabs don't actually live in Arabia, they don't compose Arabian music, may be Korsakov does.
So the fact that the English/American language gives the choice between 2 words that may be considered as being equivalent synonims from your side is
not an "innocent" choice when seen through Arab eyes. Language is tricky and History is complex.
Lawrence was in fact a manipulator/spy, the secret agreements of Sykes-Picault were already made between UK and France dividing the Middle East
between the two powers.
Somehow in the Arab conscience, Arabia is an open land for colons. "Arabian Nights" are related to "Darkness".
Identity is still a big issue in this region so consequently language is sensitive.
A silly, but true, example: a huge dogfight is taking place in the region about the nationality of Falafel and Hommos, I will spare you the details.
Luckily Italy is not claiming rights on Pizza, It would have lead to WWIII.
From a westerner point of view, the concept of "L'Etat-Nation" historically gave birth to the worst regimes including Nazism, Fascism and all extreme
right wing racist groups in the West. That's why I understand why you wish to "disconnect" a music you love from a narrow and closed national
definition or monopoly. In the Middle East the same concept was more related to liberation from colonialism and
does not sound as negative.
Even Arabs living under brutal dictatures, and opposed to these dictatures, do not re-question the "birth" of their nation.
Should we say that Bach was from Germania because Hitler is from Germany ?
The real question, and it was discussed many times here. Is there really such a thing as Arabic, Arabian, Turkish, Ottoman, Kurdish, Armenian music ?
Isn't it all "Oriental" or Mediterranean ? of course the opinions will vary but I personally find this question more interesting.
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alfaraby
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I'll agree with Fernandraynaud.
"Arabian" sounds much more representative & authentic, rather than "Arabic".
Notwithstanding the connotation of "Lawrence" or "nights" or even "Disney", the word is being used for the bright side of the Arabian culture, more
than "Arab" or "Arabic"; although it may also mean one of the Arabs or related to "Arabia" as a territory !
One may try to repeat the phrase "Arabian Music" millions of times, and it shall eventually stick to the memory, even more than "Intifadah",
"glasnost" & let alone "Alkaidah" & co. did !!
Yours indeed
Alfaraby
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fernandraynaud
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Alami, thank you for very clearly explaining. Without going into details, my own background is complex and touchy enough that I can indeed understand.
I apologize if anything say with good intentions in any way offends anyone.
The reality that "Arabia" does not exist as a political entity has nothing to do with what the British did in that region, nor with the true role of
Britain's (or France's) emissaries.
The adjective "Arabian" does not bind us to a map boundary for "Arabia", it's a broad cultural tag. And somehow to my ears it doesn't sound
confrontational or exclusive, because the greater Arabian region has been home to Arabic, Persian, Ottoman, Armenian, Kurdish, Jewish, Zoroastrian,
Christian, Moslem and other peoples. Maybe the term "Middle Eastern" is equivalent, but in truth "Arabian" sounds better! And maybe it's something
good. To an American it sure doesn't sound like belonging to a place to colonize! It sounds sovereign and dignified. It sounds like an ancient
tradition. Let's not be naive. Words are just sound patterns that elicit neurological reactions. I should use words for results, not to meditate on
how they make me feel. You couldn't in a million years pay a public relations firm enough to invent and prime such a useful word!
What I would say to Luttgutt's argument is that my approach to the very same objective would be by the back door, because you cannot shove things down
peoples' throats. So it's much easier to start with a term that happens to elicit positive connotations and use it to advantage. It would be silly to
start with the opposite, "on principle".
We can say "listen to this beautiful Arabian music", and they might, and in time they may understand the culture and befriend the people, much more
than if we demand they begin with swallowing words that they have been taught to fear. Alami maybe is right and we could use "Mediterranean"? But do
we then mean Greek, Italian, Spanish, Provencal, Croatian too?
I'm pretty sure that in dealing with Americans anyway, "Arabian Music" is the smart way to go, and nobody should take offense at exploiting such a
useful accident of language.
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Greg
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I am closing this thread now, as it has nowhere to go but into serious dispute.
Alami has taken the time to provide a well reasoned response to the initial enquiry, from an Arabic point of view.
It would seem that his response has not changed the mind of the enquirer. Further similar postings on this subect will offend me and I am not of
Arabic descent. I can only imagine that it will enrage those that are.
Thanks for your understanding.
Greg
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Greg
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Thread Closed
3-4-2010 at 08:45 PM |
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