The Linguist

8 The Linguist Vol/64 No/1 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist FEATURES From prison vernacular to 'survival slang', Eyhab Bader Eddin considers how translators can convey the nuances of conflict-related language in post-Assad Syria I n the wake of Bashar al-Assad's fall in December 2024, Syria stands at a pivotal moment, its sociopolitical landscape irrevocably transformed. This upheaval has brought forth stories of those who endured unimaginable hardships in prisons and lived through many years of conflict. How can such experiences, laden with cultural and situational specificity, be accurately conveyed in translation? Can language truly convey the depth of suffering, the weight of history, and the complexities of factional rhetoric? Or does it inevitably elude translation, resulting in a fragmented narrative of a nation with multiple perspectives? Amid the challenges of the civil war and subsequent conflicts, Syria's various factions – ranging from secular groups to those driven by religious ideologies – crafted their own unique terminologies. These terms, deeply embedded in the nation's history, religious texts and diverse cultural practices, reflect a complex web of meaning that is difficult to translate. As the current government triumphantly leads the country into a new era, these terms serve as powerful symbols of a long-awaited return to stability and unity. From the revolution's outset, Syrian society experienced a division that quickly solidified into two categories. One supported the regime, which the opposition labelled م ن ح ب ك ج ي ة (Manhbakjiya), derived from the colloquial Arabic term م ن ح ب ك ,(Manhbakk), meaning 'we love you'. This phrase originated as the slogan of Assad's 2007 presidential referendum campaign. His critics used the term to characterise regime supporters as blind to reality, invoking the proverb 'the eye of love is blind'. Meanwhile, for Assad loyalist groups, even the term 'opposition' ( م ع ا ر ض ة ; mu'arada) was tantamount to treason. At the same time, some viewed opposition members as simply 'the deceived' or 'tricked' ( م غ ر ر ب ه م ; mugharrar bihum), a characterisation reinforced by the regime's paternalistic rhetoric. Another term, 'infiltrators' ( م ن د س و ن ; mundassun), emerged early in the revolution to describe those accused of inciting unrest. It gained prominence in connection with the Bandar Plan ( خ ط ة ب ن د ر ; khitat Bandar), named after Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan. Promoted by the regime's security apparatus and circulated by local media in April 2011, this narrative framed opposition actions as part of a 'foreign conspiracy' to destabilise Syria. Translating such terms requires not only linguistic precision but also an understanding of their sociopolitical origins and connotations. Expressions like 'tactical withdrawal' ( ا ن س ح ا ب ت ك ت ي / ; insihab taktiki) became prevalent during military engagements, used by Assad's troops to rationalise losses and minimise the psychological impact on his supporters. Initially framed as strategic retreats, the term evolved into a cynical euphemism for failure. Other phrases, such as 'liberation' ( ت ح ر ي ر ; tahrir) and 'cleansing' ( ت ط ه 1 ; tat-heer), signified military victories and the expulsion of opponents. These acts often preceded widespread plundering ( ت ع ف ي ش ; ta'fish), a practice so pervasive that it became synonymous with newly controlled areas. Gangs dismantled and sold everything of value, from industrial equipment to household items. Such actions left countless Syrians destitute, transforming them overnight into refugees or shelter residents. Coined by revolution Following Assad's fall, a new term, ت ك و ي ع (takwi'a), gained traction, describing former loyalists who abruptly switched allegiances. This linguistic innovation reflects the volatility of political loyalties during tumultuous times. Revolution-coined terms like these often function as both nouns and verbs, and embed themselves deeply in Syria's cultural and political lexicon. Among them are several covert terms for the US dollar, many of which play on the Syria's language of war GLOBAL IMPACT International publications report on the fall of the Assad regime STEVE TRAVELGUIDE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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