Tour of Babel
Tour of Babel is a regular Popula column, in which we translate the world’s words that can’t be translated, the phrases and expressions that don’t travel (but that also, it turns out, do).
Tour of Babel Primary category in which blog post is published
Thank You for Your Service
It’s a phrase you will only find in this country, because the sentiment is so distinctly American.
On Translating al-mu‘allaqāt, The Hanging Poems
"Endless night, won't you clear off/with the coming dawn?"
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America is a Caliphate
All is not well in the realm, however.
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Une Fronde
The idea that a nation is congenitally disposed to rebellion or freedom can easily provide cover for servility and subjugation.
Tour of Babel Primary category in which blog post is published
In Search of the Verandah Boys
The capital WE of the hungry and disenfranchised
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The Requirement to Integrate
A few years ago, these words were openly reviled in Sweden as racist dog-whistling
“Libtard” in the Chinese style
Activists in China concerned with social justice issues are derided for their "baizuo" mentality.
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Our Own Private Cacique
I will cross my arms and Comala will starve.
