Translation Requests

It occurred to me we could use more translation work done, and that this might be a good way to do it - have a public "drop box" so any Arabic-speaking readers (primarily) can see what would help, and perhaps just sign up and do it. --Caustic Logic (talk) 06:19, 9 February 2014 (UTC)
 * And now we're dealing with Russian a lot, and other languages have come up. Perhaps different pages are in order, or just sections here. What's seemed useful in having a page that even a distant member is "watching" and gets alerted when there's a request. Anyone who would like to help with their language skills should click "watch this page." Thanks. --Caustic Logic (talk) 01:17, 21 December 2014 (UTC)


 * Should we sign requests and answers, so we can see who we're responding to? I think so. All mine below are stamped now. --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:48, 10 February 2014 (UTC)

Arabic
alphabet, keyboard.

Thanks, Resup - I've been meaning to put tips. Spoken Arabic is another story, but written can be read - the basic alphabet is little help though. I use Wikipedia's chart with the 3 forms of each letter. In Englsih we capitalize the first word in each sentence, mostly lower case after. In Arabic, they "capitalize" the beginning of each word, and they also have a special case for the last letter of every word. So initial (first) medial (middle) and final forms are all seen in each word. Tricky. --Caustic Logic (talk) 01:53, 9 November 2015 (UTC)

Hamza al-Khatib and Thamer al-Sharei
2 boys arrested or killed April 29, 2011, one of them very famously - morgue photos leaked in March, 2015 by "Caesar" of affiliates via Zaman al-Wasl - I tried making out the apparent abbreviations next to Thamer's unusual number. Looks like a modified Aliph (A), then Shin (sh), so maybe short for ash-shahid, the martyr? Below, an unclear shape/symbol. Then the big 12, unusually done in Western Arabic numerals. Every translation/connotation we can get from this helps establish what this shows. --Caustic Logic (talk) 07:30, 2 May 2016 (UTC)

More questions about fellow victim Mahmoud Al-Zoubi - video of the martyr includes forehead and chest tape (good views inset), ID card, official paperwork, and narration. I'd like to know what the paperwork says (or is said to say), and if any sense can be made of the scribbles on the tape. words? letters? numerals? symbols? What does the narration add about how and when the man died and how they know that. How did these activists obtain his ID card? --Caustic Logic (talk) 05:57, 15 May 2016 (UTC)

Latakia Villages Graffiti
First try with note: bad handwriting or poor Arabic knowledge might be making this harder than it should be. line 1: Allahu Akbar Line 2: a-la-ou-a-m e-l-ou-l ? ?? Line 3: a-t-gh? ?? --Caustic Logic (talk) 01:42, 2 November 2015 (UTC)
 * For Latakia Massacres, something I meant to ask about long ago - Some graffiti seen in Latakia towns after rebel conquest in August, 2013. If no one can translate these before then, I aim to try it this weekend (I could use the challenge or, even more, the saved time). First, one seen in Kharata (source video 0:50, at "checkpoint" on road into town):
 * Translation: (Via Facebook chat -- Petri Krohn (talk) 14:44, 2 November 2015 (UTC))
 * ''الله أكبر
 * ''Allahu Akbar
 * ''اللواء الأول في الجبهة الغربية
 * ''1st Brigade in the Western Front
 * ''التابع لجبهة الأصالة والتنمية
 * ''Which belongs to the Authenticity and Development Front (see discussion page for info)
 * Thanks, P! Not implicated otherwise that I know of. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authenticity_and_Development_Front --Caustic Logic (talk) 00:17, 3 November 2015 (UTC)

Trying auto-translate compared to the image, and the number shown is a 4, not a 1 (in Eastern Arabic system). I can verify in order "Western Front 4/4th (?)" - ?(? maybe "part of") front for Authenticity and Development." Perfect match across the fainter part. Wouldn't have been able to see or guess that, so thanks. --Caustic Logic (talk) 07:48, 3 November 2015 (UTC)
 * video - they can develop beards anyway, authentic Jihadist-looking guys. --Caustic Logic (talk) 14:42, 3 November 2015 (UTC)
 * Sorry, I did see western front matched but by the second half. First half seems to say or translate first brigade (not the usual "Khatiba" brigade but...) so the above translation seems totally right, except the 4 instead of في. In English 4 translates for, in Arabic not, but maybe it's a jokey thing, brigade 4 western front. --Caustic Logic (talk) 12:36, 4 November 2015 (UTC)

Next, one seen somewhere (will also track down where) --Caustic Logic (talk) 07:55, 27 October 2015 (UTC) Main line: s-a-(ayn?) a-l-? (d? h?)-m-h? --Caustic Logic (talk) 01:42, 2 November 2015 (UTC)
 * Translation: (Updated, now with transcription. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 18:07, 3 November 2015 (UTC))
 * (upper right, scribbled) ''مصير كل علوي الذبح
 * ''the fate of every Alawi is for slaughtering
 * (main line) ''ســاع اللاذقية
 * ''messenger Latakia


 * (an original reading of أسد اللاذقية (lions Latakia) was offered ... --Caustic Logic (talk) 06:11, 9 November 2015 (UTC)
 * أسد اللاذقية - seems to be very obscure, search turns up almost nothing. --Caustic Logic (talk) 00:17, 3 November 2015 (UTC)


 * Trying auto-translate compared to the image, Latakia is pretty clear, lion is not. The letters I saw are ساـع which compresses to ســاع which actually translates straight to messenger. Messenger(s) of Latakia. But " ســاـع اللاذقية" gives zero easy hits - may not be a formal group. The scribble in the corner is more interesting, no confirmation yet. --Caustic Logic (talk) 08:00, 3 November 2015 (UTC)
 * أسود (lions) is the plural of أسد (lion). Most lions seem to support Assad.
 * lion = asad--Resup (talk) 14:35, 8 November 2015 (UTC)
 * Here is one: أسود اللاذقية It is possible that the slaughter text was added later by a different user writer. (I almost forgot. People writing on walls are not called users, but authors or something. :-) -- Petri Krohn (talk) 18:14, 3 November 2015 (UTC)
 * Wall user? Silly. I'm going to challenge this and the above, and when possible replace any Arabic above with the right match. Will take a bit though. (to start, Gtrans gives "black" not "lions" as the meaning of أسود) Otherwise, cool to have them side-by-side like that. (helps see where they don't actually match the picture, yet) --Caustic Logic (talk) 08:42, 4 November 2015 (UTC)
 * To clarify; last letter doesn't match - not any letter exactly but that one is the closest by far (not sure how it's pronounced) - the first letter has to be cropped off (that's possible but unlikely for a narrow aliph to be that far out - and that should be the best view available, or I confirmed nothing cropped) The s is a match, but و doesn't appear - it's the first aliph instead. Considering these 3 letters form a word that makes sense in context, as I noted late compresses to look even more exactly like that (and there's a different reason for that "4", I'm calling that word (very similar looking words should be considered, but that's not one). The scribble seems totally consistent with just that (in order body each Alawi for slaughter, same meaning I presume) --Caustic Logic (talk) 12:36, 4 November 2015 (UTC)


 * Update: We're in agreement on "messenger." And the scribble has a better reading: the fate of every Alawi is for slaughtering." Order is fate/body - every/all - Alawi - for slaughtering. Either one kind of fits but the latter is a better fit and makes more sense. "fate ... for slaughtering" might be bad grammar, but maybe not. Fate being a noun (ذبح=slaughter) sounds better, but whatever. Slaughter all Alawi comes through. --Caustic Logic (talk) 06:11, 9 November 2015 (UTC)

More graffiti, lots of it, in this 12-minute video (Isterbeh, August 6). Pics and notes. --Caustic Logic (talk) 14:15, 8 November 2015 (UTC) 3) seen at 4:45 inside a doorway 4) 6:00 - 6a below, 6b is probably unreadable loops on the other side of the door 5) probably unreadable - inside a home at 7:50 6) 9:50 and onward, various tags all over the porch - 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d with detail


 * (3) perhaps ....  لل ه      of  (a)lla(h) .... also the same in full in all-linked letters is on below left graffiti
 * (4) maybe basmala which can look in many ways ; or shahada. Unsure; looks quite close to what's on the flag, is it not?
 * (The rest)-- really needs a translator...--Resup (talk) 19:58, 8 November 2015 (UTC)
 * I'm getting there, and thanks for a try. Allah is seen in 6b bottom Allah Akbar, and in 6a bottom, Allah s___. 3 I tried with letter forms, got maybe مــهــع which doesn't auto translate on Yandex. Could start with h هـ with bad handwriting. Also not a word Yandex translate recognizes. Tried the first with Google translate and it gives "with." SO maybe with ... --Caustic Logic (talk) 02:16, 9 November 2015 (UTC)

Sarmin Alleged Chlorine Attack

 * For Alleged Chemical Attack, March 16, 2015 and associated report etc. - Leith Fares/civil defense 9-minute hospital and rescue video. There might be a lot of worthwhile dialog in here, if not very clear. Speciial areas of focus: before they leave the hospital around 4:00 and after, what's said about where they're going and why? When they arrive and start down the stairs, around 5:00 in, until they leave the site, and including the cameraman gets in the ambulance. What can be made out of the discussion here? --Caustic Logic (talk) 01:34, 27 April 2015 (UTC)
 * For Alleged Chemical Attack, March 16, 2015 and associated report/submission to OPCW. Important, but this translation is optional. naked dead children video 1 especially what the guy says as the baby tries his last breath - mentions Sarmin (the town) and Assad. Does he call urgently for a medic? Do they acknowledge that anyone has died even by video's end? What do they say about the poison, where the victims came from, etc.? naked dead children video 2, trying to revive them all over again as if we didn't just see them seeming to be totally dead. What of interest is said here? Best: give the time-stamp for each quote so we can see it in context. Thanks, whoever, if anyone. :) --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:33, 31 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Example: at 0:28 in video 2 the medic tells the hooded creep to stop with the compressions. What does he say to explain why? I mean, aren't they trying to save people? --Caustic Logic (talk) 10:01, 31 March 2015 (UTC)
 * (done, added at the page)


 * For Khan al-Assal Massacre July 22, 2013: An al-Nusra rebel denial video. FSA we did not massacre anyone in Khan Al assal Someone else must have massacred anyone who was massacred, apparently, because they say ... what? (mid-length video, 2:16) --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:48, 10 February 2014 (UTC)


 * For 2014 Ma'an Massacre (Feb. 9): There is an Arabic victims list, 20 names, posted here on Facebook by Alaa Ibrahim. If we had these names in text form we could get transliterations - or maybe there is already one or both of those around?
 * I can answer this! There's this text posting from Jablah News Network. Will work on and add. This, to make an empty page lively, I will leave for now. --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:48, 10 February 2014 (UTC)


 * For Deir Baalba Massacre April, 2012: Deir Ba'alba | Homs | Mass Numbers of Martyrs Murdered by Assad Forces (wrapped bodies, not gory) - the names written on the victims' shrouds might be of interest. Also, anything in the narration that's of interest (names, dates, specific allegations, etc.) --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:48, 10 February 2014 (UTC)
 * Same case: "alah yahmik ya soria ya rab" - God something Syria something. This is a Wikimpaia label just north of Deir Baalba. --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:48, 10 February 2014 (UTC)


 * For Abel massacre March 25-29, 2013 - Homs Abel Notice.png --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:48, 10 February 2014 (UTC)

Martyrs of the tribe of al-Akidat al-Bu Assaf They died Monday 25/03 2013 in Mazari’ Abil “among those unknown”. - Qatash al-Mahmoud (Abu Mahmoud) and his wife Nusra al-Mahmoud (Um Mahmoud) - Hawash al-Mahmoud (Abu Ali) and his wife Ghaziya al-Ifir - Children of Qatash: Mahmoud al-Mahmoud (Abu Ahmad) and his wife Khadra al-Mahmoud - Fuad al-Mahmoud (Abu Hamza) – Hamida al-Mahmoud - Huda bint Mahmoud and her young children: Ahmad al-Mahmoud – Haydar al-Mahmoud - Sajida al-Mahmoud (who were the children of Ali Ahmad al-Mahmoud) --Jokkmokks goran (talk) 09:15, 19 February 2014 (UTC)


 * For Maramarita Massacre, August 17, 2013. I tried to read this apparently related poster. I couldn't even match the first name, Amin Nakkour أمين نقرور. And there's only five to pick from. I'm trying to say who was military and thus who not, where from, etc. I also notice the date 8/18 appearing. That would apparently be new. --Caustic Logic (talk) 08:51, 9 February 2014 (UTC)

The martyrs are claimed by “The National Defence Forces in Homs and its countryside”. They “sacrified their pure blood on the path of the soil of the homeland and the glory of al-Assad’s Syria”. They are all apparently Christians by their names and as the memorial services are to be held in churches. The dates mentioned are for these services. They all carry the title ”al-shahid malazim sharaf” meaning “the martyr” + some kind of military grade “Honorary lieutenant”? No info on time, place or circumstances of death. - Fadi Matanius Iliyas - Samir Abid Watfa - Jacko Isa Sa’ada - Sumer Isa Yaziji - Basil Malik Salih --Jokkmokks goran (talk) 09:15, 19 February 2014 (UTC)

Taldou Banner
--Caustic Logic (talk) 09:26, 15 February 2014 (UTC)
 * For Houla, May 25: Who Was in Control? - a shot-up sign, May 26, 2012. Looks hard to read/guess without context. Every word and maybe even every letter helps.

To me it looks like a trafic sign plastered over with a political message. I can only make out the first and last word on the second line: "al-shahid [the martyr]...[S?]ouriya (Syria)". --Jokkmokks goran (talk) 09:15, 19 February 2014 (UTC)

MIHQ Graffiti

 * For Houla, May 25: Who Was in Control? - this is some writing seen at the military intelligence headquarters, in this Jihadi video. What can an Arabic reader make out and/or guess of what it says? --Caustic Logic (talk) 09:34, 6 June 2014 (UTC)


 * I really can't make out anything except the middle row/"column" which says "Hafiz and Bashar" (perhaps followed by an insult) and extreme left "al-Amir" (prince/rebel commander title) Jokkmokks goran (talk) 21:21, 11 June 2014 (UTC)
 * Thanks, JG! I figured something should be readable, if not all of it. That's enough there to work with. (I'm assembling a new report on "the Battle for the Houla Massacre") --Caustic Logic (talk) 13:44, 12 June 2014 (UTC)
 * But while you're paying attention - I imagine more could be guessed if you look close at the start, by the green line, and maybe elsewhere. I'll just prod - feel free to look again or not. Peace. --Caustic Logic (talk) 14:07, 12 June 2014 (UTC)

Special Research Requests
I have none at the moment but one problem I've had is in doing Arabic-language searches. To even know which articles are good, I have to copy-and-paste the right part of the text into Google Translate. It's slow going over here. An Arabic reader could do a more effective search a lot quicker and get the best source material delivered, and maybe even pre-translated. But even just selecting the best links with the most and best information is a big step forward when that's been lacking.--Caustic Logic (talk) 06:45, 9 February 2014 (UTC)


 * More a general question for anyone more knowledgeable about Syrian society - re: Jandar Resort Massacre, August 2012. As I explain there:
 * The three Mtanious names seem to have been in the wrong order (Mtanious first), here and everywhere else. At whatever risk, the listing below changes the order. Is it more odd that three guys of the same (known, Christian) family work together, or that men of three families, who chose the same unusual first name, all wound up working together? 

Can anyone answer that? --Caustic Logic (talk) 08:51, 9 February 2014 (UTC)

Ukrainian
We may use help with Ukrainian, especially spoken Ukrainian.

Russian
For Mariupol market shelling - curious what these letters probably say. Address is 33 Kyivskaya. Not marked on IPHR's map but near a pin #26, likely misplaced. That says Magazine "Eva" I thought - where Magazin seems to be a type of shop? (Магазин "Ева".) Notes: windows have colorful letters, poster of Marilyn Monroe on north corner. The sign at top may be dated, may not matter. But in case it has significance (was taking a political slant, if it was an actual magazine, etc.) might be worth looking into. Shop was hit on the south end roof, it seems, fire all throughout, little-seen dead person just southeast of the place. Interior may be ransacked (15:00 in this video)
 * Магазин "Ева" = Shop "Eve". But what's shows up at that address appears to be: "Промінвестбанк (?)" (Bank "Prominvest", Ukrainian based Russian owned bank), in fancy unreadable letters, "Golden Fish" -written on white background lower on the wall. Even lower on green, it's both unreadable and untranslatable, but possibly оволонь, which could mean a meadow (old Russian), or something else misspelled and not coming up translated. --Resup (talk) 02:14, 5 March 2015 (UTC)
 * "Bank of Putin became the owner of Prominvestbank",-- segodnia.ua--Resup (talk) 02:25, 5 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Interesting, thanks! (and cut the rest of my adds to the picture's talk page for now) --Caustic Logic (talk) 11:54, 5 March 2015 (UTC)

Other
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