"الملف 14/115 VII الملحق (B 9) أكسيد جزيرة أبو موسى: مواد خلفية حول هذه القضية" [و‎‎٥‎٧‎٠] (١٩٠٤/١١٨٨)

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. | f A joij A R-WfitL Y REVIEW OF C/URR^NT EVENTS, LJ T E R A l \fK ^ p T &
SAMUEL. M, Z
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^ v ... " ^ BAHRAIN. AN G U L Fgf^ ME!r Ctl 2 » 1911
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lay dear Colonel Cox: -
With reference to the meaning of the Arabic sentence
4/» ^ c)^^ 1
and the probable intention of the writer in using those words, concern
ing which point yon asked my opinion, I take pleasure in replying as
follows.'
first, it is evident that whoever wrote the sentence was
not a thorough scholar in Arabic, as he confused the masculine and fem
inine forms in the last word of the sentence. To my mind the obvious
translation of the phrase is, "The annulment of this agreement is better
than its acceptance." I do not think it is at all obvious or possible
to translate the sentence, "The annulment of this agreement is better
than to comply with his wishes." This translation is, to my mind, a
forced one, and not the natural significance of the words in ctuestion,
whatever be their 'connection.
I am confirmed in this opinion after consulting with one
or two Arabs concerning the popular use of the pronoun in such a sent
ence, and I find that they agree v /ith me that there is a great looseness
in the use of the feminine or masculine pronoun at the close of a clause
or sentence. I am sure that nine out of ten Arabs would give the pre
ference to the former translation of the sentence as the obvious and
natural intention of the writer.
Although my opinion does not carry weight beyond that of