Today, we have a conversation between Olivia Snaije and translator Sarah Rolfo about Rolfo’s translation of Du pain sur la table d’oncle Milad (خبز على طاولة الخال ميلاد) by Libyan novelist Mohammed Alnaas.
During the interview, Rolfo said:
The translation of the extracts from songs which punctuate the text, and which are not simple ornaments in the novel but benefit the narration, also needed specific work. These passages required transcribing both the meaning necessary for understanding the subject, but also the rhythm and musicality. To complete this work, in the French translation, a list of the main songs was added to give readers the opportunity to listen to them while reading.
Here, we include the playlist of songs that weave together with the story line of Bread on Uncle Milad’s Table, expected in Sawad Hussain’s English translation next year.
Abdel Halim Hafez: Egyptian singer, (1929-1977)
Ahwak أهواك (I Love You)
Ahmed Fakroun: Libyan singer, born in 1953
Shams الشمس (The Sun)
Hareb fil-layali هارب في الليالي (The Night of Refuge)
Oyounek عيونك (Your Eyes)
Soleil soleil سوليل سوليل (Soleil Soleil)
Ahmed Wahbi: Algerian singer (1921-1993)
Wahran وهران (Ouran)
Cheb Khaled : Algerian singer, born in 1960
Cheikh Sadeq Bo Abaab : Egyptian singer (1935-1991)
Fairouz : Lebanese singer, born in 1934
Nassam ‘alayna al-hawa نسم علينا الهوا (A Gentle Breeze Passed Over Us)
Natartak ya habibi ناطرتك يا حبيبي (I’m Waiting for You, My Love)
Gamal Abd el-Qader: Libyan singer
Mshiti wenمشيت وين؟ (Where Did You Go?)
Hedi Jouini : Tunisian singer (1909-1990)
Lamouni elli gharou menni لاموني اللي غاروا مني (Forswearing the Jealous)
Mahmoud al-Sherif : Libyan singer (1930-1981)
Ya bayt al-‘ila ya ‘ali يا بيت العيلة يا عالي (Oh, You Grand Family Home)