Murder on Sessine Square
June 8, 2010 at 4:16 pm 9 comments
The letter “meem” (equivalent to “m” in english) was found murdered in Sessine Square.
Time of death: Unknown.
Linguists are currently investigating the motives. Suspects under consideration are the Lebanese youth, who, when interviewed, would answer only in English or French (or both, further confusing the investigators). “Ya Man! Je ne sais pas!”
Guilty or innocent?
We’ll let you decide. We can only pray that no other Arabic letters suffer a similar, devastating fate..
(Ok, I’m just making this all up for fun. These installations announce the Arabic Language Festival to be held on June 26 in Hamra. Well-done!)
Entry filed under: One of a Kind. Tags: arabic, beirut, crime tape, design, intervention, Lebanon, letters, losing language, murdered, young generation.
1.
Samsam | June 8, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I saw it too and I really like it… When I saw it I thought that some murder took place… I think it’s a very effective campaign.
2.
Dany Awad | June 8, 2010 at 7:39 pm
it’s a campaign by Feil Amr.. more info here: http://danyawad.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/dont-kill/
3.
Lorena | June 8, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Thanks Dany. That’s one mystery solved
4.
Simon | June 8, 2010 at 11:01 pm
no way ya man! c’est tres cool! hehehe
these words are wat u learn when u holiday in lebanon! it’s so funny and sad that lebs will refuse to talk to you in arabic if they know you’re from overseas.
I visit lebanon every year, i believe I speak arabic very well and love speaking it, but pple insist in replying and talking english to me even when i’m talking arabic to them!!
one more thing, GIRLS, it really doesn’t sound COOL when you say “shou Ya MAN!” not cool at all! more like a turn off hehehe
5. Tweets that mention Murder on Sessine Square « Lorena’s Epiphany -- Topsy.com | June 9, 2010 at 2:41 am
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6. Cheesy Campaign To “Protect The Arabic Language” Portrays Arabic Letters As Murder Victims | The Beirut Spring, a Lebanese Blog | June 9, 2010 at 5:11 am
[...] admit, this is a fun and catchy campaign. But I’ve made my point before: Languages are a mean to an end, you [...]
7.
Lorena | June 9, 2010 at 8:49 am
I agree.. It goes both ways. It’s a major turn-off too when guys talk to girls and keep saying “man” :-/ do I look like a “man” to you? Lol!
8.
mirellamccracken | June 12, 2010 at 1:44 am
This is one of your best post Lorena! (every time I say that:)
I laughed when I read it.
It drives me crazy the way some young Lebanese speaks in Beirut… sooo annoying to my ears.
9.
learningquran | June 16, 2010 at 8:11 pm
It’s a nice article and quite resourceful also love your work keep it up