I remember one day in my MSA during my university days, where the President of the group and I were chatting about random matters. Since we both share a simlar background we were talking in English, until he said something like:
“Sure we’ll get it done, between us there is no takkaluf”
It was at that point we had a eureka moment an realized that there is no word comparable to takkaluf and definitely nothing in the English language regarding this concept.
Just wanted to see if you guys know what I am talking about? Besides desis, I am not even sure if this exists amongst other Muslims.
couldn't it be translated as "formality"?
in french, the term is "amour-propre" which is loosely translated as "false pride"
this concept exists in traditional societies everywhere; you might think it doesn't exist elsewhere just because it's a dying concept in modern times.
I am not sure. I see formality as too broad of a translation. Formality is just the observation of cultural rules or norms. I doubt that the desi takkaluf concept is fully conveyed. It's like izzat, which neatly translates into honor, but I don't think that Westerners would fully understand how something moralistic on an individual level translates into family honor.
The French term is interesting, and probably closer.
It exists in traditional societies everywhere? Do you recall any examples? I am fairly curious about it and it would be great to do some research on it.
well i can't give specific examples at this time, lekin u get a sense of it when u read books that describe the British society as it was in the victorian or elizabethan era. there was a great sense of propriety/social standing and also chivalry.
what i meant by my last sentence was that wherever there are ppl that are deeply traditional, these concepts of "izzat" and "takalluf" come into being. it's an interesting subject... i'll see if i can dig up some more info.
just remembered, if u have ever read Gone With The Wind, you'll see that the Southern society was also quite formal and they set store by good social manners. Scarlett's Mammy would be outraged at breach of etiquette or anything that tarnished the family's image, and would often declare indignantly - "it ain't fitting, it just ain't fitting".
Takalluf comes from Takleef. I looked up and in persian and Arabic, Takalluf means trouble and pain. In nutshell, Urdu word Takalluf means going through pain or trouble to make other person feel comfortable.
In priniciple, the concept is present in other cultures. Although, there is no word for that in English (as far as I know)
Takalluf comes from Takleef. I looked up and in persian and Arabic, Takalluf means trouble and pain. In nutshell, Urdu word Takalluf means going through pain or trouble to make other person feel comfortable.
In priniciple, the concept is present in other cultures. Although, there is no word for that in English (as far as I know)
"Formal" means traditional (rasmi in urdu)
That is great! At least we have an understanding of the basis of the word. Would you give some examples of the concept being present in other cultures?
**I think the word 'takalluf' conveys an array of meanings so i don't think one English word would sufficiently convey all the attributes as to it's meaning.
however, i would rather translate "takalluf" as "etiquette"**
it's like going to someones house and refusing any food or drink due to not wanting to put your host to any trouble....takaluf..
very common in desis...
it's like going to someones house and refusing any food or drink due to not wanting to put your host to any trouble....takaluf..
very common in desis...
**partly yes...but it was the custom in our old culture to show our vaz'a qat'a and NOT jump on food as if we had been starved for food...so, he/she would hesitate and upon asking he wud take a little and then upon insistence he would take a little bit more...this cycle of takallufaat would continue for a few times before host would be satisfied that the guest isn't hungry anymore. lol...weird but interesting though...
there is a famous joke about takalluf: Lucknow, India is notorious for "lakhnauwii takalluf". there were two nawaabs trying to board a train. they would insist each other to board the train first in order to be respectful of the other...they exchanged takallufaat and in the mean time the train left the station...haha
**I think the word 'takalluf' conveys an array of meanings so i don't think one English word would sufficiently convey all the attributes as to it's meaning.
however, i would rather translate "takalluf" as "etiquette"**