Language so rich it almost defies translation

JVL Introduction

In her latest Guardian column, Nesrine Malik hails the Palestinian journalists targeted for assassination, not only for their heroism but also for the examplary quality of their work. She remarks on the richness of the language they employ, which often leaves her struggling for appropriate English words when translating from the Arabic.

She writes:

What the Israeli government is trying to do with these killings is not just stop the stream of damning reports and footage, but annihilate the very image of Palestinians that these media professionals convey. The credibility, dignity and talent that Gaza’s journalists exhibit to the world in their reports and social media posts has to be extinguished.

It is shameful that international media has not only failed to protest at the fate of their Palestinian colleagues, they have in many instances actively collaborated in their elimination. See here the UK Screen Industry call for the BBC to be held to account for its role.

See also from New Arab, a reminder of Israel’s efforts to silence the news from Palestine dating back to the 1990s and before.

NWI

This article was originally published by The Guardian on Mon 18 Aug 2025. Read the original here.