'File 14/115 VIII B 15 Abu Musa. Red oxide concession.' [‎95r] (196/401)

69
at rest, I, your brother, am knowledgable and well versed in matters of business, and
am far from acting in such a way as you indicate. He has not the presumption to
make overtures to me in that direction. For, just as I told yon, he is only a purchaser
of the oxide itself, nothing more. Whether it be he or someone else, whoever wants
to buy the oxide from me, if the price suits me I shall sell it. Do not let any idea
beyond this enter your head. You may rest assured.
(Letter goes on to speak of other matters.)
Appendix 24.
The Bev. S. M. Zwemer to Lieutenant-Colonel Cox.
Bahrein, May 29, 1911.
With reference to the meaning of the Arabic sentence and the probable intention
of the writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. in using those words concerning which point you 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 feminine 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 question, 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 sentence, and I find that they agree with 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
preference to the former translation of the sentence as the obvious and natural intention
of the writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. .
Although my opinion does not carry weight beyond that of others who have a
speaking and reading knowledge of Arabic, yet I feel confident that in this case it is
not a matter of expert grammatical opinion, but of everyday usage in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
and I have no hesitation in saying that the first translation is the right one.
Appendix 25.
Note hij Khan Bahadur Abdul Latif on the meaning of the doubtful passage in his
Letter to Hassan Samieh, dated 8th Zilhejjeh, 1324 (January 23, 1907).
I beg to refer to the sentence in my letter dated 8th Zilhijjeh, 1324 (23rd January,
1907), which runs as follows :—
and about the meaning of which there have been arguments.
I beg to say that my meaning when 1 wrote the sentence was :—
(" The annulment of this agreement is better than the acceptance of this
agreement.") # ^ i
It is not hidden from your Honour that I received my education in the Gulf, and
that I am not an expert in the niceties of grammar and the shades of meaning of
various measures of words. When I write f I write according to the usages and under-
fitanding of the community in which I live.