| “ |
عباس! عباس! اسمحوا لي أن أتفقد عباس! |
” |
The Syrian Man was a fictional Third Class passenger in the 1997 Film Titanic. He was portrayed by Romeo Francis. He was traveling with his wife and children.
Biography[]
It's likely that the man and his family boarded at Cherbourg or Southampton. They were travelling with two or three children, and they had a friend or family member aboard, Abbas.
During the sinking, the man and his family struggled as all the signs were in English, a language they did not speak. Luckily, the man carried an English and Arabic translation book. The stewards' orders were more confusing. As a Steward came in their room and tore the lifejacket off the shelf and muttered something in English, his wife shrugged and asked what was said.
Later, the Syrian Man decides it is best to go check on their friend or family member, Abbas. He tried to translate many signs on the walls, and the crowds began to grow thick. His wife yelled at him to hurry up, and he told her what he was trying to do - or, the wife yelled at him that Bill was coming. Then, two passengers pushed past the family.
Translation Errors[]
Due to Arabic not being a common language (English, German, Portugese, Chinese, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese) some of the translations are off.
Ralph Anderson believes that the wife translates as "Hey, hey, Bill is coming."
In another, the man says "Let me check again."
The correct translation is "Come on, hurry up!" and "Abbas! Abbas! Let me check on Abbas."
Trivia[]
- "Abbas" means "Lion" so if they were an English family, the relative's name could have been Lyon or Lionel.