Come From Away

A Note on Translated Language

Our team worked to ensure that the language in this production (Arabic, Spanish, Kiswahili Sanifu, Hindi, Hebrew, German, French, and various English dialects) — some of which is context-specific or even sacred — is culturally sound and grammatically correct.

Click here to discover translations of non-English language in the play.

A Note on Translated Language

Our team worked to ensure that the language in this production (Arabic, Spanish, Kiswahili Sanifu, Hindi, Hebrew, German, French, and various English dialects) — some of which is context-specific or even sacred — is culturally sound and grammatically correct.

We hope this resource interrupts cultural misunderstanding and fosters curiosity and community across cultures.

Special Thanks, in no particular order, to Dr. Muhammad Eissa, Fortunata Msilu, Eli Newell, Bindu Poroori, Muryem Quadri, Fouad Teymour, Elizabeth Rosner, PhD, Shubari Bocko, Michael Delany, Aurore Osellame, Casey Wells, Hersh R. Khetarpal, Acharya, Vidya Iyer, Harper Caruso, Sofia Martinez, Rabbi Adir Glick, The Tanzanian Community Association, The Silk Road Cultural Center, The Alliance Française, Temple Har Zion in River Forest, and The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago – without these individuals and organizations, we would not have the accurate and authentic translations we have listed here, nor would we have the pronunciation recordings our actors have used for reference.

Discover translations of non-English language in the play below (listed in chronological order):

“Damen und Herren: dieses ist Ihr pilot. Wir haben eine Situation in den America. Es hat eine Terroristtätigkeit gegeben und wir werden bestellt, in Kanada zu landen.”

“Ladies and gentlemen: this is your pilot. We have a situation in America. There has been terrorist activity, and we have been ordered to land in Canada.”

“Mesdames et Messieurs nous allons faire un court arrêt à Gander, Terre-Neuve pour prendre de l’essence. Merci beaucoup pour votre patience.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will be making a short stop in Gander, Newfoundland to get gas. Thank you very much for your patience.”

“Señoras y Señores, por favor regresen a sus asientos y abrochense los cinturones. Vamos aterrizar en Newfoundland.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts. We’re about to land in Newfoundland.”

“Wewe watuchukuwa wapi?”

“Where are you taking us?”

“Si, hablo Español – es la lengua del amor. No sólo soy un profesor de gimnasia, soy un profesor de pasión.”

“Yes, I speak Spanish – it is the language of love. I’m not only a gym teacher, I’m a teacher of passion.”

“KATI YA GIZA
GHAFLA MWANGAZA
PANDE ZOTE NI SISI
GIZA NA MITI
KATI YA GIZA
GHAFLA MWANGAZA
MA-BADILIKO
GIZA NA MITI
KATI YA GIZA
MA-BADILIKO”

“Out of the darkness, suddenly brightness, we surrounded, darkness and trees. Out of the darkness, suddenly brightness, everything changes, darkness and trees. Out of the darkness, everything changes.”

“Oseh shalom bim’romav
Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu
V’al kol Yisrael
V’imru v’imru amen.”

“May the one who brings peace
bring peace on us
and on all the People Israel*
and we say amen.”

*In the song “Prayer,” the Hebrew word “Yisrael” connotes both the ancient land as well as the People or Nation Israel, in other words, the entire global Jewish community. Its direct translation of “Yisrael” is “one who wrestles with God,” as the name given to Jacob in the Torah following his struggle with an angel.

“Asato Maa
Sad-Gamaya
Tamaso Maa
Jyotire-Famaya
Mrityor-Maa –
Mritan Gamaya
Om shaantih
Shaantih
Shaantih”

“Lead me from illusion (or ignorance) to truth. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality. Om, Peace, peace, peace.”

“Allahu Akbar
Subhan Rabbi al Azeem
Allahu Akbar
Subhaan Rabbia Al-Aala’a
Allahu Akbar
“Assalamualaikum Assalamualaikum”

“Allah/God is Greater
Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent (Or, How Perfect is my Lord, the Supreme)
Allah/God is Greater
Glory to my Lord, the Most High
Allah/God is Greater
Peace be upon you, peace be upon you.”

“Ana Kwayiss AIhamduUiaUah. El aakl hena helw awi. Hagga Faw a el wassif. Lekin (pause) fee ness (naass), fee naass kateera hena. Be-yeboosooly akiny Irtakept gereema.”

“I am well, thanks be to God. The food here is very good. It is incredible. But, there are people, there are a lot of people here. They look at me as if I have committed a crime.”

“MaaMa, Laazim ‘afil el sikha delwaa’ty—salaam. Bahibik —”

“I have to go now – bye. I love you –“

Thank you for reading!

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