dragoman
1
9.9
A person who translated and guided foreign visitors in the Middle East in the past
- noun
- /ˈdræɡəˌmæn/
- Archaic
:
dragomán
- B. Lewis's From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting the Middle East, in a chapter titled "Iran in History," states that "the name Iran is ancient, but its current use is modern."
Examples
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"Mustafa was an old dragoman who had for decades guided tourists through the pyramids.
Fiction book (2000) -
The dragoman helped the travelers navigate the busy market in Istanbul.
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During the expedition, the experienced dragoman provided invaluable assistance to the diplomats.
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As we explored the ancient ruins, our dragoman shared fascinating stories about the history of the region.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Dragoman comes from the Arabic word tarjumān, which means 'interpreter'. A helpful image is a traveler or diplomat in the Near East who needed someone to 'speak for them' and act as a local guide, which is why a dragoman was an interpreter and official guide in the Ottoman Empire.