Just For Fun

By Bazaar Staff 14/04/2016
MAKE DISNEY MASRI AGAIN
The new voiceover controversy taking the internet by storm

We want to talk about what is going on with the internet and Disney’s efforts to dub the Arabic language into their western-made animated blockbusters and television shows. Apparently, Arab viewers are not impressed with Disney’s choice to replace the effervescent Egyptian dialect used to voiceover their productions to appeal to the Middle Eastern demographic with the classical Arabic language.

And do we really blame them for feeling this way?

With a vehement hashtag sweeping the internet, (mainly Twitter) labeled  (#Disney_in_Egyptian), Arab viewers are protesting Disney Studios’ choice by proclaiming that the switch would take away from the humor and depth Disney characters speaking in Egyptian adds to the plot.

Protesting this issue extends beyond the general public. The infamous Mohamed Henedy, well known for his comedic stylings in the region, and for voicing loveable characters in Disney’s Arabic dubbed productions, such as Mike in Monsters, Inc. and Timon in The Lion King, is not only heavily involved, but has likely spearheaded the movement. Based on his Twitter feed, it’s obvious that the entertainer feels very strongly about Disney Studios’ decision to take the Egyptian dialect out of Disney, and not only because it would affect his job — but because it doesn’t make sense!
The general response to this issue is very understandable, as the Egyptian dialect is known throughout the region to be relatable, light-hearted, sarcastic and pleasantly dramatic– as well as the fact that it is one of the more regionally comprehensible dialects of the Arabic language.

On the other hand, many could argue that other dialects such as Syrian or Lebanese would deliver a similar effect, but we can’t deny that there’s something about using the charismatic Egyptian dialect in animation, and how the playful dialect takes characters to another level.

If Disney was to dub their productions in classical Arabic, the effect would surely be lost. Furthermore, while it’s important for children building their craft in the Arabic language to know how to speak formally, this is what Arabic classes and literature are for – not cartoons. Cartoons are meant to be as entertaining and lighthearted as they are educational, so having a characters like Timon and Pumba from The Lion King  franchise speaking in classical dialect would completely defeat the purpose.

It might work for Scar, though – we’re just saying.

The best solution for this predicament comes down to compromise. When we watch our Disney classics in English, the characters tend to offer a different range of dialects that enhance their backstories and characteristics.Very few of them speak formally (unless we’re looking at uber classics such as Cinderella or Snow White.) But for the most part, characters are meant to be relatable, despite the era in which the story takes place, because they have to appeal to a general audience.

Even Shakespeare was using modern and cutting edge language for his time!

The point is, Disney Studios can afford to dub some productions in classical Arabic if they choose to do so, but it really depends on which they would use. Snow White works, and maybe even Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, but try watching Monsters, Inc. in any dialect other than Egyptian.

But, in order to keep characters relatable and movies lighthearted and entertaining, they should definitely stick to the Egyptian dialect dub. If it ain’t broke, why fix it, Disney?

Here’s an interesting video for those who would like to learn more about the situation, and what Henedy has to say about it.

 

How do you all feel about this? Should Disney stay Egyptian, or do you think it’s time for something new?

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