И така, по така, а така

October 11, 2011 9:05 PM

Rafael Aguilar always wanted to make a difference, and for more than two years the he has done just that in eastern Europe. On Monday, the 25-year-old returned to Bregovo, Bulgaria, where he has been teaching English to students in grades 1 through 12, to extend his stay for a third - and final - year as a Peace Corps volunteer. He plans to continue working toward improving his students’ understanding of the English language. Aguilar’s return to the village of 1,500 residents that he has called home since 2009 comes weeks after he made a star appearance on X Factor Bulgaria singing in Bulgarian.

The text of the song in rough English:
Tell me dear white cloud where do you come from, where my fly
I never saw my father yards and i not heard my mother talking.
What does my child sweetly, with strangers, foreign shares bread.
You tell her, dear white cloud, I'm alive and well, that you saw me here.
And brings from me a lot of health a mine, little remained.
Approaching the village to go back to go back to hug my mother.
to return to my mother hugged

His blog recounts his life in Bulgaria and his experience with X Factor
Post on Peace Corp Worldwide

posted by Blasdelb (13 comments total)

that was awesome.
posted by nadawi at 9:23 PM on October 11, 2011

Impressive. Je ne peux pas chanter en français. But I can't sing in English either.
posted by jeffburdges at 9:23 PM on October 11, 2011

(There has also got to be a Mefite who can generate a better translation)
posted by Blasdelb at 9:30 PM on October 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

He seems to have a genuine love for the Bulgarian people and respect. I really relate to how coming back felt for him. People said some similar things to me about Bosnia.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 10:34 PM on October 11, 2011

Bay area pinoys represent! Nicely done.
posted by benzenedream at 12:16 AM on October 12, 2011

That was great, now if you'll excuse me, it's rather dusty in here and there's something in my eye.
posted by arcticseal at 5:12 AM on October 12, 2011

My wife did this in Taiwan years ago. She did not win.
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 6:06 AM on October 12, 2011

If I knew you could go to Bulgaria in the Peace Corp I would have joined long ago. Bulgaria is awesome.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:25 AM on October 12, 2011

You could also go to Moldova, Potomac Avenue, so don't be too quick to rush off!
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 6:32 AM on October 12, 2011

Too late I'm already on the boat. Pazardjik or Bust!
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:40 AM on October 12, 2011

They make you take a boat now? Geez, these budget cuts are getting ridiculous!
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 7:08 AM on October 12, 2011

This is cute, but in what crucial ways is it different from that Nigerian fellow who sings Maoist propaganda songs?
posted by Nomyte at 7:21 AM on October 12, 2011

Your rough translation is pretty close and one can probably infer the actual meaning. Bulgarian is notoriously hard for automated or word-for-word translations, and while this text is a children's song with simple grammar, it has a bunch of odd particles and phrasings which adjust the rhythm but confuse the meaning. Bulgarian has a lot of common with Perl, so to speak.

Anyway, here's my translation, though I can't quite preserve the poetry aspect.


Tell me little white cloud
Where do you come from
Where did you fly through
Did you not see my father's yard
Did you not hear my mother say
How is my beloved child
Away with strangers, sharing others' bread
You tell her, little white cloud,
That you saw me here, alive and well
And bring her a greeting
Long time has passed, little remains
Soon I will go back to our village
I will go back to hug my mother.



Also, this Rafael guy is incredible. Thank you for sharing.
posted by ivancho at 1:54 PM on October 12, 2011 [1 favorite]