Another of my ten words in Arabic.

[randomness]

واسْطة (wasta). It's kind of close to 关系 (guanxi), and kind of close to блат (blat).

That these languages all have a word for a similar and overlapping concept is significant, I think.

Comments

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

Guanxi! I know that one! A relationship, through which things are accomplished ouside official channels, vaguely akin to American "networking".

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Yeah, although all the other terms imply some informal or even underhanded relationship that generally doesn't attach to "networking".

[beowabbit]

I looked wasta up when you mentioned it the other day, and that got me on a fun romp through Wikipedia.

It’s more specific, but there’s “the old-boy network” in English (and of course things like “pull” or “clout”, which are less specific).

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I also think it's interesting that English doesn't have a word that really expresses the same idea. As you said, we have a phrase that's more specific, or words that are less specific.

[achinhibitor.livejournal.com]

The English is "pull" or "connections".

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Not exactly, but those do seem the closest.

Corruption isn't as pervasive in English-speaking countries, is my thought.

[stolen-tea.livejournal.com]

Ah! "Suction"!

[dirque.livejournal.com]

When I try to explain guanxi, I focus on the unspoken obligations and rights of a relationship. E.g. how the SO automatically is assumed to have shotgun when riding a car. But with everyone about a multitude of things.