Marwan and Katia are chatting when an incoming phone message alert interrupts their conversation. The interruption sparks a discussion about how smartphones affect in-person meetings and conversations. During their debate, the two explore the upsides and downsides of the super computers in the palms of our hands and make a plan to reduce how often smartphones impede their time together.
Lebanese Arabic Transcript and English Contextual Translation
مروان: عفواً كاتيا. بعرف إنو مش دايماً عنا الفرصة نجتمع، بس وصلتلي رسالة الكترونية من مديري ولازم اقريا.
Marwan: Excuse me Katia. I know we do not always have the opportunity to meet, but I just got an e-mail from my boss and I have to read it.
كاتيا: أوف. مأخر الوقت ليبعتلك رسالة، بتمنى يكون كل شي منيح.
Katia: Ohhh. It is late that he sends you a message. I hope all is well.
مروان: قريتو بسرعة لأنو الرسالة قصيرة. ما شكلو في شي ضروري، فيني رد عليه بعدين.
Marwan: I skimmed it because the message is short. It doesn’t seem there is anything urgent. I can reply to him later.