I found the following at Ed Feser’s place. I wonder what Vito and the rest of you think of it. I myself have taken “Death to America” as a highly credible threat and the statement of a policy the Iranian regime intends to carry out if we let them acquire nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them.
-
Hello, EXE, I agree, that’s another silly talking point.
. . . I figure that I ought to take the time to clear up one particularly stupid talking point that I’ve also seen brought up: the fact that the Iranians say “Death to America” being interpreted as evidence of ruthless savagery or genocidal intent. This requires you to interpret the phrase in a thuddingly literal manner, despite the fact that the Iranians don’t use it that way, and the regime’s officials have repeatedly clarified that that isn’t what it means.
Yes, if you translate “Marg bar Âmrikâ” literally, that’s what it means, but repeated usage has made it clear that it’s intended to be interpreted as opposition to American empire and policy towards Muslim countries. It’s why official Iranian government documents translate it as “Down with America” instead, because that’s more in line with the spirit of what the phrase actually means.