Literal translation
hobbling along, swaying
Meaning
swaying gently, to and fro
Explanation
Balin-balan is an expressive word formed by a rhythmic repetition that mimics, in its very sound, the gentle, steady swaying it describes: that of a body swaying, of a gait that hobbles along without hurry, of an object rocking peacefully. The variant balalin-balalan stretches the sound pattern even further, reinforcing the sense of a continuous, easy to-and-fro. In its literal sense, it describes a physical swaying motion, like a boat rocked by the water or a stroller ambling along unhurried. Through a natural shift, the figurative sense extends to any action carried out calmly, without haste or worry, whether running errands or going about some other task. The register is familiar and warm, and the expression belongs to that Provençal stock of onomatopoeic, reduplicated words describing a relaxed, untroubled way of moving or being.