Nationality: Colombian
Age: 22
Residence: Los Angeles, Mexico, Colombia
Primary Language: Spanish
Type: Folk Nursery Rhyme
- “Sana que sana, colita de rana si no sanas hoy sanarás mañana.” Translation from Spanish to English: “Heal, heal, little frog’s bottom, if you don’t heal today, you’ll heal tomorrow.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my friend Daniela. Daniela was born and partially raised (only for a couple years) in the country of Columbia, in the city of Bogota. Since she spent a significant part of her childhood in Columbia, she remembers fondly this nursey rhyme. She was told this by her parents, friends of her parents, teachers, and other adults in her life. When appropriate and applicable, Daniela still sings the rhyme in her head, even if the listener is not Columbian or speaks Spanish. The translation from Spanish to English was provided by Daniela, who is multilingual.
- This rhyme has a specific role in Columbian life and culture. It is said whenever a child or young falls down and/or hurt themselves in the process. According to Daniela, this rhyme is one of the first thing you learn as a child. It is normal for adults to say this to children anywhere and jokingly to teens or adults under the age of 50. This is not just something said on the playground or at school, it is said anywhere, but only when children fall to the ground. It would also be rude to say this when older people (over the age of 50) fall.
- I really enjoy this short little rhyme. In American society we have similar sayings, such as “kaboom!” Clearly the Columbian version is longer, but what is interesting about this is that, according to Daniela, the saying is widely known by Columbians, especially since it is something learned during childhood. The rhyme is apart of the Columbian identity which is very special.
Nationality: Colombian
Age: 22
Residence: Los Angeles, Mexico, Colombia
Primary Language: Spanish
Type: Fixed Phrase
- “A buen entendedor pocas palabras bastan” Translation from Spanish to English: “A word to the wise is sufficient.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my friend Daniela. Daniela was born and partially raised (only for a couple years) in the country of Columbia, in the city of Bogota. After a couple years she left and moved to another country, but in her adulthood, she has gone back and visited. Both of her parents are Columbian as well. So, according to Daniela, this fixed phrase/saying is incredibly common in Columbia, about “everyone says it.” As a child, she did not know about the saying, but as an adult when her parents and older individuals in Columbia started saying it to her, she knew that is was not just a saying but apart of the Columbian identity. The translation was provided by Daniela as well, who is multilingual.
- The saying is something that you wouldn’t say to a friend or peer, but parents or elders say to younger generations. Ultimately, the saying means that, for those who are wise, simplicity in language is enough to communicate a desired message. For the wise, “one word” is good enough. Not literally “one word” but the idea of simplicity being the better answer for those who can understand. That is the key to the saying, “the wise.” If you are not wise, then you will need a longer and more complex explanation, according to this saying and Columbian culture.
- I really enjoy this saying, insofar that I believe it is true, and accurate. Especially in American culture, we tend to avoid simplicity in our language and in our ways of communication, but most of the time the simple answer is the right answer…for those who are capable of understanding it.
Nationality: American
Age: 23
Residence: San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Primary Language: English
Type: Superstition/Folk Belief
- “Apparently it’s good luck to get a haircut before a baseball game. Having a clean haircut and fresh look gives good luck for the game. Helps your chances while batting.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my older brother, Noah. Noah is three years older than me, and he is incredibly passionate about sports. All throughout his life, Noah played basketball, football, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, but more importantly baseball. My brother played baseball throughout his life, and he had many different teammates and coaches. One of his coaches, who also happened to be a family friend, told him this superstition about getting a haircut before the game. Ever since he heard this he has tried to get a haircut before ever baseball game, but it only happened every so often. He was not consistent with his folk belief but he tried.
- In sports, there are a lot of superstitions, and especially in baseball. This piece of folklore circulates around baseball players, although probably non-professional players. Noah does not think that this is believed among professional players but him and his teammates, friends, and peers all knew about this haircut superstition. Every athlete has their own superstitions according to Noah, but this is the only one that he knows of that is considered “universal.” Noah does not play baseball now, and so he does not currently believe in this superstition. Nor does he tell his friends about this superstition anymore, it seems as though it was meant for younger baseball players.
- I really do not like this piece of folklore. I am superstitious but I a) believe superstitions are unique to the individual and b) I don’t believe in sports superstitions. I don’t think that the way you look or the clothes you wear can affect your performance, however I do believe in other superstitions, making my beliefs inconsistent.
Nationality: American
Age: 23
Residence: San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Primary Language: English
Type: Legend
- “So the baseball player Wade Boggs, apparently drank 70 or 150 beers, something ridiculous, on a way to a game, and then he played either that day or the next day. I think he hit a home run too.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my older brother, Noah. Noah is three years older than me, and he is incredibly passionate about sports. He follows baseball, basketball, and football—and so do all his friends. He said that he heard this legend from a friend of his who is from the East Coast. According to his friend, the legend also appears in the hit T.V show, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and as a result of this the legend has been made widespread.
- The legend is told spread throughout group of individuals who have an interest in baseball, among multiple generations. Wade Boggs, the baseball player, during his career, was an important and well known athlete. He played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, making his major league baseball career last a total of 18 years—although, he primarily spent his career with the Red Sox. The legend about him is quite dramatic, and also very shocking. This alone makes the legend worth spreading among baseball fans, as it is almost hard to believe.
- I personally don’t care for baseball or baseball players so I do not really find this legend interesting or cool. I do however, find it incredibly hard to believe, and if it were true I would be extraordinarily shocked and honestly extremely confused. I think because of the fact that I do not follow baseball, I do not want to believe this legend either. If I heard a similar legend about a sport that I do care about, I would find myself believing it more easily.
Nationality: American
Age: 23
Residence: San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Primary Language: English
Type: Joke
- “What is the difference between a BMW and a porcupine? Porcupines have pricks on the outside.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my older brother, Noah. Noah is three years older than me, and he is incredibly passionate about cars. His collective knowledge of cars is immense, and he spends a significant amount of time devoted to his interest in cars. Noah told me he heard this joke from his friends, who also care deeply about cars, none of whom own BMWs (which is important to note). To him, the joke is accurate, honest, and quite funny.
- The joke’s humor lies in the fact that BMW owners are notoriously known for being rude, jerks, and wild drivers (at least where we are both from, being California). The joke is usually told to people who do not drive BMWs, and even more so people who have a distain for BMW drivers.
- I love this joke, I think it is accurate and it is honest. Unlike many of the other folklore I collected, this joke is modern; if it was told 200 years ago, it would not make any sense. It would not have meaning if it were told anytime other than in the present. I also don’t know how long the common belief that “BMW drivers are jerks” has been circulating through American culture (at least). I’m wondering if in other countries people would laugh at this joke, or if they would not understand it at all. I am not sure if this is a Californian joke only or if it can even be applied to other states.
