Category Archives: Proverbs

Better Late Than Never

Nationality: American
Primary Language: English
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: 02/21/2024

Text:

Better late than never.

Context:

The proverb is a joke between members of the informants family, that they will typically say as they arrive late to events. Their family is notoriously late to family events and other general appointments, and the proverb has become an ironic commentary on their timeliness as they leave the house. The informant does not remember when her family started saying it,

Analysis:

This use of the relatively popular proverb is interesting because it is ironic, joking about the families perpetual lateness, as opposed to a one-off event. This adds further meaning to the proverb, as it evolves and has become a tradition. This proverb typically is used to excuse lateness, citing that showing up at all is good. This is a widely used proverb, as it is an easy way to laugh-off something that is often accidental.

Heal Little Frog Proverb

Nationality: American
Primary Language: English
Other language(s): Spanish
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: 02/21/2024

Text:

Sana sana, colita de rana
Si no sanas hoy
Sanarás mañana

Translation:

Heal heal little frog tail
If you don’t heal today,
you will heal tomorrow

Context:

This is a story the informant learned from her mom who said it to her whenever she was sick or injured. She doesn’t know what the frog part means, but thought it was cute. Her mom would also kiss whatever part was injured right before she said mañana. She further explained that when she calls her mom and is sick, her mom still repeats the proverb. This was a proverb that had been passed down for multiple generations, as the informants mother also heard it from her mother. The informant said that she could not remember a time being sick, where her mom did not say the proverb.

Analysis:

I think that this proverb is an excellent example of one that is passed down through family. The fact that it become a tradition whenever the informant was sick demonstrates that it holds sentimental value, and will most likely continue to do so. This type of proverb also is likely to get passed down, as people tend to positively associate it with family and love. I find it interesting that for many people, proverbs in their native tongue hold a unique level of sentimental value. Furthermore, the proverb’s inclusion of healing the next day is more applicable to sick people, as it reminds them to remain hopeful and focus on getting better, rather than hoping for miracles that may never occur.

Dirty Broom

Nationality: American

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Age: 17

Residence: San Antonio

Text

“An old broom knows the dirty corners best.”

Context

This informant is my little sister. We lived in Texas, New Mexico, and Florida, but we are of Irish descent. We love digging deep into family history, and upon learning this was a popular phrase in Ireland, began using it regularly.

Analysis

This saying is a metaphor for age, knowledge, and the value of experience. The informant and I often use this saying when someone new enters our life and tries to change something that we believe shouldn’t be changed. For example, if there’s a new boss at work who fires a bunch of employees, we’ll say “an old broom knows the dirty corners best” in an almost spiteful way. Interestingly, this past-oriented way of thinking contradicts Dundes’ article discussing future orientation in American worldview. The dirty broom saying praises what is older and more experienced rather than what is deemed ‘newer’, ‘hotter’, or ‘better’ – it challenges novelty, something highly valued in American culture.

Cow Sinner

Nationality: Mexican/American

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): Spanish

Age: 40

Residence: Los Angeles

Text

“Tanto peca el que mata la vaca como el que le agarra la pata.”

Translation

“He who kills the cow sins as much as he who grabs its leg.”

Context

This informant is Mexican/American – his father is from Mexico, and his mother is from the United States. He was born in Mexico, grew up in Los Angeles, stayed in Los Angeles, and visits Mexico for family visits. He was told this proverb by mentors growing up.

Analysis

This proverb means that if someone participated in a crime or something similar, it doesn’t matter to what extent, because he or she is also guilty. It’s a message about guilt and taking accountability for your actions, and it can be used as a warning or disciplinary phrase. Although the specific content refers to a small group of people killing a cow, when taken non-literally, the proverb also serves as a metaphor for group action, however large or small the undertaking. For example, this proverb can be applied to larger societal issues related to politics, religions, etc. Regardless of their specific role in the matter, anyone who takes part in something should be held responsible for the consequences.

The niceties of language

Text: “Manate tsa puo”

Translation: The niceties of language; to beautify language or to pepper your speech with colorful language etc

Context:

K is a middle aged woman who was born and raised in Botswana and lives there currently. This is a common phrase in Setswana —the national language of Botswana. This saying references the customs of the Setswana language. A lot of speech in Setswana is in metaphors and proverbs, making it very difficult to translate directly to english. This phrase is often said to ease people who are having trouble understanding Setswana. It is essentially saying, this language is often unnecessarily convoluted, therefore you mustn’t feel bad when you do not understand. K used and heard this saying very often in her work in advertisement while working with business clientele who were not native Setswana speakers.

Analysis/Interpretation:

A saying such as this comes from an astute awareness of the perspective of outsiders that is incredibly interesting to observe in Botswana culture. Known for being very friendly and welcoming people, who are also very proud of their culture, it is unsurprising to have a saying that acknowledges the difficulties outsiders may face, encouraging them, while simultaneously complementing their language’s idiosyncrasies.