Context: My informant is a 29 year-old man who is of Cuban descent. He grew up in San Diego and still lives there. He described a joke that was told to him by his grandfather. Although he does not personally relate to the joke, he still finds it funny because his grandfather laughed so much… Continue Reading »
Sara comes from a traditionally American family. However she told me about the time when she spent new years with her Cuban friend: “It was very strange Alex. They filled champagne glasses with grapes! They ate them real fast. Then her grandmother walked up to everyone with a suit case. They each out an item in… Continue Reading »
estomago lleno, corazón contento In English, this translates into “Full stomach, happy heart”. The source learned this saying from his host family when he studied abroad in Spain. His host family was Cuban, so he’s not sure if this saying comes from Spain or Cuba. This proverb reflects the Spanish culture’s deep appreciation for good… Continue Reading »
Más vale un pájaro en la mano que cinco en vuelo. A bird in hand is worth more than five in flight. My informant, who is bi-lingual, remembers hearing this proverb from her grandmother, born in 1915, and who moved to the United States from Cuba in 1976. (My informant’s mother came to the… Continue Reading »
El que madruga, Dios le ayuda. The one that rises early, God aids. (Similar Proverb: Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.) My informant, who is bilingual, remembers hearing this proverb from her grandmother, born in 1915, and who moved to the United States from Cuba in 1976. (My… Continue Reading »