Author Archives: Aaron Fotedar

Hindi Proverb

Nationality: Kashmiri, Indian
Age: 62
Occupation: Physician
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada
Language: Hindi

Text: बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद

English Phonetic: Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad.

Translation: What does a monkey know of the taste of ginger.

Context: Informant first recalls hearing this proverb while in primary education(elementary school) when living in Jammu and Kashmir. Informant, however, details that they have heard it numerous times throughout their life in India, prior to moving to the United States. Informant would return home from school and inform their mother about their Muslim classmates’ inability to acknowledge or understand the informant’s religion, Hinduism. Upon hearing this, the mother would relay this proverb to get the informant to see that, sometimes, you cannot explain something to someone who upbringing does not allow them to understand it. Informant now understands the logic behind this proverb, however they failed to acknowledge it during their youth because of the trauma’s associated with the Kashmir conflict. This was a conflict over national rights to Kashmir that had religious and cultural roots between Hindus and Muslims. Informant know relays this proverb to their children to display that some things can not be explained to all people based on their upbringing. Informant makes it clear, thought, that this lack of understanding should never lead to conflict.

Analysis: When doing research on this proverb and seeing if other oicotypes or renditions existed in the world, I found that it is a commonly expressed idiom in South America. There, it holds the same traditional meaning that the informant believes it does. The nuance of the informants detailing of the proverb comes from the idea that a lack of ability to understand should never lead to conflict. This stems directly from the informants experiences in the Kashmir conflict, an event they would never want to bear witness to again. This highlights a slight semantic shift in the wisdom provided by this proverb. It no longer only serves as a means of understanding why people cannot come to understand certain things, but also a manner of preventing unnecessary conflict rooted in this inability.

Might is Right

Nationality: Kashmiri, Indian
Age: 62
Occupation: Physician
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada
Language: English

Text: Might is Right.

Context: Informant first heard this proverb at Hahnemann University Hospital located in Philadelphia. During informant’s time as a medical student, a fellow classmate commonly relayed this proverb in reference to the dominating presence of attending physicians. Informant describes a situation in which he informed an attending that they made a misjudgment in a patient’s charts. The attending physician dismissed the informant’s suggestion and made an effort to criticize most of their input after this interaction. Informant was first told this proverb when discussing the situation with the classmate. Informant interprets this proverb as a means of justifying the power dynamics associated with medical school and residency. Informant believes that the hierarchy of power, which is based on years of experience, can be used to undermine others opinions, even if accurate.

Analysis: I believe it is important that the informant first heard of this proverb when they came to the United States. It highlights the power dynamics that are prevalent in many professional settings throughout the country. Even in politics, this proverb holds true. With the informant, I discussed the power of the current President, Donald Trump. We discussed how this proverb, and the way it in engrained into American culture, allows for President Trump to take action on things he may be uninformed or objectively incorrect about. Because of his might as President, as well as a dominating businessman and internet persona, he is able to do things that would typically be frowned upon. This idea extends into other groups of people as well. The rich are always right because of their wealth. The educated are always right because they are educated. The United States is always right because of our power. The American culture has engrained this proverb into its institutions and people, and it exists both explicitly and secretly in many interactions.

Patience is a Virtue

Nationality: Iranian- American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Language: English

Text: Patience is a Virtue.

Context: Informant first heard this proverb, from word of mouth, when they moved to college. Informant, however, does acknowledged hearing some rendition of this proverb from films before hearing it from their mother. Informant was on the phone with their mother complaining about the dynamics of dating in college. When emphasizing their desire to find “the one”, the informant’s mother responded with this proverb. Because this is a commonly discussed topic for the informant and their mother, this phrase is heard at least once a month. Thought the informant finds it annoying, they acknowledge the truth and underlying wisdom of the proverb. They are also aware that their mother has their best intentions in mind, so they recognize the importance of the phrase.

Analysis: Upon having this conversation, I immediately began to consider why the informant described being slightly annoyed by the repetition of this proverb. I, too, agree that it becomes slightly annoying to hear. I think this is likely associated with Gen Z’s desire for instant satisfaction. In almost all aspects of life, such as wealth, romance, and health, Generation Z seeks out the quickest way to achieve results. This proverb dives into the truths of hard work that are so closely tied to older generations. The differences between the ideals and philosophies of these generations is what causes some irritation when hearing this proverb. I believe the ease of access to everything, via the internet, and the instant satisfaction that is provided by this ease, is key to understanding the generational differences in acceptance of this proverb. I am curious to see if aging will revert Gen Z’s beliefs on this proverb, or if technological advancements will continue to widen the gap.

Proverbs of Friendships

Nationality: Korean- American, Indigenous
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Language: English

Text: A Friend to All is a Friend to None

Context: Informant is a diehard Taylor Swift fan who can recognize and recite most of her discography. When asked if they knew any proverbs, informant immediately began thinking of certain lines they have heard in Swift’s music. Informant then recited, in a melodic fashion, “A friend to all is a friend to none,” from Swift’s song Cardigan. Informant describes that this proverb seems too old- fashioned to use in daily speech. However, they do describe the application of its message to daily life. Being a college student, Informant describes how this proverb allows them to understand and stay precautious of relationship dynamics at a large university. The informant describes that their choice to withhold certain information from certain people, being fearful they may tell it to others, it rooted in this proverb.

Analysis: I believe this proverb, and the specific interaction in which it was brought up, offers many insights into the modern distribution of folklore. Music, especially on a mass scale, has the ability to distribute messages to large groups. These folk groups are specific, however, as they are all listeners of the genre. It is also interesting to note that this proverb was recited in a manner very similar to how it was sung in the song. This preservation of oral- tradition may be unique to music, at least in terms of large scale distribution, as the audience canonizes this specific rendition. This proverb, and its non-melodic oicotypes, are likely to become more popular as technology advances because of the modern ease of spreading information. Especially within the youth populations, social media has become a primary means of forming and destroying relationships. As a people, we value trust. Social media has the ability to violate this trust at an unprecedented speed, allowing this proverb to be even more important now than it was in the past.