Author Archives: Kathy LeCates

Proverb

Nationality: Caucasian
Age: 21
Residence: New York, NY
Performance Date: March 10, 2008
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Proverb

“Six of one, half a dozen of the other.”

My sister uses this proverb all the time.  We come from a family that uses a lot of proverbs, especially my mom who has one for every situation.  This one in particular she uses a lot, and now my sister uses it all the time, too.  The phrase “Sex of one, half a dozen of the other” essentially means that two seemingly different situations will bring about the same result or have the same effect at the end of the day.  It can be interpreted in a variety of ways; my sister uses it for simple activities, for comparing objects, and most often for giving advice when I or her friends get into emotional situations.

I think these types of proverbs are very popular because they are simple and to the point.  While it needs to be interpreted to some extent, it’s not difficult and it is generally very straightforward and easy to understand.  Especially today, when people are running around and often busy, proverbs that are simple and easy to understand tend to be more popular rather than older, more complicated versions.

I think this proverb in particular is also really effective because it simplifies a difficult situation.  I, for example, have really taken it into consideration when discussing certain issues with my sister.  I tend to overanalyze and over think situations and how I should react to them.  When my sister reminds me of this particular proverb, it is effective because I realize that I stress out for no reason and no matter what I do or think I will still be led to the same result.  I know that this is true for my mother and a lot of my sisters’ friends as well because she uses it a lot and says she generally gets a changed reaction if the person she is talking to had been really stressed out.

I also tend to think that this proverb is commonly used in my family because of the humor behind it.  Since my mom uses proverbs so often, we jokingly poke fun at her a lot.  Sometimes, even if it doesn’t make sense, we’ll recite proverbs like this one that she says to joke around and add a little bit of humor to a situation.  Though proverbs are more than often useful and convenient, they can also serve the purpose of holding significance in a family.  Whether it is in a more serious sense, like when my sister gives advice, or in a more joking sense, like with my mom, this proverb proves to be very popular and used often.

Annotation: Jack, Albert. Red Herrings and White Elephants: The Origins of Phrases we Use Everyday. “Bite the Bullet” Harper Collins Publishers, 2005.

Ancestry Story

Nationality: Caucasian
Age: 64
Occupation: Retired
Residence: Essex Falls, NJ
Performance Date: April 24, 2008
Primary Language: English

Ancestry Rumor

“There has always been a rumor that the LeCates family ancestors were seafaring pirates.  Another rumor is that we come from a band of thieves in France.”

These amusing rumors about our ancestry are said to have started a very long time ago.  It is obviously quite unclear as to whether there is actually any truth to the rumors, but they have provided amusement to the family for years.  We bring it up a lot at family events and holidays that many of us gather for, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving.  My family generally has a great sense of humor, so we enjoy talking about anything that could provide humor.

I believe this rumor started because of our last name, LeCates.  We are of French decent, though many generations ago.  We don’t really consider ourselves French, but every once in a while if something amusing comes up we’ll associate ourselves as a joke.  The particular rumor about being a band of thieves in France most likely came up because we also happen to be a troublemaking family (to some extent, not necessarily in a serious way.)  We tend to enjoying fooling around pulling pranks, etc.  Sometimes we really do get into trouble with the law for tickets or driving and whatnot, and that specifically is when the rumors come out and start getting repeated.  When these situations are combined with out good sense of humor, this creates a perfect environment to stir up old rumors.

The “seafaring pirates” rumor is very similar in that it comes up when any member of our family gets into any kind of trouble.  This rumor in particular comes up when my siblings or I talk about our spending money.  If we had gone out a lot recently or had done a lot of shopping and realize the next day that we’re starting to run low on cash, we joke around that our seafaring ancestors took it.  We say the same thing if money somehow goes missing, as well.  This rumor tends to provide a lot of humor because it can be interpreted, shared, and repeated in a variety of ways.

Family ancestry rumors tend to be very common because they involve a sense of pride.  Even if it seems to be a somewhat negative rumor, like this one, it is still a way of recognizing and identifying a family.  This makes the members of the family feel proud for their heritage, gives them something to talk about, and helps them feel even more connected with each other to have something to peculiar in common.

Proverb – Japanese

Nationality: Japanese
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Pasadena, CA
Performance Date: April 30, 2008
Primary Language: Japanese
Language: English

Japanese Proverb

“Baka wa shinanakya naoranai.”

“Fools won’t be cured until they die; only death will cure a fool.”

“A tiger can’t change it’s stripes.”

My best friend Ayano is Japanese, and she says that a big part of Japanese culture is the use of proverbs.  As a significantly older country, unlike the United States which is younger and with a mixed variety of cultures, Japan has a lot of older traditions, methods, and proverbs that people still reference today and that are characteristic of their culture in particular.

This proverb references natural intention when addressing an individual’s character.  The word “fools” references individuals who make bad decisions or do things without considering the effects of their actions.  By indicating “cured,” it implies that some may think that fools can improve their character.  The proverb then implies that character cannot change, and the only thing that will truly end the foolishness and is strong enough to establish a point is death.  The second proverb, a similar American version, sends the same message about one not being able to change their character, except without the implication of death.  Saying that a tiger can’t change its stripes is a way of saying that character is inherent in a human being and no matter how hard one tries, it isn’t something that will ever change.

I think this proverb is very popular across different cultures because it regards innate human intention.  Character and personality are things that all human beings possess, and therefore this is a proverb that anyone can understand and connect to.  Personally, I don’t believe this proverb and I think that people can change, however I can relate to it and understand it on the level of being a human with a personality.  This proverb can also be used for specific situations, and most likely is most certainly often used as a piece of advice, but it can stand alone as a statement itself.

This is also very popular in Japanese culture because it is a traditional, age-old proverb.  Ayano said that proverbs are very often used and recited since Japan has such rich, ancient culture.  These proverbs aren’t simply advice; they are a way of continuing old tradition and for people with Japanese decent to take pride in, and recognize, their culture.  For example, though her parents are from Japan, Ayano still lives and grew up in California.  When her parents recite her Japanese traditions or tell her about her culture, it gives her a way of still recognizing and respecting the culture she descends from.

Märchen – Japanese

Nationality: Japanese
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Pasadena, CA
Performance Date: April 30, 2008
Primary Language: Japanese
Language: English

Japanese Märchen

“Momotaro
A long time ago in a small village there was this old couple that could never conceive a child. They prayed to god everyday for one. One day the old man was out plowing the fields and the old woman went to wash their clothes in the river. Suddenly this huge peach comes floating down the river, the old woman gasps and pulls it out. She calls the old man, he comes running, takes an axe, and splits it open. Inside the peach where the pit is supposed to be is this child. “momo” means peach so they named him momotaro. Momotaro gets big and strong and decides he wants to go on an adventure and kill the oni (demons) on onigashima (Demon Island). Old couple gives him three dumplings called kibidango. He befriends a dog a monkey and a pheasant that become his crew. He gets them to follow him by giving him a dumpling as a bribe. Basically they get to the island they kill all the demons, momotaro goes home, peace, happily ever after.”

This fairy tale is said to be very popular in Japanese culture.  Japan has traditionally old and rich culture and its citizens pride themselves in continuing to recognize that and share their ancient traditions.  This example of Japanese märchen is one among many fairy tales that parents share with their children.

This fairy tale is essentially about a couple that wants a child and eventually receives a child who in the end acts well by killing demons.  Japanese fairy tales tend to not simply be just for amusement, but to teach children a lesson in the story, as well.  This story is said to teach the virtue of patience.  The couple who had been trying to have a child for so long was patient and eventually received their child.  When the child grows up, he ends up being very heroic and virtuous, which is clearly very gratifying for the parents.  All most parents want is to have their child or children grow up with a good mind and a strong set of values.  This story shows that patience and hard work eventually pay off.  It is also a way for parents to teach their children to have good virtues as a whole.  By describing the boy in a positive way and elaborating on his efforts to kill the demons, the parents are implying that every child should strive to do good actions.

This fairy tale also works as a way for adults to keep their children entertained.  It certainly has educational value in terms of teaching morals, but it also is a way for adults to distract their children if they happen to have other duties to take care of.  The story is sweet with a simple concept, but is very detailed and keeps the listener engaged.  Another aspect of this particular story is that it isn’t very predictable, as many märchen are.  It is surprising and educational entertainment for kids, and satisfaction on the parent’s part for having provided that to them.

Thirdly, it reminds children of their heritage and culture.  This story discusses a Japanese culture performing traditional activities and it involves traditionally sacred concepts and values.  This reminds the child/listener that they should have pride in belonging to their culture and also pass the story down to remind others, as well.  Stories like this one are very old, some even from hundred of years ago, and provide Japanese and Japanese Americans with something that reminds them of their heritage, culture, and values.

Märchen – Japanese

Nationality: Japanese
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Pasadena, CA
Performance Date: April 30, 2008
Primary Language: Japanese
Language: English

Japanese Märchen

“The Crab and the Monkey
So one day a girl crab finds a rice ball (onigiri) and runs into a monkey who found a persimmon seed. The monkey bullies her until she agrees to trade the rice ball for the persimmon seed. The crab plants the persimmon tree and years later it matures and bears fruit. The problem was that the crab couldn’t climb the tree to eat the fruit. The monkey comes along and says “I’ll help you,” climbs up the tree and eats all the persimmons. The ones he didn’t eat, he threw at the crab until she died. She so happened to be pregnant. When she died, all her little baby crabs come out and vow to avenge her death. They get their friends – a mortar (I know weird), a bee and a couple chestnuts – to help them. They all invaded the monkey’s house and waited for him to come home. The monkey comes home and tries to warm himself over the fire and the chestnuts that were sitting in the flames jump out and burn him. He goes for the ointment jar and when he opens it, the bee flies out and stings him. He jumps in a tub of water and all the baby crabs are inside that pinch him mercilessly. As the monkey runs out the front door, the mortar jumps off the roof and crushes him to death.  The End.”

This particular märchen is very similar in concept to a lot of typical American children’s stories, except clearly features Japanese animals and rituals.  Like most Japanese märchen, this story has a moral embedded in it.  The story describes a hero (the crab), whose descendants eventually beat the villain (the monkey.)  While it is a bit of a crude story because it involves a lot of smashing and physical violence, it sends the messages that do-gooders win out in the end, just as the crab did.

This also is characteristically Japanese because of the items involved in the story.  Ayano told me that the discussion of crabs, monkeys, persimmons, and onigiri is true to Japanese tradition in culture.  In many Japanese tales, the subjects they describe are talking animals rather then human beings.  Though this may seem peculiar because involving human beings would give children something to relate to, involving animals is something that would provide kids with better entertainment.

The story is, in fact, entertaining to kids on a variety of levels.  First of all, as mentioned, the talking animals prove to be an attractive factor to children. Secondly, the use of physical violence may be attractive to little boys as they grow up, attempt to assert their masculinity and find more interest in these types of subjects.  Lastly, it has a lot of action and suspense.  Since Japanese tales tend to be very unique and unpredictable, kids are drawn into the plot and are entertained as they wait to find out what happens.

This story is also very effective for adults because it teaches children about traditional morals and encourages them to behave well.  Ayano explained Japanese culture tends to be very rigid about right action and right thought, and tales like this provide parents with a way to teach their children about right action in a way that they will be enthused by.  In disguising teaching in a story, parents can successfully raise their children well.

This tale is also representative of Japanese culture.  Japanese citizens are very proud of their culture because it has grown for ages.  Stories like these give people a way to convey their sense of pride and remind them about the culture they descend from, whether they are living in Japan or anywhere else in the world.  For parents like Ayano’s who move to a new country, they are reminded of back home and their culture as they tell and retell the märchen to their children.