Category Archives: Folk speech

“Denial is a river that runs deep”

Nationality: American
Age: 47
Occupation: Student
Residence: Glendale, AZ
Language: English

Text: “Denial is a river that runs deep”

Context: “It is a reference to the Nile River. My mom used to say it when people were denying the truth. Like when you’re blindly following somebody and not seeing through them. When someone is only following one perspective.”

Analysis: This proverb uses word play to reference the Nile river with ‘denial’. Using it as a warning, the informant gives advice on the consequences of denial, which blinds people to the faults of others and leads to hurt. The pain caused by ill-intentioned people can leave lasting consequences, like how rivers leave a mark on the land. This proverb could have deeper symbolisms to the Nile river and the underworld, representing how denial may lead to deeper ruin or death. 

Ukranian Blessing

Nationality: Ukrainian
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles
Language: Ukrainian

Text (Ukrainian): “Дай тобі Боже здоровʼя і доброго чоловіка”

Text (Romanized): Day tobi Bozhe zdorovʼya i dobroho cholovika

Translation: “May God give you good health and a good husband”

Context: The informant said that it’s when she does something good or something for her, instead of ‘thank you’ she says this proverb. The informant says, “So it’s like a little blessing. Her grandmother used to say it to her and now she says it to me”. 

Analysis: In traditional Ukrainian culture, there is a strong emphasis on the paternal line, particularly in regards to marriage. For instance, Ukrainian patronymic middle names combine the father’s first name with a gendered suffix (-vitch/-yvitch for men; -yvna/-ivna for women). Their culture values parental permission for marriage, so the informant’s mom wishing for a good husband reinforces cultural notions of traditional marriage and blesses whoever she does choose. In regards to religion, most Ukrainian families are Eastern Orthodox, so Godly blessings are valued and common. With this blessing combining good health and husbandry, it encourages the importance of finding marriage and a husband that works well with the family. 

“Many will fall at your side but you will not be touched”

Nationality: American
Age: 47
Residence: Glendale, Arizona
Language: English

Text: “Many will fall at your side but you will not be touched”

Context: “When talking to someone, it is an encouragement. It is a protection, like enemies will fall but you will not be struck down. They will say negative things about you but you will be protected. Like people who pretend to be your friends but will want negative things to happen to you.” 

Analysis: This proverb is a blessing and a reference to angels in order to wish protection on someone who is struggling with personal relationships. It is also a show of support for a person’s journey and wishes them luck, that no harm will come their way. A possible interpretation of this could be in reference to fallen angels, as other people will reap their own consequences and the individual does not have a responsibility to fall down with them. This double meaning strengthens the intended protection and transforms the saying into prayer.

“Play Stupid Games Win Stupid Prizes”

Nationality: American
Age: 23
Occupation: US Marine
Residence: Fort Mead, Maryland
Language: English

Text: “Play stupid games win stupid prizes”

Context: This folk speech is commonly used in the military as a warning to others not to make “stupid” decisions because they will result in “stupid” consequences. Quoted are examples provided by the informant for using this saying:

“If you do dumb things, that’s what you will get as a result. Like not taking out your trash or making your bed (stupid game) and they check it and they flip your mattress or throw the trash on the floor (stupid result).” Another example given was “you fall asleep with your rifle, you play stupid games.” 

Interpretation: With the high expectations that come with being military personnel, this folk saying essentially encourages each other to perform the duties that they are expected to perform by authority figures. Often in the military, when one person makes a mistake, everyone gets in trouble, or the consequence is ridiculous as shown in the informants’ examples. By warning each other of the consequences to unnecessary mistakes, they are looking out for their team by potentially saving themselves from over-the-top consequences that come with the smaller mistakes.

gotta keep your head up

AGE

22

Date_of_performance

2/24/25

Language

English

Nationality

American

Occupation

Student

Primary Language

Spanish

Residence

Los Angeles, CA

Folk Speech: Al mal tiempo, Buena Cara

Translation: Bad times, good face

Context + Text: The individual is my roommate’s girlfriend. I went through a tough time in school, and I would come home crying sometimes because of how hard school was. “One day, I had gotten into a fight with a girl in my class and she threw the kick ball at my face, it really hurt, and I was crying when I went home.” She continued on to say that after her parents had comforted her, they reminded her that ‘al mal tiempo, buena cara”, and that I should not let the rest of my day be ruined by having a pouty face. “I really enjoyed hearing my parents say this because it has helped me in my college life now. I’ve failed midterms, missed my family, and just had bad days overall, but I always try to smile no matter what.” She continued on by explaining how keeping a smile on her face would make it easier to stop the bad thoughts or remembering the bad time she might’ve had that day, and it could also help others around her remember to smile. “If me and my friends all smile, there’s no way I have a bad time.”

Analysis: The above phrase is very similar to what many of us had heard as kids, “Turn that frown upside down”, but it can be used in different contexts. Turn that frown upside down is more related to individuals who may be sad and expressing it out to those around them. If I just received some devastating news or feel like I failed a test, I might walk around my house with just a sad/mad face. The phrase, bad times good face however, relates more to the individual trying to hype themselves up. It’s hard to have a bad time when you’re smiling, so simply waking up and reminding yourself to have a “good face” is a great way to ensure you can stay happy with whatever life throws at you.