好狗不挡路/Good mutts don’t get in the way – Proverb

Nationality: Chinese
Age: 19
Occupation: Undergraduate Student at the University of Southern California
Residence: University of Southern California Parkside Dormitory
Language: Chinese

Text:

好狗不挡路 (hǎo gǒu bù dǎng lù)

Translation:

Good mutts don’t get in the way

Context:

“This saying is extremely prevalent in Chinese media such as novels or films, and it basically means to mind your own business. I don’t hear it said often as it’s considered a curse, and it’s pretty rude. It’s been around for so long that one of the most martial hero novel classics play off of this proverb.”

Analysis:

This proverb implies that people who are well-mannered should know their place and not cause any trouble. However, with the context of this being considered a curse, the phrase “good mutt” implies the receiver is nothing but an obedient pawn who shouldn’t “get in the way,” implying there is an “…or else.” It is especially prevalent in Chinese culture as it reflects a Confucian influence on social order and the emphasis on respecting those who are superior, with hierarchy typically based on age and duty.

Lushang-lushang

Text: “I didn’t wear any makeup when I went out today… I was walking around all lushang-lushang.”

Context: As a first-generation Filipino-American who doesn’t speak their native dialect (Ilocano), my mom has picked up a few words from her familydespite the language barrier. As my mom has often told me, there are just some words that don’t really have a meaning in the English language. This word, Lushang, is a word mostly used by the women of my family. My mother believes that it directly translates to something like “frumpy.” It is often used when to describe a woman goes out without dressing up or putting on any makeup. When I was growing up, I always thought it had a meaning somewhat like “ghetto” until I talked to my mom about it for this project. She remembers when she was a child and first remembered the context in which she first heard her mother (my grandmother) use that word. My grandmother had found out that her cousin that she had not seen in a while moved to the area close to her. After she found out, she would refuse to go out of the house without putting on some makeup or a nice outfit. She wanted to look her best just in case she ever ran into her cousin and would be embarrassed if she saw them in a state where she didn’t care about her appearance. Now, this word is often uttered before the women in my family go out of the house in a lazy outfit or when they want to take photos and touch up their makeup.

Analysis: The women of my family often pride themselves on their looks and appearance. So much so that this word for it has transcended through two generations of Filipinos that do not speak the language at all. I think it has definitely promoted a certain mindset for us women. I would say that it can appear to be a bit shallow to be so focused on the way we look to others, but I really like how it reflects a deeper value to my family: they think that is of utmost importance to always look our best, not only to be perceived by the public, but also for ourselves. If we feel our best, we act our best. We always want to be the best versions of ourselves and put that version out into the world.

Teaching the Fishermen How to Fish

Text: “I’m teaching the fishermen how to fish right now.”

Context: Whenever my boyfriend teaches me how to do any kind of skill that involves housework or life skills in general, he always says this phrase. He has said this while teaching me to work his laundry machine, how to fold certain clothes in a more efficient way, and other ways of organizing other house items.

Analysis: By saying this, he references this popular phrase: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” I would say that this proverb is used in situations similar to the original saying and meaning. My boyfriend wants to teach me a skill that I can keep doing for myself instead of just doing it for me once and having to rely on him. I believe the first time he said this to me, he asked me if I knew what the phrase was. We both remembered hearing it but I couldn’t say it word for word, so he just made up his own shortened version of the proverb: I’m teaching the fisherman how to fish. I think it’s interesting that neither of us knew the proverb, and when asking my boyfriend about it, he still doesn’t know what it was until I looked it up for this project and told him. It makes me think about how popular sayings can be misinterpreted or shortened through oral telling until the meaning of the original proverb is lost. In this case, I don’t think the original meaning was entirely lost. However, I can see how easy it is for sayings to be twisted into something else entirely.

“Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket”

Language – English
Nationality – American
Occupation – Student
Primary Language – English
Residence – Bay Area, California

Text: The phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” means you shouldn’t rely on just one option or opportunity because it can limit you. It’s a reminder to keep your focus on other things in life and not put all your energy into a single choice.

Context: “I learned this saying as a way to keep myself from becoming too focused on one thing. “My family taught me this piece of advice too that helps me to always remember to stay open to other possibilities, especially when there are multiple options to consider.” “In a way this has become a must say phrase to myself when considering multiple things that can overwhelm me.”

Analysis: This phrase is about not limiting yourself by focusing only on one thing. It’s a reminder to stay open-minded and think about all the opportunities to choose from, rather than focusing too much into just one. It’s a simple way to approach life and decisions, helping to reduce the risk of putting too much into something that might not work out, and it’s nice because this is also a sentiment from her family that was almost passed down.

Parking Karma

Age – 18
Language – English
Nationality – American
Occupation – Student
Primary Language – English
Residence – Bay Area, California

Text: When the informant is looking for a parking spot in a crowded area, she says “parking karma” repeatedly. She learned this from their mom when they were younger and would ride in the car with her. Their mom would say it whenever they were trying to find parking, believing it would help bring good luck.

Context: “I always do this whenever I have to find parking so I can manifest a good spot.” “It’s a superstition that my mom taught me and it works most of the time.”

Analysis: The “parking karma” phrase is a small ritual that helps the informant stay positive in a stressful situation. Saying it gives her hope when finding parking in order to also be less frustrated. The fact that it was passed down from her mom makes it more than just a habit and connected to her family. It can also be used in stressful times when parking lots are more on the busier side and saying this brings hope and positivity to the situation.