Tag Archives: proverb

“If dust piles up it becomes a mountain”

AGE: 49

Date_of_performance: February 21, 2025

Language: Japanese

Nationality: Japanese

Occupation: Banker

Primary Language: Japanese

Residence: New York

Context: “If dust piles up it becomes a mountain”. E heard this phrase growing up in Japan from her parents and she incorporates it into her day-to-day life today. She interprets it as small things add up to a great result. She gave me the example of happiness, and how being thankful for small things everyday leads to overall happiness in one’s life

Text: 

Interviewer is I. Subject is Eri, E.

I: So what kind of Japanese proverbs do you know of or like?

E: There’s a lot of them I like but one of my favorites is the phrase, “if dust piles up it becomes a mountain”.

I: What does that mean?

E: It means that doing small things will add up to a great result. If you study a language for an hour a day, eventually you will be able to understand a lot of it.

I: I see, so something as small as dust can become a mountain if there is a lot of it. How do you relate this proverb in your day-to-day life?

E: I use it for happiness. I think about small things I’m thankful for everyday. And that makes me very happy overall, it adds to my happiness.

Analysis:

Thinking deeper about this, I think this proverb fits in with Japanese culture. Japanese people have always been hard-working, although there is a sense that they work themselves a little too much. The idea of doing something little by little to make a profound change could be incorporated into how Japanese people view work. Personally, I want to apply this to life with going to the gym. Although results are not immediate, being disciplined and going to the gym often can result in great benefits.

“Meet Me at the Airport, We’re Going to Tahiti”

Nationality: American
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired

Informant Information:

Age: 63

Date of Performance: 2/18/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Meet me at the airport, we’re going to Tahiti.”

Context:

The informant, a native of Berkeley, California, has faced significant family hardships, including her mother’s sudden health crisis, her son’s chronic illness, and her brother’s child being diagnosed with autism. During particularly stressful moments, she and her siblings would jokingly text each other, saying, “Meet you at the airport, let’s go to Tahiti” or “I’m going to Tahiti right now, come join me.” This became their way of signaling that they had reached an emotional breaking point and needed a mental escape.

Analysis:

The metaphorical idea of escaping to Tahiti, an idyllic vacation destination, served as a form of humorous escapism for the informant and her family. By inviting each other to “meet at the airport” and “go to Tahiti,” they created a shared symbolic refuge—a way to momentarily detach from their struggles without actually leaving.

Tahiti, often associated with paradise and relaxation, represented the fantasy of escaping life’s burdens and finding peace. By extending this imaginary invitation, the informant and her siblings not only acknowledged their shared hardships but also reinforced their emotional support for one another. This expression worked simultaneously as a joke and coping mechanism that allowed them to communicate distress, offer solidarity, and maintain their bond through humor, despite adversity.

Folk Joke: “Make Sure You Get to the Back 40”

Age: 73
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 73

Date of Performance: 2/26/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Make sure you get to the back 40.”

Definition:

Back 40 – A term referring to the undeveloped or uncultivated portion of a farm, often a hypothetical 40 acres, symbolizing overlooked or less glamorous responsibilities.

Context:

The informant’s parents, who grew up on large farms in the rural South during the Great Depression, frequently used this phrase even after moving to a more urban, middle-class area of Mississippi. The informant’s mother, for example, would say this to the father while they had a family lunch in their relatively small, half-acre yard. Despite no longer living on a large farm, the parents continued to use this folksy expression as a nod to their agricultural roots.

Analysis:

The humor stems from the irony that the informant’s family no longer had a literal “back 40” to tend, having moved to a smaller suburban lot. Yet, the phrase remained a lighthearted reminder not to overlook their less obvious or neglected responsibilities. In essence, “make sure you get to the back 40” playfully urges attention to what might otherwise be forgotten.

By using this phrase regularly, the informant’s parents preserved a cultural tradition, connecting their suburban life to their farming roots. The joke carried both nostalgia and irony, reinforcing their Southern agricultural heritage while simultaneously adapting to a new, more urban environment.

“If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise”

Age: 73
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 73

Date of Performance: 2/26/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“If the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.”

Context:

The informant’s parents, who grew up in Tennessee, often used this Southern phrase when making a promise or commitment. It served as a way to qualify their pledge, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances could prevent them from following through.

The informant’s background adds depth to this expression. Their mother lived in the Appalachian hills of East Tennessee, near the Hiwassee River. Before dams were built, the river frequently flooded, posing a real danger. The informant’s late uncle tragically drowned in the Hiwassee River, making the phrase “if the creek don’t rise” more than just a figure of speech—it was a genuine concern tied to the unpredictable forces of nature that could disrupt daily life.

Analysis:

This Southern saying blends faith and realism, reflecting the values of the region. “The good Lord’s willing” conveys deep religious faith and trust in divine providence, while “if the creek don’t rise” acknowledges the potential for unexpected natural disruptions. Together, the phrase expresses both humility and an awareness of life’s uncertainties—recognizing that even with the best intentions to uphold a promise, external forces may intervene. By using this expression, the informant’s parents could make a commitment while also leaving room for circumstances beyond their control.

“Dripping water can penetrate the stone”

Age: 20


Date of performance: 2/22/25


Language: Chinese


Nationality: Chinese


Occupation: Student


Primary Language: Chinese & English


Residence: United States

Background:

“水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān)” is a Chinese proverb commonly used by teachers, parents, and adults in general to encourage young kids.

Context:

For context, the interviewee was told this proverb as a kid growing up whenever they would attend their art class. Upon getting frustrated with their work, their teacher would recite the phrase, “水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān)” which translates to “Dripping water can penetrate the stone.”

Interviewee Interpretation:

As understood by the interviewee, this phrase means to have patience and persistence, or that if you have enough patience, you can achieve anything.

Analysis:

Per my interviewee’s understanding, I interpret this metaphor similarly to having an ease of mind and clear consciousness; just like water. Not only then through patience and perseverance can you achieve that which is beyond expectation; dripping water deteriorating stone gradually over time. I found it interesting that dripping is involved with the water asset. Based on my interpretation, it serves to emphasize and directly change the direction of the entire saying. Through its addition, it presents the passage with the additional concept of time which helps guide listeners to gain the insight that patience holds immense power.