Tag Archives: proverb

Trinidadian Proverb

AGE: 19

Date of performance: 02/20/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student 

Primary Language: English

Title- Beat de Iron while it Hot

Context- C shares with me a cherished Trinidadian phrase his grandma, G-ma, from Trinidad tells him— ‘Beat de Iron while it Hot’. C says “It means to always seize the moment, don’t wait and linger. Take those risks take those challenges. My G-ma told me this when I got into USC and was nervous about leaving family, seize that moment”.

Analysis- Within the folk world, proverbs are metaphorical phrases that carry advice or a general truth through their unique, short structure. ‘Beat de Iron while it Hot’ is a familial, cultural variation of the well known ‘Strike an Iron while it’s hot’ proverb. Like many elements of folklore such as motifs, proverbs can be changed based on where they are used in around the world, but ultimately carry the same meaning. ‘Beat de Iron while it Hot’ conveys that when an opportunity arises, it should be seized and taken advantage of just as a smith would shape an iron when it is hot because that is the optimal time to do so.

Motivational Proverb

Age: 19

Date of performance: 02/20/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student 

Primary Language: English

Title- Chop Wood and Carry Water

Context- C is a student studying Behavioral Economics. He shares with me a saying his Irish grandfather, Pap Pap, tells him and his family through school or in fitness for any challenging times—“Chop Wood and Carry Water”. C says “it means to focus fully on the present moment by diligently performing even mundane tasks, and taking everything one step at a time. It’s a process, not overnight”.

Analysis- In folklore, proverbs are short and fixed metaphorical phrases that carry a general truth or give advice. C shared a proverb that circulates within his family– “Chop Wood and Carry Water”. This phrase can be considered a proverb as it is short and reverses the typical structure of a proverb of the topic followed by a comment. I believe that this proverb, as C mentioned, can be applied to trying times such as pursuing education or participating in a physically draining activity. In times where I may lose motivation to carry on with my studies or tidy up around the house, I’ll make sure to think of C & his family when I think to myself to ‘Chop Wood and Carry Water’.

Clothes Are Wings

Age: 24

Text:

“Clothes are wings.”

Context:

The informer tells me that this is a Korean proverb, and essentially means “Clothes make people better”. They’re not sure where they learned it from, but they assume it’s from their parents, or from watching k-dramas.

Analysis:

I thought it was very interesting that Korea would have a proverb about physical appearances and how it affects how people may perceive you. Korean society is very much one where one’s physical appearance absolutely determines how you are treated, where you are in the social hierarchy, and what people think your character and personality is like–this is all determined by how you look. It can become so extreme to the point where it may becomes toxic–one must always be skinny and slender, conventionally attractive, pale, chic, with impeccable fashion taste regardless of your socioeconomic status.

I feel like this emphasis on physical appearance has something to do with how homogenous Korea is, and its values on community rather than the individual. By having the mindset that “clothes make the man”, it creates a standard that everyone must strive to meet in order to not stand out and disrupt the flow of what is considered “normal”. This is a Confucian ideal(community over individual), which is a foundational aspect of Korean culture and social roles.

Tea

Nationality: British
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: United Kingdom
Language: English

“It’s not my cup of tea.”

My informant mentioned that both parents growing up would use this phrase. Their British mother would use it more than their father, who is Irish. The phrase though has always been in their lives. They would use it to explain that they didn’t like something or that it wasn’t for them.

This proverb is an English idiom that means something is not to you’re liking or preference. The English, in my opinion, use this proverb in a polite way to say that they aren’t enjoying/are not interested in something.

Dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres.

Age: 19
Language: Spanish/English

Text: Dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres. (Literal translation: Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.)

Context: The participant, upon getting into and preparing to attend college, described the saying her father taught her that he thought would best help her in her transition. In her new school, her father wanted her to make good decisions to ensure a good future. Since he believes that one’s environment is oftentimes a predictor of one’s success, he wanted to imbue a great sense of importance upon the participant that her friends were included in this environment. According to the participant, he wanted to make sure the friends she made were “like-minded and focused with good study habits”. 

Analysis: A popular Spanish proverb, this saying speaks to one’s character, and the people they choose to surround themselves. Supposedly, it is meant to convey the idea that our personalities and the way we are perceived by others is entirely predicated upon the company that we choose to keep. This sentiment is not unique to Spanish-speaking cultures, as other proverbs across different languages (such as “birds of a feather flock together”) hold similar meanings. This proverb (and subsequently, those in other languages meant to convey the same idea) is most likely intended to encourage people to be particular about those close to them, and make sure that their morals align with their friends’.