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.