One of the main components of American culture are proverbs. Indeed, these sayings pass from mouth to mouth from fathers to children. However, it cannot be argued that American proverbs originated specifically in this country. Most of these expressions have been carried over by people from all over the world. The people of America call themselves "melting pot of many cultures", which in English means "hodgepodge" of many cultures.
The cultural value of proverbs
Such expressions were supposed to increase the education of the population and convey to young people the worldly wisdom of the old. Their main goal was to inculcate different behaviors.
Some American proverbs and sayings were based on the Bible, although they have survived in a modified form to this day. And this happened because many people were illiterate and simply could not write them down. Everyone perceived the ideas that the pastor conveyed to the audience in a sermon in a different way, and accordingly conveyed them to others in a different way.
Proverbs and sayings are called both the wisdom of the whole world and the wit of a particular person. These short sayings can caresshearing with praise and approval, or they can sharply “prick” with a caustic mockery.
The problem of proverbs, sayings and aphorisms
Despite the fact that such sayings are perceived by people as the truth, they often contradict each other. For example, one of the American proverbs says: "He who is shy is lost." We have a saying "Procrastination is like death." Another proverb firmly states: "Watch where you jump before you jump." We used to say that you need to measure seven times, and cut only once. The first proverb clearly encourages us not to stop, but to immediately move forward towards the goal. The second, on the contrary, advises you to think a thousand times before doing something.
Of course, the meaning of each such saying also depends on the context. The proverb will work differently in different situations. The first proverb is more appropriate to use when you need to quickly make a decision on which your future life will depend. And the second - when handing over an important document, in needlework, etc.
Let's consider some American proverbs translated into Russian. They will be grouped under different topics.
Money
You must have heard the expression "America is the land of opportunity". People come there not only from the poor, but also from the developed countries of Europe. Immigrants go for the "American dream". This word means a better life and a high level of freedom.
That is why money is one of the leading topics in Americanproverbs. Check out some of them:
-
Get the money honestly if you can.
Literally translated: "If you can, make money honestly." There is a Russian proverb with the same meaning: “Better poverty and honesty than profit and shame.”
American proverbs about work - "After a man becomes rich, his next goal is to get richer." There is no equivalent of the proverb in Russian.
- "If a man has a hundred dollars and makes a million out of it, that's incredible; but if he has a hundred million and makes a million, that's inevitable."
-
In America, they say this about stupid people and their attitude to their money: "A fool quickly parted with money." There is a similar saying in Holland: “A fool and money are incompatible things.”
Russian proverb: “A fool has a hole in his hand.”
Labor
Love for work was instilled in the people of America from childhood. That is how this stubborn and disciplined people built this country.
We invite you to get acquainted with a number of American proverbs about work:
- "Hard work has never hurt anyone." Russian proverbs: "Work feeds, but laziness spoils." “Patience and work will grind everything.”
- "No profit without pain." And we are told that it is not easy to catch a fish from a pond.
- "A worker is judged by his work." Russian proverbs: "By work and the master to know." "What is the worker, such is the pay."
- "If there's a job worthto perform, then it must be performed well. "In our country, they say that" the game is worth the candle "or" game - candy ".
There are those very controversial sayings about work:
"Either horses or fools will plow." We have a phrase in our homeland: “Work loves fools.”
It is likely that sayings contradict each other, because they were used either at different times or in different strata of society.
Motherland
Americans love their country very much and are proud of it. Of course, patriotism is reflected in culture, including in small genres of folklore: proverbs and sayings.
It is worth noting that the British and Americans do not praise their homeland as much as the Russians. The country in which they were born, they identify with the house, where it is always good and cozy. We invite you to get acquainted with English and American proverbs about the homeland:
-
"East or West, but home is better" is a famous saying in English.
We say that visiting is good, but home is always better.
american proverbs about home -
"There is no better place than home" - another proverb about the homeland.
Russians say that the foreign side is a dense forest, or that their own land is sweet in a handful.
-
"Your home is where your heart is." This is another very beautiful American proverb that has a "sister" in Russian: "Native land is paradise for the heart."
Family
Praise the Americans and the relationship between people. Family is a great value that people strive to protect with all their might. Make sure by looking at the following sayings:
- "You are free to choose who you are friends with, but the family is one." The same meaning is given to the saying "Parents are not chosen", which we are used to hearing.
- "First a daughter, then a son - that's a good family."
- "Happiness comes naturally to a friendly family." Russians say: "Happiness flows over the edge in a close-knit family."
- "Every family has mercy." And we say that it is at home that mercy begins.
- "A beautiful wife will have a good husband." In Russian they say that a good wife and an honest husband.
