Saturday, December 9, 2023

Idioms or Proverbs : Same or Different

 Chinese  Proverbs about sharing joys and sorrows in life : 

关于同甘共苦的中国谚语: Guānyú tónggāngòngkǔ de zhōngguó yànyǔ:


1. 同甘共苦 (Tóng gān gòng kǔ) - Share joy and endure hardship together.


2. 患难见真情 ( Huànnàn jiàn zhēnqíng) - True feelings are revealed in adversity.


3. 休戚与共 ( Xiūqī yǔ gòng) - Share joys and sorrows.


4. 风雨同舟 ( Fēngyǔ tóng zhōu) - Face difficulties together, like passengers in the same boat.


5. 齐心协力 ( Qíxīn xiélì ) - Unite hearts and work together.


6. 海阔天空 ( Hǎikuò tiānkōng) - Broad as the sea and sky, symbolizing boundless unity.


7. 患难之交 ( Huànnàn zhī jiāo ) - A friendship formed in adversity.


8. 同舟共济 ( Tóng zhōu gòng jì ) - Share the same boat and help each other in times of need.


9. 众志成城 ( Zhòng zhì chéng chéng) - Unity is strength.


10. 荣辱与共 ( Róng rǔ yǔ gòng) - Share honor and disgrace together.


A proverb is a short, traditional saying that expresses a piece of wisdom or a general truth about human experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical, providing practical advice or conveying a moral lesson. They are passed down through generations within cultures and are used to convey insights gained from common experiences. Proverbs are typically concise and memorable, making them effective tools for communicating cultural values, norms, and practical guidance.

谚语是一种简短的传统说法,表达了一段智慧或关于人类经验的普遍真理。 Yànyǔ shì yī zhǒng jiǎnduǎn de chuántǒng shuōfǎ, biǎodále yīduàn zhìhuì huò guānyú rénlèi jīngyàn de pǔbiàn zhēnlǐ. ● A proverb is a short, traditional saying that expresses a piece of wisdom or a general truth about human experience.

谚语通常是隐喻性的,提供实用的建议或传达道德教训。 Yànyǔ tōngcháng shì yǐnyù xìng de, tígōng shíyòng de jiànyì huò chuándá dàodé jiàoxùn. ● Proverbs are often metaphorical, providing practical advice or conveying a moral lesson.

它们在文化中代代相传,用于传达从共同经验中获得的见解。 Tāmen zài wénhuà zhōng dài dài xiāngchuán, yòng yú chuándá cóng gòngtóng jīngyàn zhōng huòdé de jiànjiě.●They are passed down through generations within cultures and are used to convey insights gained from common experiences. 

谚语通常简洁易记,使其成为传达文化价值观、规范和实践指导的有效工具。Yànyǔ tōngcháng jiǎnjié yì jì, shǐ qí chéngwéi chuándá wèn huà jiàzhíguān, guīfàn hé shíjiàn zhǐdǎo de yǒuxiào gōngjù. ●Proverbs are typically concise and memorable, making them effective tools for communicating cultural values, norms, and practical guidance.


Metaphorical language involves the use of metaphors, which are figures of speech where one thing is described in terms of another to suggest a resemblance or analogy. In the context of proverbs, many of them use metaphorical language to convey their meaning or wisdom. For example, the proverb "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" is metaphorical in urging caution and not making assumptions about future outcomes, using the metaphor of counting unhatched eggs to represent premature optimism. Metaphors in proverbs often draw on familiar and relatable images to convey deeper meanings or life lessons.

隐喻语言涉及隐喻的使用,隐喻是一种修辞手法,其中用一件事来描述另一件事以暗示相似或类比。Yǐnyù yǔyán shèjí yǐnyù de shǐyòng, yǐnyù shì yī zhǒng xiūcí shǒufǎ, qízhōng yòng yī jiànshì lái miáoshù lìng yī jiàn shì yǐ àn shì xiāngsì huò lèibǐ.

 在谚语中,许多谚语使用隐喻语言来传达其含义或智慧。Zài yànyǔ zhòng, xǔduō yànyǔ shǐyòng yǐnyù yǔyán lái chuándá qí hányì huò zhìhuì.

 例如,谚语“别在鸡孵化之前数它们”就是隐喻,敦促人们谨慎行事,不要对未来的结果做出假设,用数未孵化的鸡蛋来比喻过早的乐观情绪。Lìrú, yànyǔ “bié zài jī fūhuà zhīqián shù tāmen” jiùshì yǐnyù, dūncù rénmen jǐnshèn xíngshì, bùyào duì wèilái de jiéguǒ zuò chū jiǎshè, yòng shù wèi fūhuà de jīdàn lái bǐyùguò zǎo de lèguān qíngxù. 

谚语中的隐喻通常利用熟悉且相关的图像来传达更深层次的含义或人生教训。Yànyǔ zhòng de yǐnyù tōngcháng lìyòng shúxī qiě xiāngguān de túxiàng lái chuándá gēngshēn céngcì de hányì huò rénshēng jiàoxùn.


Determining the oldest language in the world is challenging due to the limited historical records. However, some ancient languages have rich histories. Here are two proverbs from each of two ancient languages:


**Sanskrit (an ancient Indic language):**

1. विद्याददाति विनयं (Vidyādāti Vinayaṃ) - Knowledge bestows humility.

2. यथा राजा तथा प्रजा (Yathā Rājā Tathā Prajā) - As the king, so are the subjects.


**Akkadian (an ancient Semitic language):**

1. 𒈾𒆠𒅗𒁀𒂾 𒉿𒀀𒂗𒇷𒇷 (Ana ekalli ina mūši ikkabû) - The palace will be built in its appointed place.

2. 𒌑𒆠𒅗𒁀𒈾𒆠𒂗𒈾 𒄑𒂍𒊏𒀀 (Igi dibitum lišanši lemnu) - A spark can start a fire that burns the whole field.


While Sanskrit is associated with ancient Indian scriptures, Akkadian was used in ancient Mesopotamia. Both languages have left significant cultural and linguistic legacies.


由于历史记录有限,确定世界上最古老的语言具有挑战性。 然而,一些古老的语言有着丰富的历史。 以下是来自两种古代语言的两条谚语:


 **梵文(一种古老的印度语言):**

 1. विद्याददाति विनयं (Vidyādāti Vinayaṃ) - 知识赋予谦逊。

 2. यथाराजा तथा प्रजा (Yathā Rājā Tathā Prajā) - 作为国王,臣民也是如此。


 **阿卡德语(一种古老的闪族语言):**

 1. 𒈾𒆠𒅗𒁀𒂾 𒉿𒀀𒂗𒇷𒇷 (Ana ekalli ina mūši ikkabû) - 宫殿将在指定地点建造。

 2. 𒌑𒆠𒅗𒁀𒈾𒆠𒂗𒈾 𒄑𒂍𒊏𒀀 (Igi dibitum lišanši lemnu) - 星星之火可以点燃整个田野。


 梵语与古印度经文有关,而阿卡德语则用于古美索不达米亚。 这两种语言都留下了重要的文化和语言遗产。

Idioms and proverbs are both forms of figurative language, but they have distinct characteristics:


Idioms:

1. Definition: Idioms are expressions where the literal meaning of individual words does not convey the intended meaning. They often have a cultural or contextual significance.

2. Structure: Idioms are typically short phrases or sentences.

3. Usage: They are used to convey a particular meaning that may not be evident from the literal interpretation. Idioms often reflect the cultural nuances of a language.

4. Example: "Kick the bucket" means to die. The literal interpretation would not convey this meaning.


Proverbs:

1. Definition: Proverbs are traditional sayings that offer advice or express a general truth based on common sense or practical experience.

2. Structure: Proverbs are complete sentences or phrases with a clear and direct message.

3. Usage: They are used to convey wisdom, morals, or life lessons. Proverbs are often passed down through generations and are deeply rooted in cultural values.

4. Example: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" advises against premature optimism.


In summary, while both idioms and proverbs involve figurative language, idioms focus on expressions where the literal meaning is different from the intended meaning, whereas proverbs are traditional sayings that impart wisdom or general truths.


成语和谚语都是比喻语言的形式,但它们具有鲜明的特点:


 成语:

 1. 定义: 习语是单个单词的字面意思不能传达其预期含义的表达方式。 它们通常具有文化或背景意义。

 2. 结构: 习语通常是短语或句子。

 3. 用法: 它们用于传达从字面解释中可能不明显的特定含义。 习语通常反映语言的文化细微差别。

 4. 示例: “Kick the bucket”的意思是死亡。 字面解释不会表达这个意思。


 谚语:

 1. 定义: 谚语是基于常识或实践经验提供建议或表达一般真理的传统谚语。

 2. 结构: 谚语是完整的句子或短语,具有清晰、直接的信息。

 3. 用途: 它们用于传达智慧、道德或人生教训。 谚语往往代代相传,并深深植根于文化价值观中。

 4. 示例: “不要在鸡孵化之前数它们”建议不要过早乐观。


 综上所述,成语和谚语都涉及比喻语言,但成语侧重于字面意思与原意不同的表达方式,而谚语则是传授智慧或普遍真理的传统俗语。

No comments: