Peninha Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 In Portugal we have a saying "Burro velho não aprende linguas" literally meaning, old donkey doesn't learn languages lol. I don't think this is true, but it's popular speech... Do you have language sayings in your country, do you think they are true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebelgianwriter Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Language related sayings?I would have to give this some thought.I know of one, it is in French, but primarily used in Belgium I suppose."Pour les flamands, la même chose." (For the Flemish, the same applies)It is used by the Flemish and the Walloons alike to point out that for instance a manual, guideline, rule or something similar is only explained in French and not in Dutch.Mostly, it is said jokingly.However, it has been a long time since I have heard anyone say that. Due to language rules, national documents are mostly in 4 languages: Dutch, French, German and additionally English.On a regional level, language laws are now prevalent. Because of this, e.g. civil servants in Flanders are not supposed to speak French while dealing with clients; not even when the client does not speak Dutch at all. Because of this, I would say that the saying no longer applies in Belgium and that nowadays, the situation is mostly the other way round.Another one is:"De vogel zingt zoals hij gebekt is"The bird sings the way that it is allowed by the shape of its beak"It means: a man's speech is shaped by his convictions.Sometimes I wonder whether that would not be the other way round: that by speaking one language, that could well influence the way you think of another language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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