Jump to content
Linguaholic

Language sayings


Peninha

Recommended Posts

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Study With Us on Discord for FREE!

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...