BIRD PROVERBS AND ADAGES IN THE GREEK LANGUAGE AND THEIR ENGLISH TRANSLATION EQUIVALENTS

BIRD PROVERBS AND ADAGES IN THE GREEK LANGUAGE AND THEIR ENGLISH TRANSLATION EQUIVALENTS

Eirini Theodoridou

PhD student, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia,

Russia, Moscow

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the article is to explore the idiomatic expressions of bird proverbs and adages in the Greek language, to uncover the universal phenomena known as proverbs, and to ascertain why bird proverbs and adages are so widespread in Greek folklore and oral tradition. To achieve these goals, the succeeding tasks were set: to determine the cause for the appearance of such idiomatic expressions in Greek tradition; to assess their purpose; and to identity the English equivalents.

Analysing the linguistic upbringing of a nation ought not to be confined to linguist literacy; it should also involve a deeper understanding of the cultural environment, of which proverbs and adages are a pivotal part. The following idiomatic expressions are categorized into fauna groups and species for further investigation. The significance of each proverb and adage is established. Last but not least, the English language equivalent is illustrated.

Keywords: proverb; adage; zoonymic components; paremiology; Greek language.

In this study, we attempted to describe the transnational occurrence widely recognized as proverb and adage in the Greek language, and therefore to define the idiosyncrasies that a linguist would encounter when evaluating and engaging into such a task. Similarly, various methods have evolved in recent years, focusing on the phraseological study of the Greek language within the context of investigating the issues of folklore and language [11, с. 423]. This process validates the intense absorption of experts in allocating the national and cultural features of idiomatic expressions. As a direct consequence, research into the national and cultural idiosyncrasies of Greek proverbs and adages appears to be considerably more crucial, as it demonstrates the experts’ concern in systematic selection and stratification.

The methodology of the research focuses on the examination and deliberation on particular idiomatic expressions alongside comparative linguistic analysis of these units in the Greek and English languages.

The term paremiology stems from the word παροιμία (paroimía) i.e. proverb, aphorism, adage. The word itself dates back as far as Aristotle and is a compound word, consisting of two parts. The two words joined together to create the new term are the prefix παρά indicating an antithesis and the word οίμος ‘a way, a path, a route’. The term therefore is unambiguous by bluntly stating its interpretation. An unconventional idiom that does not toe the accepted line, is proverbial, and its essence is, of course, based on metaphors. Proverbs and adages are phraseological units with a concentrated meaning, often phonetically harmonious, frequently in poetic-rhythmic couplets and are a codified product of colloquial speech. For the purpose of giving a clear definition of the term, we are bound to approach it from several viewpoints.

According to Norrick’s notion a proverb undertakes a conversation, in contrast to the other genres of expression (e.g. riddles, anecdotes, fairy tales) which interrupt the flow of speech. It is impersonal, has a generic approach and its main aim is to be employed for a long time. Proverbs are characterized by syntactic, semantic and factual autonomy, they are independent phraseological units and complete sentences [4].

N. Norrick [4, с. 67-72] has compiled a collection of characteristics of the different kinds of proverb and adages with the main aim of defining the attributes of the phraseological units. According to his research the attributes of proverbs are the following:

a) probers and adages freely contribute to an ongoing conversation, which the speaker may end voluntarily. The interpretation of the idiomatic expressions does not depend on a previous reference and does not interrupt the flow of the conversation,

b) proverbs and adages partake in a conversation, as opposed to the other genres of expression such as riddles, anecdotes or fairy tales that interrupt the flow of a conversation,

c) proverbs and adages are traditionally employed and shared for extended periods throughout history, making time one of their key features,

d) proverbs and adages are predominantly parts of colloquial language, rather than formal or literary language,

e) proverbs and adages have consolidated forms, a noticeable difference in comparison to other genres of expression such as riddles, anecdotes or fairy tales that are of free structure,

f) proverbs and adages occasionally have instructional or informative qualities. This didactic character does not, however, apply to all examples,

g) proverbs and adages are impersonal,

h) some proverbs and adages may have a literal or metaphorical meaning, while others may have both of these qualities,

i) proverbs and adages may be prosodic. Prosody, however, does not apply to all cases and, therefore, it is not a property that defines the them,

j) proverbs and adages may be humorous. This is still an optional quality.

Birds (hens, roosters, crows, owls, swallows)

(I)Kαι του πουλιού το γάλα.

‘Even the milk of birds’

This phraseological unit is associated with the island of Samos, one of the largest islands in the Aegean Sea, with abundant flora and fauna. It is also the homeland of the famous Samian wine. Owing to its prosperity and natural beauty, ancient Greeks believed it to be one of μακάρων νῆσοι ‘the Fortunate Isles’ or ‘Isles of the Blessed’ which were considered ‘‘winterless earthly paradise inhabited by the heroes of Greek mythology’’ [1, с. 41-56]. Legend says that those who die without sin are sent to live in the island of Samos, a place of bliss and euphoria chosen by the Gods. In Byzantine times, the famous Samian wine was adored, according to the verse written by Theodore Prodromos or Ptochoprodromos Κρασίν γλυκύν και θεϊκόν, κρασίν το εκ Σάμου ‘Sweet and divine wine, Samian wine’. Strabo, the Greek geographer, philosopher, and historian, in his work Geographica praised the richness and variety of goods found in the island of Samos stating that φέρει καί ὀρνίθων γάλα ‘one can hope to find hen’s milk’ [5, с. 148]. This idiomatic expression connotes opposing ideas of scarcity and abundance. When someone states that they have something as rare as birds’ milk, they state that they have an abundance of whatever someone would want, even the rarest of items as the expression represents something so unique that it plainly does not exist.

The English equivalent: You name it!

(II)Η γριά η κότα έχει το ζουμί.

‘The old hen has the juice. / Τhe old hen makes good broth.’

This phraseological unit frequently alludes to sexual relations, with an older woman having more sexual experience and, respectively, being able to please a man better than a younger woman can.

The English equivalent: Mature women make better lovers.

(III)Όποιος μπλέκεται με τα πίτουρα τον τρώνε οι κότες.

‘If you get mixed up with the bran, you will get eaten by the hens.’

Bran is the hard outer layer of cereal grain and is commonly used as feed for poultry and other livestock. ‘‘Associating with those of low reputation may not only lower your own but also lead you astray by the faulty assumptions, premises and data of the unscrupulous’’ [6, с. 121-130]. There is also a similar idiomatic expression utilised in analogous circumstances. When stating that a person τρώει πίτουρα ‘eats bran’, it signifies that they have the IQ of an animal.

The English equivalent: If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

(IV)Κόρακας κοράκου μάτι δε βγάζει.

‘A crow does not pick another crow’s eye.’

In Greek mythology, ravens and crows are linked with the Olympian god of the sun and light, Apollo. Apollo dispatched a white raven to spy on his lover, Coronis. When the raven returned with news of Coronis’ unfaithfulness, the sun god, in his fury, burnt the raven and turned its feathers black. In consequence, all ravens and crows are black today. The animal is generally considered a bad omen in most cultures. In Greek vernacular expressions ravens and crows are the undertakers of the animal kingdom due to their colouring reminding black formal attire. The idiomatic expression refers to the understanding and solidarity between those that share jointed goals. It is especially utilised when malignant people avoid harming their own ‘kind’ as they usually share common interests.

The English equivalent: Hawks will not pick out Hawk’s eyes. / There is honour among thieves.

(V)Άλλα τα μάτια του λαγού κι άλλα της κουκουβάγιας.

‘The eyes of a hare are different from those of an owl.’

This idiomatic expression stems from nature observation. Owls are excellent hunters, but not nest builders. Instead of building nests, owls take advantage of the hard work done by other animals. In many cases they occupy hare nests by killing the hares. When hunters arrive following the hares’ footprints in front of the nest, they unearth a pair of enormous glistening eyes, not those of a hare, but of an owl. In this phraseological unit is stated that compering dissimilar items or people with contrasting characters, values or abilities.

The English equivalent: Apples and oranges.

(VI)Ένα χελιδόνι δεν φέρνει την άνοιξη.

‘One swallow does not bring spring.’

Aristotle declared: μία γὰρ χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ, οὐδὲ μία ἡμέρα ‘In the spring not a single swallow does it for a day.’ The original reference is attributed to one Aesop’s fables, the spendthrift and the swallow. According to the myth, a wasteful young man spent his wealth recklessly and all he had left was a coat. One day he noticed a swallow flying, so he believed that spring had come and, therefore, his coat was useless, so he sold it too. Yet the winter was not over and the man had no way to warm up. The swallow he had seen was not enough to bring in spring. The idiomatic expression is used to show that a single indication is not enough to draw a safe conclusion.

The English equivalent: One swallow does not a summer make.

(VII)'Οπου λαλούν πολλοί κοκκόροι αργεί να ξημερώσει.

‘Wherever roosters are crowing, the dawn is late.’

When many opinions are stated on a subject while people talk and shout to each other, they can neither make decisions nor take action. May we add a few intriguing synonyms: Οι πολλές γνώμες βουλιάζουν το καράβι. ‘Many opinions sink the ship.’ Οι πολλές μαμές πνίγουν το παιδί. ‘Many midwifes drown the child.’

The English equivalent: Too many cooks spoil the broth. Note that the word broth might sometimes be replaced by the word stew.

(VIII)Με έναν σμπάρο δυό τρυγόνια.

‘With one bullet (you get) two turtledoves.’

The turtledove is a member of the bird family Columbidae i.e. doves and pigeons. It is one of the most common birds of Greek fauna and the only, exclusively migratory wild pigeon in Europe. Alongside woodcock and wood pigeon, it is hunters’ beloved prey and has been pushed to the brink of extinction. The peculiarity of the turtledove is that, unlike the previously mentioned species, it is hunted intensively in Mediterranean countries, during its migratory periods, and suffers great losses. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that, while open hunting season lasts from the end of September to the end of February, poachers continue to decimate the birds’ populations during stationary period between late fall and early spring. The significance of the set expression does not differ from its English equivalent. To accomplish two goals with a single action.

The English equivalent: Kill two birds with one stone. We would like to note that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is providing an alternative, less barbaric set expression that is more friendly towards animals, feeding two birds with one scone.

(IX)Η κότα έκανε τ’ αυγό ή το αυγό την κότα;

‘Did the hen lay the egg or the egg the hen?’

It is the yet old but popular dilemma of whether the chicken or the egg came first. It is a complex question which presents us with the intractable circle of life that has no obvious beginning.

The English equivalent: Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?

We may draw the following conclusions based on the analysed material: Hens and roosters have always been an integral part of agricultural society as they still are a basic food source. This is the particular reason why they are apparent in Greek proverbs and adages. Predominantly, hens and roosters do not seem to represent specific values. They are animals with which people have been rather familiar for an extended period of time. Their habits and animal behaviour seem to represent more general concepts. To put it into perspective, each proverb and adage express different meanings, which make it difficult to identify the linguo-cultural concepts these animals represent in the Greek language. Nevertheless, these animal motifs appear to symbolise people who have a tendency to associate themselves with those of low reputation (i.e. example III), yet are willing to protect those with whom they share common interests (i.e. example IV) or are not thinking clearly and neither make decisions nor take action (i.e. example VII).

Proverbs and adages about other species of birds such as owls, swallows and turtledoves are special cases. One would expect that an owl would represent wisdom since, in Greek mythology, the goddess Athene was often depicted with an owl by her side. But, on the contrary, the owl betokens superiority against an opponent (i.e. example V). The swallow embodies the begging of change, yet it is not enough to do so (i.e. example VI). Turtledoves are often found in pairs or sparse flocks; therefore, it poses no issue that they symbolise the accomplishment of two goals with a single action (i.e. example VIII).

As a conclusion, we trace the functionality of these idiomatic expressions to Greek oral folklore. These interpretations are derived from everyday life and vision of the world through the eyes of the common person. Moreover, the Greek nation’s affinity for national and cultural traditions and customs supports this theory. Consequently, the frequent occurrences could be attributed to the observation of native fauna that has historically resided on the territory of the country. Greek phraseology and paremiology primarily express local customs and traditions, the attitude of the locals, their life values, and the nation’s overall demeanor.

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