I love people that can sweep you with complicated and elevated words but I also absolutely enjoy the everyday colloquial talk. Part of that colorful language that leads you into the idiosyncrasy of the people are those 'common sayings'. I am not so sure they can be translated and explained since it appears to me that they are felt more than said, but anyway here is one:
SI EL RIO SUENA ES PORQUE PIEDRAS TRAE -IF THE RIVERS MAKES NOISE IS BECAUSE ITS CARRYING ROCKS-
The expression means that if there is a rumor going about, it probably holds some truth.
VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW IS THAT GUATEMALA, AS THEY SAY, IS THE LAND OF THE BOLOS, BALAS Y BOLAS (bolos-drunk people, balas-bullets, bolas-vicious rumors), so I wouldn't take the saying at face value.
The picture is at San Buenaventura on Lake Atitlan. I had the picture and every time I saw it it reminded me of this saying.
5 comments:
Me hiciste recordar una penosa anécdota que tuve que vivir hace algunos años. Un rumor sobre mí circuló entre mis alumnos. Es decir, el río sonó, pero no había piedras... quizás solo un malentendido, nunca lo sabré y siempre lo recuerdo con tristeza. Ya lo contaré en mi blog.
Apapachos
Please, please continue yor series. there's so much I love to remember when I read your blog. Many times I try to explain some sayings to my boys but sometiems I am boring (I think), well...they're teenagers..Anyways keep it coming, I love your style.
Thanks Vivi!
Nancy tienes razon. Encontre la foto y era tan perfecta para el dicho que lo tuve que poner, pero le hice un cambio al post...
Gorgeous picture
I've come across your blog for the first time - I will come back and browse more! We are not Guatemalan, but have lived in Xela 2 years already and plan to stay another 4 or 5. Our three young children (born in Texas) now chant the sing song rhyming games the local kids play. I'm thrilled for them to be learning two languages at a time in such a natural everyday way!
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