Seminar Proverbs and sayings as culturally marked units

proverbs reflecting the peculiarities of lifestyle

Many proverbs are associated with people’s everyday life and work. They express people's simple routine and concerns. A great number of proverbs were created by working people such as seamen, hunters, farmers, workmen, housewives, cooks and so on, using familiar terms that were associated with their trades and occupations. For example: the proverb Living without the aim is like sailing without a compass was first used by seamen; If you run after two hares, you will catch neither – by hunters; April rains for corn, May, for grass; Make hay while the sun shines – by farmers; Too many cooks spoil the broth – by cooks.
Such expressions were all colloquial and informal and initially confined to a limited group of people engaged in the same trade or activity. But they proved to be so vital and significant that later they broke out of their bounds and gradually gained wide acceptance. As a result, their early stylistic features faded in some way and many have become part of the common language, now being used in different occasions.

• proverbs reflecting geographical location of the country

Britain geographically is an island country and people’s life is closely related to the sea, navigation and the sea products. As a result, numerous proverbs related to this sphere have appeared: Little leaks sink the ship; The sea refuses no river; A smooth sea never makes a skilful mariner; He who would catch fish must not mind getting wet; The sea has fish for every man; Living without an aim is like sailing without a compass; Hoist sail when the wind is fair; It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait; All is fish that comes to the net; The best fish swim near the bottom; Fish where the fish are.

• proverbs reflecting customs and traditions

Many proverbs reflect different national traditions and customs. For example: Good wine needs no bush. This proverb reflects an ancient English custom. In the past, English wine merchants used to hang some ivy bushes or a picture of ivy bushes on their doors as a sign of wine selling. But some merchants’ wine was so good and popular that it needn’t any labelling.
Some proverbs are related to ancient people’s deeply rooted beliefs and superstitions. For example, in the past, English people believed that spilled salt brings misfortune and bad luck. This superstition is reflected in the proverb: Help me to salt and you help me to sorrow. According to another popular superstition, it is unlucky to marry in May: marry in May, rue for aye. The proverb One for sorrow; two for mirth; three for a wedding; four for a birth reflects English superstition, according to which the number of magpies seen on a particular occasion portends either sadness, or happiness and joy.

•