Universal Idiom?
Post 1 of 10
Interesting idioms, “figures of speech”, are found on many posts on Alibaba English Corner. Many of these idioms have no meaning when translated word for word between languages. But what about the ones that do? Can’t some idioms claim a universal meaning, yet nonetheless they are figures of speech?
As examples, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,” or, “like water off a duck’s back,” or, “he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer,” “he’s a big fish in a small pond.” These seem to have a universality, and can be translated retaining their meanings.
- What are some idioms of speech, in Chinese or other languages, that are figurative expressions," but even so, translate to English without losing their meaning?
12 Aug 2007 10:04
Post 2 of 10
Replying to [Professor Carl]:
"Sparrow although small, but organ with Full." Whether it is suitable for your subject.![[em3]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_grin.gif)
"Sparrow although small, but organ with Full." Whether it is suitable for your subject.
12 Aug 2007 18:56
Post 3 of 10
Quoting from [honeymoon]:
Replying to [Professor Carl]:
"Sparrow although small, but organ with Full." Whether it is suitable for your subject.
![[em4]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_sad.gif){kind=icon}
I don't get it. whathow 'bout
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. (do you get it?)
The early bird gets the worm. (do you get it?)
![[em1]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_smile.gif){kind=icon}
Would you say these are universal in translation?
13 Aug 2007 18:48
Post 4 of 10
Replying to [Professor Carl]:
Can't reply to the topic on place names; there is no "reply" button. Do you know what's going on?
By the way, the German word for "wife" is "weib", and that indeed sounds pretty similar to "weben" (weave). So I guess she is the one who does the weaving in the house.
Can't reply to the topic on place names; there is no "reply" button. Do you know what's going on?
By the way, the German word for "wife" is "weib", and that indeed sounds pretty similar to "weben" (weave). So I guess she is the one who does the weaving in the house.
13 Aug 2007 20:42
Post 5 of 10
Replying to [Professor Carl]:Dear Carl,I would follow your topics anywhere and backing you.I had learn a lot from you.
I know en interesting idiom:There are more fish in the sea.
One more:No winner in the divorce. How about this one?LOL!
I know en interesting idiom:There are more fish in the sea.
One more:No winner in the divorce. How about this one?LOL!
13 Aug 2007 21:58
Post 6 of 10
Dear Professor,
Below is my explanation:
Sparrow is a small bird, but it has entire organs as a big eagle. That sentence means" though one thing looks small, but it has the full functions. For example a mobile is a small thing, but its functions was full, it can listen to music, can take photos, can give the calls, can play games, can overview internet, can do a lot of things. So when we describe a small thing has more functions or a full functions we will use this sentence. Whether my description can Lift your doubts
![[em7]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_shy.gif)
.
Below is my explanation:
Sparrow is a small bird, but it has entire organs as a big eagle. That sentence means" though one thing looks small, but it has the full functions. For example a mobile is a small thing, but its functions was full, it can listen to music, can take photos, can give the calls, can play games, can overview internet, can do a lot of things. So when we describe a small thing has more functions or a full functions we will use this sentence. Whether my description can Lift your doubts
.
14 Aug 2007 01:14
Post 7 of 10
Quoting from [germex]:
Replying to [Professor Carl]:
Can't reply to the topic on place names; there is no "reply" button. Do you know what's going on?
By the way, the German word for "wife" is "weib", and that indeed sounds pretty similar to "weben" (weave). So I guess she is the one who does the weaving in the house.
I sent a note t the administrator about the "reply" problem on this topic... I'd like to hear your contribution...
15 Aug 2007 06:33
Post 8 of 10
Quoting from [cooleye]:
Replying to [Professor Carl]:Dear Carl,I would follow your topics anywhere and backing you.I had learn a lot from you.
I know en interesting idiom:There are more fish in the sea.
One more:No winner in the divorce. How about this one?LOL!
Exactly.
In English they say, "there are lots of fish in the sea"... I think a girl who loses a boyfriend and is sad is told that to give her broken heart hope... but the saying is also for the boys...
Well, about the "there is no winner in divorce," in the USA, the men think the women usually win more, and the courts are much more favorable to the divorcing women. There are exception, occasionally. Divorce makes a mess out of people's lives.![[em32]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_dog_tired.gif)
In English they say, "there are lots of fish in the sea"... I think a girl who loses a boyfriend and is sad is told that to give her broken heart hope... but the saying is also for the boys...
Well, about the "there is no winner in divorce," in the USA, the men think the women usually win more, and the courts are much more favorable to the divorcing women. There are exception, occasionally. Divorce makes a mess out of people's lives.
15 Aug 2007 06:40
Post 9 of 10
Quoting from [germex]:
Replying to [Professor Carl]:
Can't reply to the topic on place names; there is no "reply" button. Do you know what's going on?
By the way, the German word for "wife" is "weib", and that indeed sounds pretty similar to "weben" (weave). So I guess she is the one who does the weaving in the house.
(The reply button should be fixed)
Yes.. in English the names Weber (from German), Webber (English adapted from German) and Weaver, Webster, Web, Webb... are cognates (I.e., branch from a common source from days of yore). The "-er" at the ends of many names is technicallycalled an "agentive" -- meaning, the one who does something -- like Baker, Miller, Brewer, Lawyer, etc.
Yes.. in English the names Weber (from German), Webber (English adapted from German) and Weaver, Webster, Web, Webb... are cognates (I.e., branch from a common source from days of yore). The "-er" at the ends of many names is technicallycalled an "agentive" -- meaning, the one who does something -- like Baker, Miller, Brewer, Lawyer, etc.
16 Aug 2007 05:22
Post 10 of 10
Quoting from [honeymoon]:
Dear Professor,
Below is my explanation:
Sparrow is a small bird, but it has entire organs as a big eagle. That sentence means" though one thing looks small, but it has the full factions. For example a mobile is a small thing, but its factions was full, it can listen to music, can take photos, can give the calls, can play games, can overview internet, can do a lot of things. So when we describe a small thing has more factions or a full factions we will use this sentence. Whether my description can Lift your doubts
Do you mean "functions" instead of "factions" -- It sounds like you are saying something small can still be powerful. In English there used to be a cartoon character named "Mighty Mouse". When there were other little creatures that had to be rescued, he would fly to them wearing an outfit like Superman, and sing, "Here I come to save the day, Mighty Mouse is on the way."
19 Aug 2007 06:46
Page 1 of 1