I am going to try and translate some of the Goan proverbs listed below. I am only going to try the ones I really feel confident about but even if I do a bad job I know Teotonio will fix them for me! I am adding the literal translation for those not lucky enough to have been raised in Goa! Everyone is welcome to add to my list. My translation will be under HRG i.e. Helga do Rosario Gomes so others can add to it or improve upon it with their initials. I think Teotonio should have the final word! The first is the literal translation while the second is the message it conveys. Sorry but some sound really stilted!
1) - chodti val katorchi nhoim HRG: Dont cut the climbing vine! HRG: Dont be an impediment to the success of others/dont destroy what others have built 2) - Chintlolem zalem thor melelim ghara eitolim HRG:If my wishes would come true then the dead would return HRG: If wishes were horses then beggars would ride. 3) Appurbai Ghara koddem, Nhuim Voddea koddem". HRG:? 4) Pakte Eunchea adim udonk tozvit korchi nhoi. HRG: Dont try to fly before you get wings HRG: Self explanatory 5) Fest korta gaum ani Presdentichem naum. HRG: The village feast was celebrated by the village (everyone bore the financial burden ) but the 'president' took all the credit HRG: The people backstage toil and grind but but the one on stage steals the limelight. 6) Kens (hair) kadd ani ambear (mangotree) mar; Poddlear ambo podd'llo; Gelear, kens ghelo. HRG:? 7) kavleak Morachim Pakam Lailear Kavlo More zata? HRG: If you stick peacock feathers to a crow does it become a peacock? HRG: self explanatory 8) Padrinche sermao vhoneik nhuim' HRG:? 9) kelolem urta ani Randlolem Sorta" HRG:? 10) - Soglleanche randni kodde tench bannxirem ! HRG: At every stove we find the same rag HRG: HELP!!!!!!! I forgot this one 11) Chodd firangi bhas, haddank urta mas" HRG: Too many Portuguese speeches leave meat on bones. HRG from Teotonio's email: Initially it may have meant the need to use hands, rather than knife and fork to eat chicken, but it tries to convey to someone the need to get down to the point and leave the long-winded discourses that hardly permitted to concentrate on the food in the plate. The Portuguese have the habit of making long-winding speeches or using many words to say little or nothing. 12) Kombean sad gatlo nam zalear suria udeupacho rauchonam. HRG: Just because the rooster didnt crow doesnt mean that the sun wont rise HRG: not sure 13) Ponnoss lipoin dourit punn tacho vas lipounk zauchonam. HRG: You can hide the jack fruit but not its smell HRG: self explanatory 14) Kombeak pattleam pondank damplo mhunn to sad gali nastanam rauchonam. HRG: Just by hiding the rooster under a basket doesnt mean he isn't going to corw. HRG: ? 15) Tel sodanch voir rauta. Udkan kednach buddonam. HRG: Oil stays on the top - doesnt mix with water HRG:Truth always comes out 16) Sot tem sot voir sorleam xivaim rauchem nam. HRG: The truth is the truth - it can never be hidden HRG: self explanatory 17) mazor dud pietanam aplem dollem dampun dud pieta anik somzotam kim apleak konnuch pollenat mhunn. HRG: the cat drinks milk with its eyes shut and thinks that no one can see it HRG: Same as the ostrich? 18) Sonso aplem donuim kan dolleancher hadta anik somzota kim sounsar damplo mhunn. HRG:The rabbit covers his eyes with his two ears and thinks that no one can see it. HRG: self explanatory and same as (18) 19) Mog aslear unn unn (hot hot) unde (bread) ghantar pavtai. HRG: If there is love then even hot bread loaves can get to the ghats HRG:? 20) Ek jiv sada shiv HRG:? 21) chodd mest (cooks) burra fest. HRG: Too many cooks make a mess of the feast HRG:too many cooks spoil the broth 22) kam zalem voiz (doctor) melo HRG: The job is done then the doctor is dead HRG: Implies opportunists who use you and then disappear 23) poilem pottoba, magir vithobaa HRG:? 24) modeache (dead body) kens kaplear, vozonn unnem zaina. HRG: Just by shaving off the corpse is not going to make it any lighter HRG:? 25) Tigur (fish) dhortole zaler, kalsaum (pant) bizonk zai. HRG: If you want to catch fish then you had better wet your trousers HRG: Kind of dont preach from your armchair, go and do something. Get your hands dirty 26) Handir assa cheddo, sodta soglo vaddo HRG: the kid is at your waist but you are searching for him all over the village HRG: Right under your nose 27) Aplem ghor, sothean (rights) mor. HRG:? Thanks to Eddie Verdes, Saudi Arabia ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
