A Nod Is As Good As A Wink

I read an article this morning on the Spanish newspaper. What the article was about is not important; I just want to jot down the first sentence to show you how it began: "A primeros de siglo, apenas 4 días ..." which in English says: 'In the beginning of the century, hardly four days ago ... '

I might have mentioned this particular characteristic of the Spanish language before, that they use the number 4 to denote anything small as in quantity, little as in size, short as in stature, insignificant as in importance, etc. So ...

You only live 4 days - Life is short

There had been only 4 drops of rain - a light drizzle, hardly any rain

Man of 4 words - a quiet man, man of few words

Even bearing that in mind, to describe the beginning of the century as not just 4 days but HARDLY 4 days ago still amuses me.

English has a lot of peculiarities too, as in many other languages I am sure. When I was teaching English in an adult school, even with students being older than I was, smarter too some of them being astute businessmen, yet there were to them very illogical ways of expression in English which made absolutely no sense to them, and most difficult for me, or for any teacher, to explain satisfactorily. One of the most typical example is the common greeting: 'How do you do?'

Or the echo to a statement somebody made by saying 'You don't say!', to express incredulity or amazement. My students would retort: 'But somebody DID say!'

My students were mainly Chinese. Smart as they were, they simply couldn't understand why this question should be translated as, sort of Hello, How are you? Pleased to meet you. They would turn and ask me instead 'How do you do WHAT?' Of course they were right. But how do you tell them the English expression is not wrong? Why does it have to be said that way and not straight forward saying Pleased to meet you, see you, hello, etc.?

The Chinese often start up a conversation asking if you have eaten, whatever the time of day. And, they DO expect an answer! Or they would say something pretty obvious like meeting you in a cinema with the question 'Going to see a movie, are you?' Of course you are, why else would you be standing at the queue in front of the ticket box? Pretty ridiculous, isn't it? They wouldn't be surprised either if you turn around and ask them the exact question!

The Spanish meeting you in the street would say ' Bye!' instead of 'Hello', if it's a casual meeting without either party wishing to stop for a chat. And they would look at your new baby and exclaim what a monkey you got there! Don't get upset or angry, it's a compliment meaning a beautiful baby.

I adore learning different languages, diverse culture, customs and traditions. They make life so much richer, more colourful and so very interesting.

Tags:Languages,Characteristics