Translation of an English saying?

[John Langran]

Yes I think that the use of "fence" in the original suggested a neighbour 
and therefore envy. The version that I grew up with is "The grass is greener 
over the other side of the hill"
John Langran
www.ruslan.co.uk


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alina Israeli" <aisrael at AMERICAN.EDU>
To: <SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 5:31 PM
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Translation of an English saying?


> This is a misunderstanding of the original assignment. While #2 on the 
> list below means 'If it ain't broke don't fix it', the rest condemn envy. 
> The original phrase about the green grass on the other hand means the 
> propensity of humans to believe that it's better somewhere else rather 
> than where the protagonist (speaker or listener) is.
>
> Here's a phrase I just found which is very close to the green grass: 
> Курица соседа выглядит гусыней. 
> (http://zhurnal.lib.ru/p/pawel_g/poslowicyipogoworkidorewoljucionnogoisowetskogowremen.shtml)
>
> AI
>
> Alfia Rakova wrote:
>> It can be something like this ("trava zelenee" is not a Russian proverb):
>>
>> -Zavistlivoe oko vidit dalioko,
>> -Ot dobra dobra ne ischut,
>> -Chuzhoe dobro v glazah riabit,
>> -Na chuzhoj karavaj rot ne razevaj,
>> -Berut zavidki na chuzhie pozhitki,
>> -Ne kosi glaz na chuzhoj kvas, etc. (funny, ah?)
>>
>> And there are many more if you are talking about zavist'.
>>
>> Best wishes.
>> Alfia Rakova
>>
>>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
>  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
>                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------