SEAsian Proverb query

[Greg Aumann]

Carl,
        there is a published list of proverbs for Iu-Mienh. The reference is

Lombard, Sylvia J. (compiler) and Purnell, Herbert C., Jr. (ed.). 1968.
Yao-English Dictionary. Southeast Asia Program, Data Paper 69. Ithaca, New
York: Department of Asian Studies, Cornell University.
see Appendix D pages 335 to 339.

The orthography used in this dictionary has been superceded. See
Purnell, Herbert C. 1987. 'Developing Practical Orthographies for the Iu
Mien (Yao) 1932-1986: A Case Study.' Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area,
10(2):128-41.

Iu-Mienh (also called Iu Mien or Yao) is a Hmong-Mien language spoken in
Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China.

Greg Aumann

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Rubino" <carlrubino at home.com>
To: <sealang-l at nectec.or.th>
Sent: Thursday, 10 May 2001 2:55 AM
Subject: SEAsian Proverb query


Hello from Washington DC. I am just writing to ask if any of you have
collected any unique proverbs in minority SE Asian languages (or minority
languages of China) you would like to contribute to an upcoming book (with
proper acknowledgement of course).
  I have a rather large collection of proverbs in most of the major
languages of the region (having exhausted the materials at the Library of
Congress) and would like to now add some unique wise sayings from lesser
known languages.
  Following is a partial list of the languages I have proverbs from followed
by some example proverbs.
  Any proverb/s you can contribute to the book, or possible contacts will be
extremely appreciated!
  Carl


****

Proverbs already collected in:

Vietnamese, Thai, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Shan, Kammu, Lahu, Hmong, Indonesian,
Malay, Tagalog AND:

INDONESIA: Larantuka (Flores), Indonesian, Tidore, Nias, Javanese, Acehnese,
Pitu Ulunna Salu (Sulawesi), Bugis, Sundanese, Sasak, Iban, Minangkabau,
Lampung, Tetun, Karo Batak, Balinese, Betawi, Bugis, Toba Batak

PHILIPPINES: Ilocano, Tagalog, Chabacano, Kankana-ey, Mansaka, Mandaya,
Bikol, Ibanag, Manobo, Ilianen, Yogad, Botolan Sambal, Aklanon, Boholano,
Bukidnon, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Gaddang, Ivatan, Kalinga, Kapampangan,
Maguindanao, Manobo Agusan del Sur, Palawan, Pangasinan, Tausug, Waray,
Caviteno, Zamboangueno, Ternateno, Sambal, Ifugao, Isinai, Romblomanon

Examples of some SE Asian proverbs:

Sarang nimo mahigtan ang karabao sing isa ka nahut nga lanut, apang indi
nimo magapus sang talikala ang babae nga makalam sing pamatasan.
(Hiligaynon)
You can tie down a carabao (water buffalo) with abaca thread, but not a
coquette with even an iron chain. (Donated by J. A. Galvez)

Abila gae akOi gowi, afatO na lafangamOi. (Nias)
A crooked banana and bent cassava will only break if someone tries to
straighten them. (Donated by Yosafati Hulu)

Qóng c? pé hli, klua njrúa njrâo; qùa-pû c? pé mao, klua njrúa zh?o. (Green
Miao)
(When you have) abandoned crops for three months, grass will have taken over
the fields. (When you have) abandoned a woman for three nights, (she) will
already be (enjoying herself with men) all over the village.


=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=
Dr. Carl Rubino
http://iloko.tripod.com
webmaster at tagalog.org
202-777-2641 ext. 9780 (messages/fax)