1. Proverbs
By Lydia Lane

2. General Proverb Definition: Cultures
A brief, memorable saying that expresses a truth or belief
Cultures
300
All around the world

3. Chinese Proverbs 4,000 years Any Situation Classifications
Usage makes for good writing
Classifications
Chengyu: Accepted phrases
Yanyu: Familiar Sayings
Suyu: Popular sayings
Xiehouyu: Two part Allegorical saying
Contain vivid images and dramatic results     

4. African Proverbs Survived the slave trade Adinkra
Writing system developed by the Ashanti Craftsman of Ghana
Philosophy, thought, cosmology, and world of the culture
Sankofa
“To go back and get”
“It is not wrong to go back and get that which you have forgotten”
A message for future generations

5. German Proverbs Short Punch line Brought over with German Immigrants
Some are still used today
Zeit ist Geld.
Time is Money

6. Japanese Proverbs Combination Used commonly Often state things bluntly
Old and New
English to Chinese
Used commonly
Often state things bluntly
Kotowaza- Proverb Dictionary

7. Examples of Proverbs
Chinese: A man should choose a friend who is better than himself. There are plenty of acquaintances in the world, but very few real friends.
African:When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers
German: Time is money
Japanese: Duty is heavy as a mountain, but death is light as a feather

8. Proverbs in Blindness
“In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king” Pg 98
“If the one who does the sharing out fails to get the better part, he’s either a fool or a dullard” 99
“When the spirit is willing, your feet are light” 167

9. Questions Do the proverbs work well in the story?
If the book were reduced to a proverb, what would it be?
What is your favorite proverb?

10. Resources
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 3rd edition
Excerpt from Haiwang Yuan, The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese. Libraries Unlimited, 2006)