Omiano vya Tjipangandjara: Otjiherero Proverbs and Idioms

Omiano omitorokwa. CALQUES

Omiano omitorokwa CALQUES Omuano omutorokwa otjike¿a? Omuano omutorokwa omuano mbu torokwa ongarate okuza komaraka warwe. What is a calque? A calque is a literally translated proverb or idiom from another language. Omahereroparisiro Calques Omiano omitorokwa Literal translation Omatorokero ongarate General meaning Omaheya English/Afrikaans original Omuze wOtjiingirisa poo Otjimburu Calques 177 1 Okasino kake putara mewe rimwe tuvari. Literal translation A donkey does not stumble over the same stone twice. General meaning One will not make the same mistake twice. Afrikaans original ƌ(VHOVWRRWKRPQLHWZHHNHHUDDQGLHVHOGHNOLS nie. 2 Orusuvero orupoÞu. Literal translation Love is blind. General meaning Someone in love does not see the faults of the person they love. English original Love is blind. 3 Ngu tjinda engaruvyo ma Þengaruvyo. Literal translation He who carries the sword will die by the sword. General meaning If you behave in a risky way, you are likely to have problems. People die the way they live. English original He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. He who plays with fire gets burnt. 4 Omunarumongo mehi rovapoÞu. Literal translation She/he is the one-eyed in the land of blinds. General meaning She/he is the only expert. English original In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Calques 178 5 Pu pe nomuise mutu pe nomuriro. Literal translation Where there is smoke there should be a fire. General meaning There could be some truth in the rumour. English original Where there’s smoke there’s fire. 6 Nÿe nomainya nga sana onÿe tuka pamwe. Literal translation Those with feathers that look similar are those that fly together. General meaning People of the same kind are usually found together. English original Birds of a feather flock together. 7 Pu pe nombango pe nondjira. Literal translation Where there is a will there is a road/path/way. General meaning Someone with determination will find a way to reach their goal. English original Where there’s a will, there’s a way. 8 Omakaya ya ningena. Literal translation The tobacco is wet. General meaning It has failed. Afrikaans original Die twak is nat. Calques 179 9 Tji mo kunu otji mo kondo. Literal translation What you have sown is what you will cut. General meaning You have to accept the consequences of your actions. English original As you sow, so shall you reap. You reap what you sow. 10 O pendura ombwa ndja rara. Literal translation Do not awaken a sleeping dog. General meaning Do not tease or irritate a person who has taken no notice of you, for if you attract their attention, they may make trouble. English original Let sleeping dogs lie. Afrikaans original 0RHQLHƌVODSHQGHKRQGZDNNHUPDDNQLH ...