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Idioms

Idioms (carokop / carolok) are words or phrases that aren't meant to be taken literally, and usually have a cultural meaning behind them.

Idioms are an integral part of languages around the world, adding color and cultural depth to our communications. They consist of phrases or expressions whose meanings cannot be understood from the literal definitions of the words they contain. This characteristic makes idioms fascinating, as they offer insights into the cultural practices, historical contexts and values of the speakers.

Cultural significance of Idioms
The cultural significance of idioms extends beyond their use as linguistic expressions;- they serve as windows into the values, history, and societal norms of their users. Learning and using idioms appropriately requires not only language skills but also a deep understanding of cultural context.

They add a layer of complexity and beauty to language, showcasing the creativity and historical depth of linguistic expression.

1) People

In Lango culture, idioms related to people often encapsulate the community's values, social norms, and observations about human nature and relationships. These expressions serve as conduits for wisdom, offering insights into the social fabric of the Lango people and the principles that guide their interactions

Lango	English	Meaning
Geyo cet a pe i pyelo.	Removing or cleaning faeces that you didn't defecate.	Paying for the sin you didn't commit.
Mwonyo lao.	Swallowing saliva.	Admiring something.
En kome too pi jami.	He/she dies for things.	He/she is a copycat.
Wii pur alok	The head of a hoe-handle changes.	Things could all of a sudden change and one has to be prepared for the change that could be negative.
Gulu to i dogola	A pot dies at the doorway.	Failing at the last moment.
Inyono otac okuto	You will tread on a grasshopper of thorns.	The activity one is about to perform is potentially dangerous and should not be done.
Agum kom pe lolle.	A lucky person doesn't struggle.	A lucky person always gets things on a silver plate.
Remo pek loo pii	Blood is thicker than water.	Your relative is better than a stranger or an outsider.
Ryeko loo tekom	Wisdom is better than strength.	You better have wisdom than strength without wisdom.
Acwec cemo i pado	A moulder eats from the broken pot.	The owner of a thing is always economical.

2) Animals

Animal idioms in Lango culture often draws from the characteristics, behaviors and roles of animals in the natural world to convey wisdom, advice and insights into human behavior and societal norms. These idioms are rich in metaphor and meaning, not only reflect the Lango people's close observation of respect for the natural world, but also serve as vehicles for imparting wisdom, guiding behavior, and teaching moral values. They underscore the interconnectedness of human society and the animal kingdom, drawing parallels that offer lessons on adaptability, opportunity, humility, tolerance, and the recognition of individual strengths and limitations.

Lango	English	Meaning
Ayom ture kene.	A baboon lowers itself.	There will reach a time when one will lower their pride down.
Byelo puc i pil.	Carrying a cut in pil.	Wasting time doing something that cannot yield the fruit or work.
Ibolo opuk i pii.	You dropped a tortoise in water.	A victim is cornered but ultimately is inadvertently given a free passage to safety by his tormentors.
Gwok adako dang mako	Even a female dog can hold.	Even a woman can do what a man does.
Engato akok mom mako lee.	A lion that roars doesn't catch game.	Difficult tasks are best perormed discreetly.
Ogwalogwal acel balo wang pii.	One frog spoils the eye of water.	One wrong move is enough to derail or spoil everything.
Lak lyeci pe peki	Your elephant is not heavy for you.	No matter what the circumstances maybe,one is capable of solving his/her personal problems.
Pe i cob dud gwok kede owec	Don't pierce a dog's anus with a broom.	Don't trigger what you can't manage.
Ayita a twon oneno i mac	A male squirrel's testical is seen from fire.	When going gets tough only the tough ones will persist.
Ayom nyero dud awotere	A baboon laughs at a fellow baboon's anus.	Laughing at somebody forgetting that you have the same problems.
Odyek ka okok iceng ogwoko romi.	When hyena cries during daytime the sheeps are kept.	When warned one takes extra precaution to be able to manage potential risks associated with the circumstances that will come to pass.
Anek lyec lyec aneko	The killer of elephant is killed by an elephant.	One's downfall is somehow linked to what one does repeatedly in life.

3) Birds

Birds in many cultures are symbols of freedom, wisdom, and forewarning, and they might be used in idioms to symbolize these qualities. For instance, an idiom might use the imagery of a bird in flight to represent freedom or the aspiration to achieve greater heights. These specific idioms reflect the cultural significance of various birds within the Lango community and the lessons or values they are meant to impart.

Lango	English	Meaning
Aweno pe weko wie	A guinea fowl doesn't leave its head.	A person exhibits identical behaviour to that of one of the parents.
Winyo ocodo tol.	The bird snapped the string.	A very lucky escape.
Itucere keni bala ewalo.	You disclosed yourself like a crested crane.	Acting in a way that your identity is unmistakable.
Dyekal odong awele.	The compound has been abandoned to doves.	Nobody can prevent something from taking place.
Acut ca woto poto caa.	The vulture is going to land there.	A lazy person will adjust accordingly.
Winyo a lwi malo pwod dwogo te too piny.	A bird that flies upto the sky will still come back to die down.	Pride takes one nowhere.

4) Spaces

Idioms are deeply rooted in the specific experiences, environment and worldview of a culture. The idea of vastness, mystery, or exploration themes often associated with space can be found in many cultural expressions, including Lango.

Lango	English	Meaning
Wilobo ni wire.	This world goes round.	Today might be you and toorrow will be another person.
Wii lobo ni ka omyeni kwon, ibango pe ityeko.	When this world mingles for you posho, you will eat and not finish.	Being unlucky in everywhere you go and in everything you do.
Icok angic dang a wangi.	Also cold sweet potatoes will burn you.	Being unlucky in everywhere and in everything.
Gin ari doko gweng	Something that delays turns out to be stone.	Difficult issues should be solved immediately.
Awac kom camo owara.	A lazy person eats an empty honeycomb.	One should work hard in order to enjoy the fruits of labour.
Mac nywalo buru	Fire begets ass.	A good person can give birth to a bad person.
Yito pe duny nono	There's no smoke without fire.	There is always something that causes something.
Atic wange col.	A worker's eye is black.	It is difficult to give out something you achieved in a difficult way.

5) Insects

Insects represent idioms of positive qualities like cooperation and hard work, and negative qualities like greed.

Lango	English	Meaning
Anyapo neno igolo	A lazy person sees from the fishhook.	A lazy person sees fish in people's fishhook.
Okupa oleo nge gwen	Nocturnal termites came after the chickens left.	Something happened while you were away.
Momot omio dedek otuno i kulo.	Slowness made the earthworm reach the stream.	Teaches moral values of persistence, perseverance and patience.
Lwang mom okune wang bur.	You don't surrender a wound to a fly.	A delicate issue should not be neglected.
Iwao mori akedi.	You pulled safari ants with a grass rope.	One can unknowingly facilitate/encourage one's adversary to attack him/her.
Apoti omio pipino ocweo owara.	Imitation caused the wasp to construct an empty honeycomb.	It teaches the value of authenticity.

6) Plants

Plants have characteristics which make idioms fascinating, as they offer insights into the cultural practices, historical contexts and values of the Lango community.

Lango	English	Meaning
Opobo inget pacu pe ojako	Walnut tree around home is not plucked.	Don't marry a girl from around home or in the neighborhood.
Co too i rao	Men die in burnt grass.	Most men get killed in the wilderness while performing tasks.
Yat otal yamo areto	A dry tree is felled by wind.	Old tale are physically very resistant to prevailing winds
Yat ka ogom mom dong twenyere	A tree that is curved cannot be straightened.	An incorrigible person.
Olam alim mom cek iryo i ooro acel.	Sweet sycamore fruits don't ripen twice in one dry season.	Opportunity doesn't knock twice.
Ka idak mom iputo tyen okono.	While migrating don't uproot the leg of a pumpkin.	A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.

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