Thursday, April 12, 2007

Dialog: Talking aboout English Proverbs

Renny : Can you help me, Ria?
Ria : Yes. What can I do for you?
Renny : I have a problem in English proverbs. I read an English magazine and in the magazine there are several English proverbs. I can’t understand what those proverbs really mean. So, can you explain them to me?
Ria : Okay, I’ll try to help you. What are the proverbs?
Renny : The first proverb is ‘Make hay while the sun shines’.
Ria : Oh, that is a very popular proverb. It means that we must prepare ourselves as well as possible for any possibility which might happen. In Indonesian language there is an equivalent proverb, i.e. ‘Sedia payung sebelum hujan’. What is the next proverb?
Renny : The next proverb is ‘It’s no use crying over the spilt milk’.
Ria : This proverb implies that we shouldn’t regret what has happened.
Renny : Is there an equivalent proverb in Indonesian language?
Ria : Yes, there is. I’m sure you often hear this proverb ‘Nasi telah menjadi bubur’.
Renny : Oh so… I see. Can I ask you another English proverb?
Ria : Go ahead.
Renny : Uhm… let me see. Here it is… ‘Birds of a feather flock together’.
Ria : This proverb means that we tend to make friends with people who have the same hobby, taste, habit, idea or ambition.
Renny : Oh… great! You really master English proverbs, Ria. Can you tell me how to know and understand more about English proverbs?
Ria : It’s easy. I have a book entitled English Proverbs and Quotations by Hendro Darsono. In this book there are around 300 popular English proverbs and 100 wise words or quotations from a number of public figures: politicians, artists, athletes, scientists, etc. I read this book almost every day. I can increase my English knowledge. Besides that, the wise words in this book can encourage me to do good things and to think positively.
Renny : May I borrow the book? I want to know more about English proverbs.
Ria : Of course, you may. But I think you must also buy this book to add to your English book collection.
Renny : Yes, I’ll buy this book next week after I get money from my parents.
Ria : By the way, how is your boyfriend Andre?
Renny : We broke up last month. So, I don’t know where and how he is now. I want to forget all about him.
Ria : Yeah, let bygones be bygones.
Renny : Hey, what does it mean, Ria?
Ria : This is also a proverb. It means ‘Biarlah yang lalu tetap berlalu’.
Renny : Yes, you’re right. Let bygones be bygones.

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