As They Say In Zanzibar

David Crystal, one of the world’s leading commentators on language, tackles the proverbs of the world. In this anthology of global proverbs Crystal brings his customary keen eye and linguistic expertise to this wonderfully rich topic.

Proverbs are fascinating in what they tell us about a culture's view of everyday life: whether it be the importance of animals or the significance of the weather, proverbial wisdom is a key factor in understanding different peoples and cultures. Here David Crystal, the world's leading commentator on language, takes us on a global tour of the world's proverbs. Whether you are in Andorra, China or Tierra del Fuego, there is a nugget of local wisdom to inform and entertain.

Some proverbs to entertain:
When two elephants struggle, it is the grass which suffers. (Zanzibar)One must chew according to one's teeth (Norway)Admiration is the daughter of ignorance (Spain)A blind man needs no looking glass (Scotland)Never bolt your door with a boiled carrot (Ireland)Don't call the alligator a big-mouth till you have crossed the river (Belize)An untouched drum does not speak. (Liberia)Do not try to borrow combs from shaven monks. (China)
Reviews

'The man is a national treasure' – John Humphrys, The Times, Jan 14th ‘06

About the author

David Crystal is one of the world's best-known and respected commentators on language. He has been a consultant, contributor, or presenter on all the important radio and television programmes and series about language. These include The Story of English (TV and radio versions) and The Routes of English (as consultant and contributor). He was the consultant for the BBC Voices project in 2005.David Crystal was Sam Wanamaker Fellow at Shakespeare's Globe in 2003-4 and is honorary president of the Johnson Society for 2005-6. He has also been a member of the Board of the British Council and is currently on the board of the English-Speaking Union. He received an OBE for services to the English language in 1995, and was made a Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) in 2000.