Similarities

General Information about Item:

• Verbal folklore, Proverb
• Language: Spanish
• Informant: Jose Alvarado-Carcoma
• Date Collected: 10-26-18

Informant Data:

Jose Alvarado-Carcoma is a sophomore at Dartmouth College. His family is from El Salvador, and he is a first-generation college student. Jose is a Spanish major, and, as such, he interacts with many other Hispanic students on campus. He finds that his closest friends so far have been first-generation, Hispanic students, and he finds this proverb especially apt in explaining this event.

Contextual Data:

• Cultural Context: Jose explains that in Spanish/Hispanic culture, there is an emphasis on community. Community is defined through shared culture and language, but, more importantly, common morals and values. His family has used this proverb to remind him that when making friends, he will likely build the strongest connections with those whom he share similarities.
• Social Context: This proverb was particularly important when Jose was transitioning into college, and was searching for a community that would allow him to feel safe and comfortable. He has found that he is more likely to get along with students who are from Honduras or Guatemala, countries geographically close to El Salvador, because they speak the same language and shared similar cultures. Jose applied this proverb throughout his first year at Dartmouth as he was searching for a community away from home.

Item:

Orally transmitted proverb:

“Cada quien con su cada cual.”

Translation:

“Each one with his own.”

Transcript:

“Cada quien con su cada cual” is a phrase that describes an individual’s search for friendship. Essentially, what it states is that an individual will search for other people who resemble their characteristics, their personality, along with values, morals. This is particularly important in college, when an individual is searching for people who will allow them to feel comfortable, feel safe; and this is usually done through the process of similar activities, similar likes…interests. I’ve heard this phrase used by my mom and by other people in my family, particularly when they have told me to focus on finding people that I will build a connection with; building connection through similar morals, similar values. In spanish culture, we see an emphasis on collectivist community, particularly individuals who are close to one another through common interests and language. So I have used this personally to  make friends who are geographically close to me. So in terms of El Salvador, I get along with someone who is from Honduras, let’s say, or Guatemala, as opposed to someone who may live farther off and have a different language, culture, and ideas.

Informant’s Comments:

• This proverb resembles the English proverb, “Birds of a feather, flock together.”

Collector’s Comments:

• This proverb falls under the theme of “Like Attracts Like.”
• The proverb reiterates the importance of community within Spanish culture.

Collector’s Name: Vi Nguyen

Tags/Keywords:

• Verbal Lore
• Spanish Proverb
• Friends