Arabic proverbsArabic proverbs ''bear the stamp of approval from tradition and are thought to express best one's thoughts on many occasions.In fact, the widespread use of proverbs in general conversation ''in the East as in the West'' has been dealt a fatal blow by the influence of ''modern:-meaning Westerneducation, and that' the younger generation rapidly losing their father's memory of and taste for proverbs

The study of Arabic proverbsactive school of Arab philologists sought to preserve the verbal heritage and protect the language from non-Arabic influences by recording what they could of ancient usage, including proverbs and related forms of expression. In fact ,almost all the noted philologists devoted special works to proverbs The result was an extensive literature on Standard Arabic proverbs

The study of Arabic proverbsThe oldest extant philological treatise on Arabic proverbs is the eighth century Kitab al-Amthal (Book of proverbs ) of Mufaddal Ibn Salamah al Dabbi . Ibn Salamah, who died in the second century of Hijra, was a Kufan philologist and an authority on pre-Islamic poetry. His work on proverbs, one of the best known collections of Standard Arabic proverbs, was among his many works on a variety of subjects.

The study of Arabic proverbsHamza al Isfahani`s 10th century collection survives in manuscript form. This collection deals with proverbs in the afa`lu min verbal form and was used extensively by later writers; it was, for example, '' copied word for word by al-Maidani for the corresponding section of his book ''.

The study of Arabic proverbsThe best known and most comprehensive of the early Arabic proverbs studies is the Kitab Majma` al Amthal (Book of collected proverbs) of Ahmed b. Muhammed al- Maidani, another philologist. Al- Maidani, who died October 27, 1124, gathered together material collected by forerunners and ''expanded each section by an appendix on modern proverbs ''.AlMaydani`s Kitab, still extant in several manuscript and regarded as a standard book on Arabic proverbs appeared in two volumes,

Arabic proverbs and their translation:

More observant than Zarqaa' Al Yamama. (A famous woman with incredible eye sight) .Beware of the whose goodness you can't ask for and whose evil you can't be protected from. .Literal meaning: Save your white penny for your black day.Idiomatic translation: A penny saved is a penny earned.

Arabic proverbs and their translation:

.(The end of life is death). Live life to its fullest. .If there's no choice but advise, ask for the decisiveness of an advisor or the advice of a decisive person. .If you wanted obedience command with what is possible.

Arabic proverbs and their translation .Shall the sheep go astray; they will be led by the ill goat. .When the reason is known, there will be no more shock. (Said when you are wondering why something happened). .If you have no shame then do whatever you want.

Arabic proverbs and their translation .If a wind blows, ride it! (If a chance comes, take advantage of it). .If you know then it's a disaster, and if you don't know then it's a greater disaster. (Like: if a leader knows or doesn't know about the corruption in his group). .If you can't reward then you should thank.

Arabic proverbs and their translation .If you reach for the highest of ideals, you shouldn't settle for less than the stars. .Among the blind, the one-eyed man is king. .A problem is solved when it gets tougher. .Thank who gives you and give who thanks you.

Arabic proverbs and their translation .Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone. .Smart people are blessed. .The purest people are the ones with good manners. .Literal meaning: Give the dough to baker even if he eats half of it.Translation: Give the job to a person who knows how to perform it best even if it will cost you.

Teaching English proverbsTeaching through dialoguing Businessperson 1: "I cant believe the weather. Its raining cats and dogs!" Businessperson 2: "Oh yes, but I think it will improve. However, we shouldnt count our chickens before theyve hatched. I saw the forecast and it may well continue raining until the weekend."

Teaching English proverbsDeal with proverbs and idioms as and when they crop up in their contexts, such as in reading and listening tasks or when you use one naturally in class. Use visuals and pictures to help learners remember them. For eample, draw a bird in the hand and two in the bush.

Teaching English proverbsDo some matching activities. For example, give students five proverbs that have been cut in half and get them to match them up. Ask students if any of the proverbs translate directly into their own language. Most of the time students will know a similar expression in their language and it can help them to remember them if they compare the differences between English and their language.

Teaching English proverbsPut them into context. Try to use situations when people actually use the expressions and get students to create dialogues or role-play and to use a few of the proverbs to reinforce the meaning. Explain to students that it may be more useful for them to be able to understand the expressions when they hear them than to be able to produce them. Ask them how they would react if you used this type of expression in their language. Would they find it a bit strange? Dont overload students with too many at a time. Five is probably a good number for one class.