2

I have a problem translating a particular idiom to an other language (Arabic if this is relevant). The idiom is as in the title: "People of that age [middle aged people in their 40's] become little more than children. You drag the horizon of youth along with you, like the reverse of walking to the end of the rainbow."

Every reference I found on the internet is about a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Whereas I can remember two other versions of it. The first being that a child reaching the end of the rainbow either turns them into the opposite sex or makes them an adult. Obviously the latter is the version intended by the author.

My question is: Are there any geographical or cultural distribution for these differences? Like American children believe that the rainbow will make them adults and the British children will find a pot of gold?

I asked this question on ELU and was told to ask it here. (i.e.: Don't send me back there)

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Google reveals that the legend about switching genders is Bulgarian.
    – Mithical ♦
    Nov 12, 2017 at 9:48
  • 5
    To be honest, if not for the final line of this question, I would've said this should be on a language site instead, as a sort of English-to-Arabic version of ELU questions like this or this or this. Are you asking for help with translation of this proverb, or for information on its cultural history in English? (The former would be off-topic; the latter may be on-topic.)
    – Rand al'Thor ♦
    Nov 12, 2017 at 13:02
  • The exact concept is not present in Arabic, I'm trying to understand the concept first to adapt it into Arabic or use a similar existing proverb.
    – workoverflow
    Nov 14, 2017 at 8:18

0

Reset to default

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.