| José Antonio Burciaga |
IN FEW WORDS / EN POCAS PALABRAS A Compendium of Latino Folk Wit and Wisdom  |
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In Few
Words / En Pocas Palabras
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The first title of the
NEA Heritage & Preservation Series ,
which celebrates
the multicultural diversity of American letters with modern classics of
cultural identity.
“Spanish-speaking cultures carry a strong oral tradition where proverbs play an important role,” writes José Antonio Burciaga, author of Drink Cultura. This generous compilation of Latino folk sayings — dichos — brings us the wit and wisdom of Latino people in a bilingual edition that will delight readers of English and Spanish alike. Arranged by theme, these dichos express prevailing attitudes about subjects from Ability, Adversity, and Advice to Work, Writing, and Youth. Many clearly spring from the Latino soul — “Neither renewed love, nor reheated chocolate” — while others convey more universal themes — “Writing has a good memory, it lasts forever.” In Few Words / En Pocas Palabras provides a glimpse into the heart of a people. It is an invaluable resource for anyone learning or celebrating the Spanish language or Hispanic culture.
"José Antonio Burciaga has done it again! His book of Latino folk sayings is a mesmerizing goldmine of the wisdom and wit of a people who can laugh off any hardship. As a true poet, Burciaga has come out with real jewels. Some can make us laugh; others can make us cry; all come from the deepest realm of our collective soul and heart." ALSO IN THIS SERIES:
* THE WIG * RUNNING THROUGH FIRE |
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JOSÉ ANTONIO BURCIAGA was an artist and a writer. Originally from Texas, he lived in Carmel Highlands, California, with his wife until his death in 1996. He was a founding member of the Culture Clash comedy troupe, a mural artist, an essayist, and a Resident Fellow at Standford University. Winner of the 1995 National Hispanic Heritage Award for Literature and the 1992 American Book Award for his book of poetry, Undocumented Love, Burciaga was the author of four other books including: Spilling the Beans: Loteria Chicano, Drink Cultura: Chicanismo, Weedee Peepo, and Restless Serpents.
Cover art: Anonymous
folk art from New Mexico | ||