11:11 Waves Blog 85: Mandi 

Weekly ideas to stimulate reflection, inspire new possibilities and encourage new ways of doing and being. 

1. Test the water 

This week’s word is: Mandi 

Friulano is a language spoken in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia (the region where I am originally from), located in the northeastern part of Italy. "Mandi" is the most well-known Friulano word in the world and it is simply a friendly and informal greeting. 

There are various hypotheses regarding the origin of Mandi. One of these hypotesis is that the word derives from the ancient "m’arecomandi" which means "I recommend to you" or "I entrust myself (to God, to you, to you all)." 

According to others, the word is believed to derive from the Latin:  

• Mane diu (literally "stay long," or "long life")

• Manus dei (literally "hand of God," or "may God protect you")

• Mane deo (literally "stay with God")

What is the most quintessential word from your place of origin, and how do you relate to it? Discuss the question here. 

2. Experience the initial wave 

To broaden your perspective, take a few minutes to read the following proverbs in the Friulano language and notice what comes up for you. 

I. 

Par restâ zovins bisugne ridi ogni di.  

To stay young, one must laugh every day.  

II. 

Ogni mês si fâs la lune, ogni dì s’impare une.   

Every month, there’s a new moon; every day, you learn something new. 

III. 

Prime di dî di nò, viôt se tu pûs dî di sì, prime di dî di sì, pense sôre une dì. 

Before saying no, see if you can say yes; before saying yes, think it over for a day. 

3. Dive deep 

Most proverbs and sayings from my region reflect a deep cultural appreciation for diligence and perseverance and the belief that hard work is foundational to achieving success. To gain a deeper understanding and spark new discoveries, this week I invite you to reflect on the following question: 

• Can you identify a specific belief or value that is commonly expressed in proverbs from your background? How has this shaped your worldview? 

4. Ride your radiant wave 

This week, I invite you to get curious and engage in a conversation with someone about proverbs in different languages or dialects. To break the ice, feel free to use the questions below:  

• What are your favorite proverbs from your culture and what do these proverbs mean to you? 

• How do the meanings of proverbs change when translated into another language? Are there nuances that get lost in translation? 

• What do the proverbs reveal about the values and beliefs of your cultures? 

• Compare proverbs from different cultures that convey similar messages. What common themes do you notice? 

  
  

This exchange can enrich your understanding of language, culture, and the shared human experience!