The document discusses proverbs as a tool for cross-cultural research on work culture. It describes how proverbs use metaphorical mappings from source domains (e.g. observing birds) to express universal truths about the target domain of work. A questionnaire was developed using 111 proverbs in Polish and German to measure perceptions of work. Respondents assessed the "up-to-dateness" of proverbs in 37 semantic categories related to work. The results showed some universal dimensions of work culture as well as that Polish work culture is viewed as more traditional than the German work culture.

5. The world upside down ( De Blauwe Huyck ) Peter Bruegel

10. Questionnaire in two equivalent language versions (What is work/Was ist Arbeit) : 111 proverbs = 37 semantic dimensions (3 proverbs per each): i.e. work requires motivation, work has its time, work brings health, work requires reason, organisation, etc. Instruction – (dependent variable measured): „up-to-dateness” of proverbs measured on a 5-grade scale Research group: 296 respondents of various employment /unemployment experience f rom Poland (Lublin) and Germany (Berlin), 148 of each nationality, conducted in 2005

14. Semantic categories of proverbs Od słowa do uczynku tak daleko, jak od liścia do korzenia Praca nie jest samą mową, [work is not just talking] Von Worten zu Werken ist ein weiter Weg Krowa, która dużo ryczy mało, mleka daje Guter Schwätzer, schlechter Arbeiter U złego robotnika siła trzasku, a roboty mało Je schlechter das Werk, desto lauter die Posaune Lenistwo rodzi chorobę Praca daje zdrowie [work gives health] Auf Faulheit folgt Krankheit Kto pracuje, ten nie choruje Gesundheit ist eine Tochter der Arbeit Praca, umiar i spokój zamykają drzwi przed lekarzami Arbeit und Ruh schliesen dem Arzt die Türe zu

20. C 28 : Work has its time: on a workday, not on holiday C 18 : Work gives innocence/sinlessness, develops spiritually C4: Work is a human vocation C 32: Work gives health C 36: Work gives satisfaction

23. Józef Chełmoński, Babie lato [email_address]