Mas Sabe El Diablo Qartulad -

In Georgian, this phrase translates to: "არა თუ დევი იცის, არამედ მოხუცსაც არაფერი გაუგონია" (roughly meaning "It is not only the devil who knows, but even an old man has heard everything").

Here is a short academic-style paper analyzing the translation and cultural context of this phrase.

Title: Wisdom and Age: A Comparative Analysis of the Spanish Proverb "Más sabe el diablo..." and its Georgian Equivalent

Abstract Proverbs serve as linguistic vessels for cultural values, encapsulating collective wisdom regarding human nature. This paper explores the Spanish proverb “Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo” (The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil) and its functional equivalent in Georgian, “არა თუ დევი იცის, არამედ მოხუცსაც არაფერი გაუგონია”. By analyzing the semantic shifts between the Spanish focus on "experience" and the Georgian focus on "knowledge accumulation," this paper highlights how both cultures navigate the interplay between age, wisdom, and the supernatural.

Introduction The Spanish proverb “Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo” is one of the most recognized sayings in the Hispanic world. It asserts that experience (being "old") is a superior source of wisdom than innate nature or status (being "the devil"). When translating such idioms into Georgian, a direct calque (literal translation) often fails to convey the intended authority of the statement. Instead, Georgian folklore offers a parallel proverb that, while distinct in imagery, mirrors the core didactic message: respect for the wisdom of the elderly.

The Spanish Context: Experience Over Essence In the Spanish idiom, the figure of the Devil (el diablo) represents the pinnacle of cunning and supernatural intelligence. However, the proverb subverts this power dynamic by suggesting that even the Devil’s knowledge is outstripped by the simple fact of aging. The phrase is often used to silence younger individuals who believe they possess superior intellect. The rhetorical power lies in the comparison: if the Prince of Darkness relies on age for wisdom, surely a young human should defer to their elders.

The Georgian Equivalent: The "Devi" and the Elder The Georgian translation typically cited as an equivalent is: mas sabe el diablo qartulad

"არა თუ დევი იცის, არამედ მოხუცსაც არაფერი გაუგონია" (Literally: "Not only does the devi know, but the old man has heard nothing new.")

In Georgian folklore, the devi is a mythological figure, often a giant or a demonic entity, comparable in some contexts to the Christian devil, though often depicted with more bestial characteristics. The structure of the Georgian proverb operates differently than the Spanish. While the Spanish emphasizes the source of the devil's knowledge (age vs. nature), the Georgian emphasizes the completeness of the elder's knowledge.

The phrase “მოხუცსაც არაფერი გაუგონია” suggests that the old man has "heard everything" (or conversely, that nothing is new to him). This aligns with the Spanish sentiment that experience is the ultimate teacher, but it shifts the focus from the Devil's aging to the Elder's comprehensive experience.

Cultural Implications and Translation Theory From a translation theory perspective, moving from the Spanish diablo to the Georgian devi represents a process of domestication. A literal translation of the Spanish phrase (ეშმაკი უკეთ იცის, რადგან ბებერია) would be understood, but it would lack the folkloric resonance of the native saying.

Furthermore, the Georgian proverb subtly reinforces the societal hierarchy of the traditional Georgian family, where the “დედაბერი” (grandmother) and “მამაბერი” (grandfather) are custodians of truth. The Spanish saying warns against the arrogance of youth; the Georgian saying asserts the omniscience of age.

Conclusion While the Spanish proverb “Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo” and the Georgian “არა თუ დევი იცის...” utilize different mythological reference points (the Devil vs. the Devi), they converge on a universal truth: the accumulation of experience supersedes innate talent. The translation is not merely linguistic but cultural, bridging the gap between Mediterranean Catholic symbolism and the Caucasus' distinct mythological heritage. In Georgian, this phrase translates to: "არა თუ

Option A: Phonetic Transliteration (Writing Spanish with Georgian Letters)

For a Georgian speaker reading Spanish words aloud, "mas sabe el diablo" would be written as:

მას საბე ელ დიაბლო (Mas sabe el diablo)

And the full version:

მას საბე ელ დიაბლო პორ ვიეხო ქუე პორ დიაბლო
(Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo)

However, this is gibberish to a Georgian listener who does not know Spanish. It is merely a foreign sound string.

4. Usos prácticos (comunicación y toma de decisiones)

En mentoring y gestión: justificar consultas a personal senior para evitar errores repetidos.
En enseñanza: valorar prácticas, pasantías y aprendizaje por experiencia.
En negociación: reconocer la ventaja de contraparte experimentada; preparar estrategias basadas en historial.
En contratación: equilibrar criterios entre juventud con potencial y experiencia probada.

Part 1: The Original Proverb – What Does "Más Sabe el Diablo" Mean?

Before diving into the Georgian version, let us deconstruct the original Spanish. Title: Wisdom and Age: A Comparative Analysis of

Full phrase: Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.
Literal translation: "The devil knows more because he is old than because he is the devil."
Short form: Más sabe el diablo (The devil knows more).
Meaning: Experience (age) trumps inherent talent or evil. An older person, even if not particularly gifted, has accumulated wisdom simply through time.

In Spanish-speaking cultures, this proverb is often used to console someone who feels less talented, reminding them that time and practice matter. It is also a soft warning: Do not underestimate someone just because they seem ordinary; their years of experience make them sharp.

Resumen ejecutivo

Frase probable: "más sabe el diablo ..." — refrán español que alude a la astucia del diablo frente a la ingenuidad humana.
"Qartulad" no es una palabra española conocida; puede ser:
- transliteración del georgiano "qartulad" (ქართული), que significa "en georgiano";
- nombre propio, apodo o error tipográfico de otra palabra (ej.: "que rumald", "que tal");
- término estilizado en una obra literaria o canción.
Interpretación combinada (más plausible): “Más sabe el diablo, qartulad” podría leerse como “El diablo sabe más (que nosotros) — en georgiano”, o una frase creativa que mezcla el refrán con la palabra georgiana para indicar astucia en contexto georgiano.

Part 6: Step-by-Step Guide to Using "Mas Sabe el Diablo" in a Georgian Conversation

Imagine you are a Spanish-speaking foreigner living in Georgia, or a Georgian student in Spain. Here is how you would deploy this phrase:

Scenario: A young, talented programmer in Tbilisi thinks he is better than a 60-year-old Soviet-era engineer. You want to say: "Más sabe el diablo por viejo..."

Step 1 – Decide your audience.

If speaking to a young Georgian who knows Spanish: Use the Spanish phrase directly.
If speaking to a monolingual Georgian: Use the "old fox" proverb: "ძველი მელა ხაფანგში არ მოხვდება" (Dzveli mela...).

Step 2 – Adapt to Georgian politeness levels.
Georgian has formal and informal verb forms. If you are advising a colleague: "ნუ იჩქარებ, მოხუცს მეტი აქვს ნანახი" (Don't rush, the old man has seen more).

Step 3 – Use the devil sparingly.
Traditional Georgians may frown upon literally invoking the devil (esh-maki) in daily speech, as Orthodox Christianity is strong there. Unlike in Mexico or Spain, where diablo is colloquial, the Georgian esh-maki carries a heavier supernatural weight. So, mas sabe el diablo qartulad is best used as a translation exercise, not a casual idiom.

2. Origen y contexto cultural breve

Procede de la tradición popular hispana; se usa desde hace siglos en refranero castellano.
Equivalentes: “La experiencia es la madre de la ciencia”, “La práctica hace al maestro”.