Considering the proverbs, linguists necessarily delve into their origin. And, based on the etymology of the catch phrase, they establish its meaning. “Seven nannies have a child without an eye” - it seems to be a simple proverb, but this is only at first glance.
Modern interpretation
Most modern dictionaries give the following meaning: “Seven nannies have a child without an eye”: if too many people are appointed to carry out a task, the result can be zero or negative. In this case, the phrase "without the eye" is considered as "unattended." That is, a child assigned to several teachers may be left without supervision at all. After all, each nanny will hope that another will do the work for her.
Synonymous proverbs when "eye" is used in the meaning of "eye"
This meaning, “Seven nannies have a child without an eye, ” is confirmed by the synonymous proverb “Seven shepherds have no flocks.” This catchphrase, even in construction, resembles the one that is understood here.
By the way, in many Slavic languages there are similar variations on the synonymous proverb. “There were seven shepherds at one bright place - that’s how the wolves dragged into the forest” - one of them. This value coincides with “Seven nannies have a child without an eye” and with the Czech version “The more shepherds, the higher the loss”.
Vividly demonstrates the unfortunate result with several responsible people and such a saying: "With two helmsmen, the ship will sink."
“Where there are many gentlemen, the hut is not cleaned (not methane)” - the Polish version, which shows the ownerlessness of the room, a mess in it, even despite the large number of bosses.
The literal meaning of the proverb “Seven nannies of a child without an eye”
But the interpretation of the catch phrase, when each word is perceived in the literal sense, cannot be ignored. “Without the eye, ” some people perceive as “eyeless, ” that is, “blind.”
If you delve into the meaning of this proverb, then it largely overlaps with the first option. That is, when several nurses, nannies, and teachers look after a child, then there is a possibility of shifting responsibility from one to another, as a result of which the child is left without the necessary attention and may lose his sight.
And proof of this approach to the semantic analysis of the dictum can serve as folk proverbs and sayings from other languages. Translated into Russian, the Ukrainian version reads: “Seven nannies have a child without a nose” or “Where there are many nannies, a child without a head”. Options for replacing “without a head” - either “without a navel”, or even a “cripple”.
Polish folk proverbs and sayings offer an even larger palette of “disability”. So, a child, if he has many mothers-nannies, can traditionally lose his eye. And according to Ukrainian versions, he is prophesied to be left without a nose or without a head. According to a purely Polish view of the situation, the child may well lose his arm or leg, become hunchbacked or have a painful look.
As can be seen from the comparative characteristics of all these proverbs, the number seven does not mean a specific meaning, but appears in the sense of "many." And the combination “without an eye” just indicates the loss of any organ by the baby, for which the wrong search was established.
There is no business where there is no agreement
Sometimes the proverb “Seven nannies have a child without an eye” has a broader meaning. This happens in situations where each nanny (caregiver, teacher) approaches her function quite responsibly, but does not coordinate her requirements with other people who also have responsibilities of this kind.
If we consider this option of the meaning of the catch phrase with respect to upbringing, then this happens quite often in families where parents set themselves different tasks, sometimes diametrically opposed. Therefore, their requirements for the child are mutually exclusive. What will be the result of such education is understandable without words.
This version of the interpretation of the proverb is in tune with the situation of Krylov's fable "Swan, Cancer and Pike."
