Spanish, America's First European Language

by Brian Alcamo

We all know that it’s useful to learn a second language, and many residents in the United States are keen on learning Spanish. Such a goal makes sense, considering it is by far the most commonly spoken second language in the country. But why is that the case? 

The US is the country with the second largest number of Spanish speakers in the world, behind only Mexico (and ahead of Spain itself!). You may think that Spanish is simply common in the United States because of our neighbors to the south in Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American countries. Or perhaps you believe that Spanish became prominent in the United States during waves of immigration in the twentieth century. However, it turns out that the history of Spanish in the United States goes way deeper than hispanophone neighbors and newcomers. 

In fact, the Spanish language arrived on modern day US soil before English.

Spanish’s history in the present day United States dates back to the 16th Century, when Spanish colonizers first arrived in what is now the US back in 1513 with a voyage led by Ponce de Léon. Landing in Florida, they brought their language with them. Spanish colonization efforts didn’t pan out as productively in the Southeast US as they did in the Southwest, though, with Spanish colonies in Southeast mainland North America only reaching up towards northern Florida. Spain eventually held control of Louisiana (not the state, the entire territory, remember the Louisiana purchase?) for a short period of time, but it was regions closer to the Pacific in the Southwest and West Coast that maintained a wider-reaching Spanish language presence. 

A map of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires (Spain’s empire is in blue). Look at the West Coast!

According to Rosina Lozano, author of ‘An American Language: The History of Spanish in the United States,’ “In the 19th century, Spanish was the only language that the federal government supported financially by paying for translations of official territorial documents.’ By World War II, Spanish had become the most popular second language of choice for students to learn in both secondary and higher education. 

Spanish in the US is not a cookie-cutter, singular entity, either. It has just as rich a patchwork of dialects, varieties, and accents as English in the US. For example, the Spanish of Colorado features more monophthongal, “pure” vowels evident of older Castilian Spanish whereas most Spanish elsewhere features diphthongs. Besides just difference in accents, though, some regions of the United States have entire proper varieties named after them.

Take New Mexico, for example. In New Mexico, parts of the government and courts even conducted themselves in Spanish for a time. Some local governments in the state still do today. New Mexican Spanish is its own variety of Spanish that has developed and grown in the state over the course of centuries, dating back to the 1500s. Because New Mexico was isolated from both Spain and other Spanish colonies, New Mexican Spanish has held onto properties found in Castilian Spanish that were historically common centuries ago. New Mexican Spanish has vocabulary influenced by the Nahuatl indigenous people as well as indigenous Pueblos indigenous to the upper Rio Grande Valley. It also includes plenty of mexicanismos from their neighbors to the south. Here’s an example of what New Mexican Spanish sounds like:

Unfortunately, New Mexican Spanish is slowly disappearing, being replaced by a combination of English and Mexican Spanish alike. However, the fact that a variety of Spanish exists that has been around long enough to be named after a US state is proof positive that the language is just as entrenched in US culture as English. 

Make no mistake, the Spanish language is not “invading” the United States. It’s been here the whole time. Spanish is a useful language to learn because of its applicability in the future. Of course, more US Spanish speakers are being born every day. Yes, learning Spanish will make you more competitive on the job market. Sure, it will help you interact with immigrant communities across the country. But perhaps it’s time to consider the notion that perhaps learning Spanish is useful to learn because it also puts us in touch with a rich part of history that is inherently and undeniably American. 

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Why are you interested in learning Spanish? Comment your response below, and be sure to share this blog post with a friend.

7 Latin American LGBTQIA+ Films to Watch For Pride Month

Happy Pride Month! Remember movies? No, remember going to the movies? Neither do we. Luckily, the country’s successful vaccination campaign means that movie theaters are opening up again and it’s once again safe to head back to one of those big, over-air conditioned rooms. However, while we love going to movie theaters, they do typically lack in foreign language films. Watching movies is a great way to practice your target language, especially practicing listening to multiple speakers at the same time. So what’s a Spanish learner to do? Check out one of these 7 fantastic Spanish-language LGBTQIA+ films for a pride-filled language learning adventure!

1. Fuera de Carta (Spain 2008)

Fuera de Carta (Chef’s Special— literally ‘outside of the menu’) is a comedy about a chef who is running a busy restaurant. Disruptions to his already hectic life come to him in the form of being reunited with his estranged children, a new same-sex romantic interest, and the Michelin Guide food critic is coming to review his restaurant. Can he(name?) have it all? Watch on (streaming platform) to find out!

You can rent Fuera de Carta on Apple TV.

2. Joven y Alocada (Chile 2012)

Have you ever seen the show Awkward? Or perhaps Gossip Girl? Right in line with the late 2000s, early 2010s “Precocious Blogger” aesthetic, Joven y Alocada (Young and Wild) follows (name), a typical Chilean teenager who expounds the details of her personal life on a blog with an audience of zero. As her life becomes tangled in bisexual romance and religious conservatism, her blog gains notoriety as the hottest webpage in town. In addition to being heartwarming and funny, this juicy coming-of-age story is based on a real blog!

    You can rent Joven y Alocada on YouTube and Google Play.

3. Plata Quemada (Spain 2001)

Plata Quemada (Burnt Money) isn’t your classic queer romance flick. It’s no Brokeback Mountain, and it certainly isn’t Call Me By Your Name. This film is a gay Bonnie and Clyde. The story’s got action, crime, and romantic passion and it’s not afraid to play with your favorite movie trops along the way. 

    You can watch Plata Quemada on Amazon Prime Video.

4. Viva (Ireland): 

Although its director is Irish (Paddy Breathnach), Viva is a Spanish-language film. The drama centers on Jesus (Héctor Medina), a young gay Cuban man who dreams of becoming a drag queen. These dreams are put on hold when Jesus’s estranged father (name) returns. Throughout the movie, our protagonist must make a painful choice between living his truth and being with his family. 

You can rent Viva on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.

5. Contracorriente

Contracorriente (Undertow) is a film that follows Miguel as he sneaks around his small Peruvian fishing village to be with his secret lover Santiago. Without giving too much away, the film quickly takes a turn and weaves a coming out narrative into a story about ghosts and the rumor mill that is inevitable in small-town life

You can rent Contracorriente on Apple TV.

6. Todo Sobre Mi Madre (Spain 1999)

¡Penelope Cruz Alert! Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother) is a complex trans-positive story that was ahead of its time. The film follows Manuela as she travels from Madrid to Barcelona after the death of her son Esteban in search of Lola, her son’s biological father. Manuela reunites with her self-actualized and transitioned ex-lover as she learns about an entire new world of queer Spaniards.

You can watch Todo Sobre Mi Madre on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

7. Elisa y Marcela

This film is based on the true story of the first gay marriage in Spain. Taking place in 1901, the film follows Elisa and Marcela as they try to get their love solidified under the power of Holy Matrimony. While Elisa y Marcela hasn’t received the best reviews from critics, it is still an in depth look at some of the events surrounding the notorious marriage and provides a great way to practice your Spanish.

You can watch Elisa y Marcela on Netflix.

8. Bonus: Gun Hill Road

While this film isn’t in Spanish, it is a fantastic glimpse into Bronx Latinx life. The film follows Enrique as he adjusts back to life after prison and living with his trans daughter, Vanessa. Its storyline has been critiqued as being a touch cliche at times, but the film is praised for providing a slice of life on what it’s like to live in the Bronx, using Vanessa to shed light on the experiences of trans women of color. 

You can rent Gun Hill Road on Amazon Prime Video.

Some Spanish Vocab to Help You Talk About Movies

La película - Film

El cine - Movie theater (Also “film” informally in the US)

El argumento - Plot

El personaje - Character

El escenario - Setting

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Thanks for Reading!

Have any other LGBTQIA+ Spanish-Language films that you love? Comment their names below!

Thumbnail photo by Photo by Corina Rainer

Posesiones and the Importance of Pronouns

A look at Sebastián Lelio’s A Fantastic Woman

By JP Linguistics

Sebastían Lelio is a Chilean director known for directing films such as Gloria, Disobedience, and A Fantastic Woman. Each film is a carefully meticulous character study of the societal mistreatment towards women. In Sebastían Lelio’s A Fantastic Woman, the way one addresses another holds significant and lasting weight.

In Lelio’s work, there are always outsiders encroaching onto the female protagonists as they themselves are battling through internal conflicts. In A Fantastic Woman, Marina, played by Chilean trans actress Daniela Vega, is a talented singer who has reached the honeymoon stage in her relationship with Orlando. Nights dancing. Birthday dinners. Spontaneous road trips. Ultimate bliss. All this shifts when her lover, Orlando, who is significantly older, begins to feel sick in the middle of the night. As they rush to the hospital, it’s too late – He’s gone. However, Marina cannot mourn her partner’s loss, as her lover’s family decides that her presence is an offense to them.

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classic

For Marina, all she wants is to be at her lover’s funeral, but outside elements prevent it from being possible. In the hospital, as she is suffocating under the shock of losing Orlando, a police officer asks to see her I.D. Despite presenting herself as Marina, he insists that her card says otherwise. As he begins to question her, he uses gendered words towards her such as, ‘lo’ and ‘el.’ The doctor barely acknowledges her, and Orlando’s brother is scared to approach her. Lelio makes it a key point that any character that is in direct conflict with Marina undermines her by using the language as their weapon. 

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classic

Newly settled in at Orlando’s apartment, Marina is startled by an uninvited intrusion from Orlando’s son, Bruno. Bruno purposely calls her ‘Marisa’ as he barges in to claim both the apartment and Orlando’s dog, Diabla. As Marina tries to explain that Orlando gave Diabla to her, Bruno doesn’t attempt to correct himself. He spews hateful insults towards her and continues to call her ‘Marisa.’ Marina, played by Chilean trans actress Daniela Vega, stands her ground. Using language as her weapon, Marina claims her name and prepares to fight. She corrects him one last time as a slamming door is met to his face. Names and pronouns become the battleground in this film.

Recognizing the power of language, Marina comes prepared when she has to hand over Orlando’s car to his ex-wife, Sonia. Each time Marina addresses Sonia, she uses usted, a second person pronoun, as a sign of respect and formality. Sonia tells Marina to ‘drop’ the usted, in her attempt to make the conversation light. The conversation, however, is saturated with thick hatred as Sonia forbids her from attending Orlando’s funeral. 

Confronted in a cold office lobby, this scene creates a disturbing twist in the use of gendered language. The grammatical gender in Spanish has words that are either masculine or feminine. Many nouns endings in –a are treated as feminine, while words ending in –o are masculine. When conjugating, the grammatical gender la is associated as feminine, while el is masculine. For native speakers, it has always been second nature to conjugate according to someone’s gender identity. In the movie, Marina promises to be discreet at the funeral, but Sonia doesn’t care. As Sonia addresses Marina with feminine pronouns to explain to Marina that as a mother, she has to protect her children. She offends Marina further by promising to compensate her financially for all that she’s done. Marina doesn’t understand how she can prevent her from saying goodbye to someone she loved. This outrages Sonia and her language changes as she uses Marina’s dead-name to drive home the fact that Marina is not welcome at the funeral.  A dead-name is the name before she/he/they have transitioned. Marina, fazed yet strong, continues to address Sonia with usted. Even if Sonia can’t respect Marina, Marina will never stoop to her level.

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classic

Things proceed to get more complicated as Marina returns to Orlando’s apartment to find that Bruno has taken Diabla. His hateful words have turned into impermissible actions. Marina becomes outraged. The film spirals as Marina is wrongfully investigated by the police as she tries to find the whereabouts of both Diabla and Orlando’s funeral. Forget Sonia, it’s Bruno who becomes her ultimate tormentor as she seeks moments of solace in the arms of her sister or by the piano of her voice teacher’s apartment. For that’s one thing that’s been robbed from her – time to mourn her partner’s death. She still sees him everywhere she turns, waiting for her to say her final goodbye. 

Despite these heavy moments of sorrow, Lelio finds time to showcase Marina’s beauty. There are glorious glimpses of Marina dancing in a shimmering coat in a neon-lit club. Marina being pushed against a gust of wind as she falls forward, not backwards. Marina staring at her body with absolute love and adoration. And a final glimpse of Marina, on stage, using the thing that matters the most to her – her voice. 

Watch It For Yourself!

A Fantastic Woman is a great demonstration of how pronouns can be used and abused to greater extents than one may learn in a classroom. A Fantastic Woman can be purchased online across multiple streaming platforms.

The Must Try Staples of Puerto Rican Cuisine

by Besanya Santiago

Travelers around the world would agree that aside from the friendly locals and captivating landscapes, the cuisine is a reason in and of itself to travel to Latin America. Within each dish, you can truly taste the depth of flavor, passion and love that goes into it. Food isn’t just food. It’s an experience. It’s a story. It’s a way of life. We don’t eat to live. We live to eat. However, it’s important to understand that Latin American cuisine is very diverse. Although some countries do share similarities, each one has its own history and with that, its own distinctive cuisine. In Puerto Rico, this cuisine is called La Cocina Criolla.

La Cocina Criolla, which literally means “Creole Cooking,” is somewhat different than what one might expect. Most notably, it is not spicy. This is a major misconception about Puerto Rican cooking. Countless travelers arrive to the island expecting foods that are as spicy as in countries like Mexico and are consistently disappointed when this is not the case. That’s not to say that no one eats spicy food there. We all know there are exceptions to everything. But it’s simply not what Puerto Rico is known for. More often than not, when you ask for hot sauce in a restaurant, they will give you a bottle of pique. This a homemade sauce that to the average Mexican is, well, kind of a joke.

So what is Puerto Rican cuisine best known for? One word: FLAVOR. With its roots and cooking traditions from Spain, Africa and the native Taínos, the locals have managed to develop a cuisine so diverse and profound in flavor, it is impossible for you to leave the table without an immense smile on your face. And considering the enormous portion sizes, it may even be impossible for you to leave the table at all. But really, that’s kind of the goal. As we like to say, barriga llena, corazón contento. In other words, a full stomach is a joyful heart. And what better way to achieve this than to try out some of the top Puerto Rican staples?

Mofongo

You do not travel to Puerto Rico without trying mofongo. It is a dish made with fried green plantains mashed together with garlic, salt, olive oil and broth, which is then formed into a ball with meat and chicharrón (pork cracklings). Normally, it is served with pernil on the inside (slow-roasted pork) but can also be made with steak, shrimp, chicken, octopus and even vegetables. Although, if you’re a traveling to Puerto Rico to just eat vegetables…good luck.

Mofongo

Pasteles

Traditionally eaten around the holidays, pasteles have a resemblance to Mexican tamales but are completely different in taste and ingredients. The masa, or dough, is made from plantains, pumpkins, yautía or sometimes yuca. The meat inside is prepared as a stew that is generally pork based but other meats can also be used. All of this is wrapped up in a banana leaf, boiled and served with rice and beans. Please note: These are extremely labor intensive, which can make them difficult to find. If you see them on a menu, order them right then and there.

Tripleta

If you have problems getting out of your chair after eating Cuban sandwiches, you’ll want to be near a bed after eating a tripleta. This sandwich is serious. You’ve got beef. You’ve got chicken. You’ve got pork. You’ve got crispy potato sticks. All slathered in ketchup, mustard, mayo and gently held together by your choice of freshly baked pan sobao or pan de agua. I highly suggest sharing it with someone. But respect if you can finish one by yourself.

Tripleta

Lechón

Another holiday staple, this one can be found year round. It’s an entire suckling pig cooked over charcoal for several hours and rotated by hand on a spit. In addition to rice and beans, it is also typically served with mofongo, which is the ultimate way to experience this dish. Although not exclusive to Puerto Rico, they are masters of it. There’s even a specific place dedicated to it. Tucked away in the town of Guaváte, the lechón route is one of the best spots to enjoy the authentic flavors of this masterpiece. And don’t worry, there’s a Planet Fitness conveniently located in San Juan if calories are a concern.

Asopao

If chicken stew and paella had a baby, it would be named Asopao. This is the dish that always reminds us of home. With ingredients like sofrito, achiote, oregano, cilantro and garlic, this soup has all the essential, aromatic flavors of Puerto Rico. It’s also the ideal food to eat if you’re traveling on a budget. It’s super filling, incredibly flavorful and relatively inexpensive to make.

Asopao

Pinchos

Spanish for “Spikes,” Pinchos are Puerto Rico’s version of the kebab. This is the go-to street food that can usually be found in makeshift stands throughout the island. They are commonly prepared with marinated pork or chicken, onion and peppers, then grilled to perfection and topped with a piece of bread lightly brushed in garlicky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. And always, always, ask for an extra slice of bread when you order. Your endorphins will thank you later.

Tostones

Ahhh, plantains. Where would Puerto Rico be without you? I like to call tostones next-level plantains. They are generally served as a side dish but can also be an appetizer. Tostones are less sweet than maduros, their more popular cousin. Made with green plantains, they are fried, smashed and then fried AGAIN – because why not? The end product is a crispy, golden circle that will eventually replace your fork as you make your way through your plate of arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas). And don’t forget to try the garlic dipping sauce that accompanies them. We love our garlic.

Ensalada de Mariscos

A trip to an island is simply not complete without tasting the local seafood. Although the ensalada de mariscos, or seafood salad, looks a lot like ceviche, it is not the same dish. Everything on the plate is cooked prior to serving. The salad is made with octopus, conch and shrimp mixed with lemon juice, olive oil, white vinegar, olives, red onions and bell peppers. And if it is not served with tostones…..run. Seafood should always be accompanied with tostones. You may also just see ensalada de pulpo or ensalada de carrucho, since octopus and conch tend to be more popular.

More Resources

Want to learn more about Puerto Rican food or maybe even try some recipes yourself? Some great YouTube channels to check out are Jeff and Jo’s Puerto Rican Kitchen, Eat, Drink, Share, Puerto Rico and Sweets and Beyond. Puerto Ricans are experts in infusing joy into its culinary culture. They may not have their own “ultimate gastronomy destinations” episode on Netflix, but it doesn’t take a chef to appreciate the beautiful simplicity this cuisine has to offer. Whether you’re a tourist, a traveler, in town for business or an expat, this food will continuously make you feel like part of the Boricua family. So, grab a plate and make yourselves at home. Buen provecho!

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About the Author

Besanya Santiago is an actress, writer and musician based in New York City. She is best known for her work on the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, studying language and traveling the world.

Read more of her work at besanyasantiago.com.

Peru: A Great Place To Practice More Than Just Spanish

by Brian Alcamo

A trip to Peru is a chance to discover the wonders of the ancient Incas and take some time to hone your Spanish while doing it.

But what you might not realize is that a trip to the Andes is also a trip to a nation that takes pride in preserving its precolonial linguistic roots. Many Peruvians speak more than one language natively. 13% of Peruvians speak Quechua, which is an impressive feat when you consider the centuries of colonialism that have wiped out countless other indigenous languages (thanks a lot, Francisco Pizarro). The range of Peruvian Quechua speakers runs from 4 million fluent native speakers to 10 million “familiar” ones. You might already be a little familiar with Quechua yourself. Some English words derived from Quechua include condor, guano, jerky, puma, quinoa, quinine, and llama.

“Quechua” in its own language is runa simi, or “the people’s tongue.” It was made an official language in Peru in 1975, and is also spoken in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. It’s technically not one language, but the name of a language family. This distinction means that there are multiple types of Quechuas. This collection of almost 50 languages is typically divided into two types: Type I (Central) and Type 2 (Periphery). A breakdown of all of the types of Quechua can be found here.

The geographic distribution of the two Quechua types.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Spanish and Quechua is not always equal, with Quechua still falling victim to elitism found in Peru’s Spanish-speaking spheres. Quechua speakers are more likely to live in poverty, with 60% of Peru’s poor speaking the language at home. Although Quechua is now being taught in many schools, many of its own native speakers cannot read or write. This highlights a complicated educational and class division between those hoping to preserve and propagate the language, and those who already know how to speak it. Older Quechua speakers are also much more likely to be monolingual, which limits their access to much of Peruvian society.

There is hope for bridging this divide, with innovative education solutions coming for Quechua speakers. One such innovation is this talking robot, designed to speak Quechua and help continue the education of its younger native speakers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The robot, whose name is Kipi, is made from upcycled materials and hikes into the Andes to bridge a “digital divide” between Andean Peruvians and the residents of metropolitan Lima.

Outside of the Andes, Quechua’s cultural caché is on the upswing. Many people fighting for the language’s visibility and promotion in both public life and academic circles. If you decide to take a Quechua class at your local university, the course will most likely follow a curriculum based on Cusco’s dialect. While this is just one of the almost 50 varieties of Quechua to learn, it’s pretty cool to say that you study the language of the Inca civilization’s ancient capital.

How To Learn It

There aren’t too many online resources for learning Quechua. That being said, you can learn some basic Quechua on quechualanguage.com. You can also enroll in a local university course.

When you’re at a more advanced level, check out Rimasun. It’s a podcast produced by graduate students at NYU’s Center for Latin American Studies (CLACS) that interviews native Quechua-speaking New Yorkers. You can also watch clips from Peru’s Ñuqanchik broadcast to practice your listening skills and while listening to world events. 

Along with learning Spanish, a quick primer on Quechua will be a great way to enrich your journey. Whether or not you become 100% fluent, you’ll be able to better appreciate the foundations of a great South American country.

Thanks for Reading!

Are you thinking of supplementing your Spanish with a little bit of Quechua? Comment your thoughts below, and be sure to give this blog a heart.

(Thumbnail photo by Theo Topolevsky)

The Sky is Falling! How to Talk About Weather in Spanish.

by Brian Alcamo

Despite this post’s title, falling skies are fortunately not a real weather forecast. That being said, talking about the weather is something we all do so often. Be it part of your small-talk with a cashier, your small-talk with your neighbor, or your small-talk with an estranged relative, weather plays a crucial role in how we see and discuss the world around us. 

Weather shapes how we plan our days, weeks, months and years. It’s one of the first things we check on our phones to help us figure out how to spend our free time, and is a major factor in deciding when to take a much-needed quarantine walk. It’s also becoming a big source of discussion as climate change continues to accelerate, especially in the tropical Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America.

Missed our Instagram Live where we go over Describing the Weather in Spanish? No worries! Check it out on our IGTV with Isabel.

Photo by yue su on Unsplash

How to Talk About the Weather in Spanish

In Spanish, there are technically two words for weather: el clima and el tiempo. More formally, el clima means “climate,” but over time, its usage has shifted to include everyday weather. You may have learned to talk about the weather using the question “¿Que tiempo hace hoy?” Unfortunately, what the textbooks don’t tell you is that that sentence formation isn’t all that common among native Spanish speakers. So when would you use word el tiempo? Mostly in a longer phrase such as el pronóstico del tiempo or “weather forecast.”

More typically, you’re going to ask either ¿Cómo está el clima? (How’s the weather now?) or  ¿Cómo es el clima? (What’s the weather like in general?).

Here are some responses you may get to the question ¿Como está el clima?

• Está soleado / Está bonito (It’s sunny/It’s nice)

• Está haciendo (mucho) calor (It’s hot today)

• ¡Qué calor! ¡Qué solazo! (it’s so hot! The sun is too strong!)

• Está lloviendo / Va a llover (It’s raining/It’s going to rain)

• Está lloviznando (It’s drizzling)

• Está nublado (It’s overcast/cloudy)

  When someone asks you ¿Como es el clima? you can answer with one of these phrases:

• Es caliente. (It’s always hot)

• Es frío. (It’s always cold)

• Es templado (It’s always mild weather)

  Want to describe a weather phenomenon beyond the base terms like “sunny” and “rainy?” Here are a few words that can be used to describe what’s going on in the sky: 

• Escampar (V: rain that is diminishing in strength, rain that is scattering)

• Lloviznar (V: drizzling, lightly raining)

• Una tormenta (A storm)

• Relámpago (Lighting)

The Forecast (El Pronóstico)

via GIPHY

Weather not only influences how we discuss the present moment. It also helps us plan our future activities. When you want to discuss what the weather will be like in the future, you typically use the future tense. For example: está lloviendo changes to va a llover in conversations. You will sometimes hear the simple future used on the news (lloverá) since it’s a touch more formal.

Knowing el pronóstico helps you figure out what to wear. Here are a few words that will be ever-important depending on what Mother Nature is bringing your way:

• Impermeable (o poncho) (Raincoat)

• Botas de lluvia (Rainboots)

• Lentes o gafas de sol (Sunglasses)

• Protector solar (Sunscreen)

• Paraguas (Umbrella)

• Gorro de invierno (Winter hat)

• Botas de nieve (Snow boots)

Bonus Points: Idiomatic Expressions(Expresiones Idiomáticas)

There are many idiomatic expressions that have to do with the weather. “It’s raining cats and dogs?” they have a saying for that. It’s “un palo de agua.” This term is used most frequently in the countries of South America. Another word that means the same thing is is aguacero. 

Used in a sentence, the phrase functions as follows: Cayó un palo de agua o Cayó un aguacero  (It was pouring rain)

• A brainstorm? More like: “lluvia de ideas”

  “Si así llueve, que no escampe” (If it rains like this, don’t let it slow.)

  This phrase refers to a time of good luck and good things coming to one’s life and the hope that this lucky time won’t end.

“No hay nada nuevo bajo el sol” (There's nothing new under the sun.)

It refers to the idea that everything has already been said or invented.

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That’s It!

Learning to talk about the weather the right way is a key part of becoming fluent in Spanish. Being able to strike up a conversation about the weather is both a cliché and a necessity. The next time you’re asking about the weather in Spanish, make sure to abandon the textbook-style ¿Que tiempo hace? in favor of the more-native ¿Como está el clima? You’ll be sure to impress your conversation partner.

If you’re looking to read up on climate change news in Spanish, check out http://calentamientoglobal.org/.

Be sure to give this post a “heart,” share with your friends, and discuss your favorite type of weather down in the comments below! ¡Hasta pronto!

(Thumbnail photo by Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash)

The Puerto Rican Dialect: An essential guide to sounding like a Boricua

by Besanya Santiago

Ahhh, Puerto Rico. La Isla del Encanto. The quintessential getaway for any person seeking an enchanting paradise to escape from their day-to-day routine. An island where, even when it’s raining, the sun still radiates through the smiles of its local people. The warmth is palpable in the way the island embraces you the moment you set foot onto it. In every woman, you will find your abuela, your mami, your hermana and titi. And as a Spanish learner, this is the perfect place to arrive, listen to the local language and say to yourself: WHAT THE HELL DID SHE JUST SAY?

Yeeeaaa, I know. Latinos usually agree that the Spanish from Puerto Rico is one of the most challenging dialects to understand. Some time ago, I met a woman from Argentina who said to me: “When Puerto Ricans speak Spanish, they sound like they’re rapping a Reggaeton song during the entire conversation.” She’s not wrong. We speak insanely fast and use slang in every other sentence. Additionally, there are certain words that are more or less the same in other countries but drastically different in Puerto Rico.

Ay dios mio…

Puerto Rico was originally named Borikén, a Taíno word translated as “land of the brave people.” The Taínos are an indigenous people who have lived on the island since prior to Spain’s colonization. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, it was renamed to Puerto Rico, meaning “rich port”. This was due to its abundance of natural resources in addition to having generous amounts of gold nuggets in its rivers. Today, Puerto Ricans refer to themselves as Boricuas in order to illustrate recognition of their Taíno heritage. The dialect is a mix of the Taíno, Spanish and English language with African pronunciations, making it truly distinctive. Locals will be tremendously impressed if you manage to include some Puerto Rican slang into your Spanish. Lets explore this dialect further and get you sounding like a true Boricua.

Nuestro acento

It’s important to mention that accents always vary by region. These language tendencies will not apply to everyone. Some may not use any of them. However, these are the most recognizable characteristics of the Puerto Rican dialect. I just wanted to make that clear to avoid getting bulldozed by a fellow compatriot: “OYE PERO YO NO HABLO ASI!!!!! “

Love you, mi gente. Vamos allá.

The letter “R”

We’re constantly made fun of for this one. We roll our R’s only sometimes. More often than not, the R is pronounced as an L. Puerta is Puelta. Porque is Polque. Verde is Velde. However, this is not the case if the R is at the beginning of a word. Puerto Rico would be pronounced Puelto Rico. In certain regions, the R is never rolled. Instead the guttural R is used, which sounds identical to the R in French.

The letter “D”

Almost non-existent in word endings. We don’t say cerrado. We say cerrao. Pegado is pegao. However, if there is another D in the same word, it is still pronounced. Confundido would be confundio.

The letter “S”

Frankly, I don’t even know why we include this one in our alphabet. Again, almost non-existent and sounds like an H. Cómo estás turns into cómo ehtah. Pescar is Pehcal (don’t forget to make that R an L!) and mezclar is mehclal. The letter Z functions exactly like the S.

Word endings

These tend to be chopped off. The word para is actually pa. Therefore, para nada becomes pa’ na’ and para que becomes pa’ que. It also occurs in feminine words that would ordinarily drop the letter D. For instance, cerrado becomes cerrao but when speaking about a feminine object, it then becomes cerra. So now you can say: La puelta ehta cerra.

Nuestro Dialecto

Slang words are used quite often in Puerto Rico. Try to incorporate some of these fun expressions into your everyday Spanish to truly immerse yourself in the dialect.

“Ay Bendito!”
You cannot leave Puerto Rico without hearing this one. It’s used to express pity, shock, anger and sometimes even sarcasm. Similar to the expression “oh my gosh.”

Example: Ay bendito, pero que te pasó? / Oh my goodness, what happened to you?

“Janguear”
One of the most well-known examples of Spanglish meaning “to hang out.”

Example: Vamos a janguear esta noche? / Are we hanging out tonight?

“Wepa”
This is as Boricua as it gets. You don’t say it. You yell it. It demonstrates pride and joy, particularly in situations where people are feeling patriotic. Which for us is ALL. THE. TIME.

Example: Ricky renunció!!! Weeeeeeeeepaaaaaaaaa!!!!!! / Ricky (Rosselló) quit! YAAAASSSSSS!!!!

“Revolú”
Used to describe loud commotions and disorder. An absolute racket.

Example: Oístes el revolú que hubo anoche? / Did you hear that racket last night?

“Brutal”
A compliment used to describe something that is beyond incredible. It has the same strength as the word “brutal” in English but for something good. And there’s a lot of intensity behind it when spoken.

Example: Nena, el pelo te quedó brutal! / Girl, your hair turned out incredible!

“Pichear”
To forget or ignore something in the maximum way possible. “Ghosting” is probably the most accurate description.

Example: Antes tu me pichabas, ahora yo picheo…. #badbunnyforever / Before you ignored me, now I ignore you…

“Al garete”
Something that is disorganized, out of control or a complete mess. In a more literal sense, it means “without a given path.”

Example: No pongas las manzanas así al garete. / Don’t place the apples like that, all disorganized.

“Bochiche”
Gossip. A person who gossips constantly is called a Bochinchero(a).

Example: Esa madre tuya es una bochinchera. / Your mother is such a gossip.

“Fó”
There is no translation for this. It’s what you say when you smell something awful or see someone doing something gross. Usually preceded by an ay.

Example: Ay, fó! Limpiáte esos pies que apestan! / Ew! Clean your feet, they stink!

“Corillo”
A large group of people or friends. Simply put: your people.

Example: Dile al corillo que vamos pa’ la playa! / Tell the crew we’re going to the beach!

“Pana”
A very close friend. Someone who is a partner-in-crime and you trust completely. Not to be confused with the delicious breadfruit in Puerto Rico also called Pana (even though I would trust that Pana with my life, too.)

Example: Manuel, mi pana, como estamos? / Manuel, my friend, how we doing?

“Perreo / Perrear”

The Boricua way to dance and party. And party hard. And usually to Reggaeton music.

Example: Prepárate que esta noche nos vamos de perreo! / Get ready, tonight we’re gonna party it up!

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Now it’s your turn!

Try them out! And don’t worry if you can’t make it all the way to Puerto Rico. We are everywhere and are especially known for being warm, social beings. So, grab your corillo and head to the nearest discoteca for a long night of perreo. Order some piña coladas and engage is some real life Puerto Rican bochinche. By the end of the night, you’re sure to be officially recognized as a Boricua de corazón. WEPA!

About the Author

Besanya Santiago Ayala (IG: @besanyasantiago) is an actress, world traveler and writer based in New York City. She is best known for her work on the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. As a multilinguist, she enjoys helping others achieve an extensive understanding of language and culture. Originally from Puerto Rico, her aim is to bring an authentic perspective about Caribbean life to people from all over the world. Check out her website, www.besanyasantiago.com.

Thumbnail photo by Ernesto Tapia on Unsplash.

Spanish Support For Alexa

Spanish Support For Alexa

Amazon , one of the world’s biggest providers of products has announced it is beta testing a Spanish language Alexa experience for residents in the United States. The program will allow Amazon to incorporate a better understanding of word choice and local humor as it has done with prior language launches in other regions. 

Manufacturers who want to build “Alexa Built-in” products for Spanish-speaking customers can also now request early access to a related Alexa Voice Services (AVS) developer preview with Bose, Facebook and Sony already on board. Developers have also been able to create skills in English in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and India; as well as in German, Japanese, French (in France and in Canada), and Portuguese (in Brazil). 

Last summer, Google Home released user support for Spanish, in addition to launching the device in Spain and Mexico which has given them the upper hand in the “smart home assistant” market. Amazon also trails Apple in terms of support for Spanish in the U.S., as Apple added support for Spanish to their offering in the market, the HomePod, in the U.S., Spain and Mexico in September 2018 which comes a bit as a surprise since Spanish is a widely spoken language in the U.S. with 53 million speakers. 

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We hope you enjoyed learning about how Amazon is developing Spanish Support For Alexa! Looking forward to communicating with your Alexa device in Spanish? Our culturally immersive group classes will have you communicating with the newest version of Alexa in no time! Click below to learn more.