Spanish is really the only language that I've ever tried to learn. I suppose that I learned a little bit of German over the years, and a passable amount of Lugandan considering how many people around me could speak English, but Spanish is the language that has been with me for more than a decade. And I'm finally becoming pretty decent at it.
I am still far from fluent, but I have gotten to the point that I can understand, more or less, more than 90% of what is said to me. More importantly, I can joke around with people and figure out what's supposed to be funny when people are joking around with me.
And I can finally appreciate what a fun and beautiful language that it is. I find myself so intrigued and entertained by the way different words translate, the phrases that I have learned, and the rhythm of speaking in a tongue that flows much more smoothly than the one I grew up with.
Here's a little Spanish lesson for you.
Try this one: "taco de ojo," (ta-ko deh o-ho)which, translated literally, means "eye taco." In the U.S. we would use the expression "eye candy." An "eye taco." I love it.
ex: Who him? Nah, no brains, he's just an eye taco.
Or how about my new favorite verb, "enchilarse?" Enchilarse means, literally, "to chile one's self."
ex: Waiter, please bring me some hot sauce, I'd like to chili myself.
It's a very intimate language as well. For example, if you want to say "my son" in Spanish the exact translation is "mi hijo," (me e-ho) but the version that everyone uses in Agua Prieta is the shortened "mijo" (me-ho). My favorite part is that it can be used for people who are not your children. Lots of people call me mijo, and I call lots of little kids mijo/mija.
ex: Did you hurt yourself mijo?
My favorite linguistic moments in Spanish usually have to do with God, though. Take the word pastor for example. In Spanish, "pastor" (paz-stor) is exactly the same as it is in English(albeit with a different pronunciation), but unlike in English its literal meaning is "shepard." So Pastor Glenn is literally Shepard Glenn. I think that's so cool.
Another really great one is the verb "amor." In English, love gets used for everything (my car, my sister, my vacation), but in Spanish "amor" is only possible between people or with God.
And then there is the concept of Grace. In Spanish, asking God to forgive you means saying "perdoname," literally, pardon me. Think about what we use pardon for in English. And the word for mercy, "misericordia," literally has the root of the word misery in it. Perfect.
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5 comments:
dulce = candy
taco isnt candy...
It is good to read about Spanish that can only be learned out of the classroom.
hey A! i finally figured this out. i liked your spanish lesson. i think a language really reflects the values of a culture. In Thai, which is so status driven, you change your pronouns (for yourself and others) based on who you're talking to. There are like 8 different pronouns for "I/me" or something like that based on the status of your conversation partner. anyway, have a great day!
Enchilarme por favor. Maybe with tons of chicken and cream for breakfast. Yeah, that sounds nice.
"Pastor" also means shepherd in English, though it's not as common a usage--think of the word "pastoral". "Pardon" is also used to mean "forgive" in situations both trivial ("pardon me, you're stepping on my shoelace") and grave (presidential pardon). And there are plenty of people in the United States who will call you "son," including my dad. Guess we're not so different after all. In case you were wondering, I look in on your blog from time to time. Hope all's well! --Kat
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