Author: Constanza Jeldres

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The language today

AI and Spanish spelling and grammar correction

Suppose you have had to write content, whether a formal email or an academic or work document. In that case, you will know that it is essential to provide clear and valuable information and write it without spelling and grammatical errors because the information will be received incorrectly if that happens. Its content will be of poor quality.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous aspects of daily life, and one field in which it has shown a notable impact is spelling and grammar correction. These technologies, driven by sophisticated machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) algorithms, have become essential tools for professionals, students, and writers alike, improving the accuracy and consistency of texts in Spanish. Let’s look at the main advantages of AI in spelling and grammar correction below.

Fast and Accurate Error Detection

One of the most apparent advantages of AI-based proofreading systems is their speed and accuracy in detecting spelling and grammatical errors. Traditional proofreading tools, such as dictionaries built into word processors, are limited to flagging basic spelling errors. However, AI models go further, detecting complex grammatical errors, such as incorrect use of verb tenses, gender and number agreement, improper punctuation, and syntactical errors.

For example, iScribo, our AI-based grammar proofreading tool, can identify poorly structured sentences or misused prepositions, which traditional proofreaders cannot do as effectively. Automating much of the editing process makes it easier to proofread more accurately and saves the user time.

Continuous Improvement Through Machine Learning

Another critical advantage of AI-based tools is that they are designed to learn and improve over time. As the tools are used and exposed to more data, their algorithms become more accurate and efficient. This means that a proofreading tool can better adapt to the complexities of the Spanish language, such as its regionalisms, dialect variations, and changes in spelling rules.

Machine learning allows these technologies to continually improve at identifying contextual errors. For example, if a word is spelt correctly but used incorrectly in a sentence, iScribo’s AI can point out that contextual error. This level of understanding and correction is beneficial for those who write in Spanish, a language rich in grammatical and lexical nuances.

Multilingual Assistance and Efficient Translation

AI-based proofreading tools offer a significant advantage for those who write in multiple languages ​​or are learning Spanish. They correct spelling and grammar mistakes, provide translation suggestions, and correct usage of idiomatic expressions. This is especially useful in today’s globalised world, where communicating effectively in multiple languages ​​is essential.

Additionally, these tools allow users to detect and correct common errors that often appear when translating from one language to another. For example, an AI system can automatically identify and correct inappropriate use of false friends or syntactical calques, helping to improve the overall quality of the text. This convenience can ease your writing process, knowing that these tools are there to assist you.

Better Adaptation to the User’s Style

Artificial intelligence can also learn and adapt to the user’s writing style, offering suggestions that respect the author’s tone and intent. This is especially valuable for professionals who must maintain a consistent and distinctive voice in their writing. For example, a journalist, lawyer, or academic can benefit from an AI proofreader who helps them maintain a formal and precise style. At the same time, a copywriter can use the tool to ensure that their writing is engaging and persuasive.

Language processing models that understand not only the grammar rules but also the context, purpose, and desired style of the text make this level of personalisation possible.

Accessibility and Timesaving

Another advantage of AI-based grammar and spelling checkers is their availability and accessibility. These tools are often integrated into popular writing platforms such as word processors, mobile apps, and online services, allowing users to access them anywhere and anytime. This is especially useful for professionals who need to edit documents quickly or for students working on essays or projects at the last minute.

The time savings are considerable, as AI automatically makes the corrections, saving the user from manually searching for each error. In addition, many of these tools explain the errors detected, which can help the user improve their understanding of Spanish grammar and spelling in the long run.

Reducing Human Bias in Proofreading

When proofreading texts manually, human proofreaders can make mistakes due to fatigue, haste, or unconscious bias. AI-based automatic proofreaders, on the other hand, ensure a more objective and consistent review. This is particularly useful in professional environments where accuracy and impartiality are essential.

Artificial intelligence has revolutionised the field of Spanish spelling and grammar proofreading, providing tools that detect errors quickly and accurately, improve over time, adapt to the user’s style, and offer greater accessibility. These technologies are helpful for professional students and anyone who wants to improve the quality of their Spanish writing. By integrating AI into the writing process, users can ensure more precise, coherent, and professionally presented texts while reducing the time and effort invested in manual proofreading. These are all significant advantages you can access using our iScribo platform.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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The language today

Chilean Spanish and its peculiarities

Have you ever been to Chile? Maybe not, but have you heard that in Chile, it seems like no one speaks Spanish because no one who speaks Spanish appears to understand them? Chilean Spanish is one of the most unique language varieties, standing out for its unique pronunciation, vocabulary, and idioms. Although it shares a joint base with the Spanish spoken in other Latin American countries and Spain, the Chilean variant has developed unique characteristics influenced by historical, geographical, and sociocultural factors. In this article, we will explore the main peculiarities of Chilean Spanish, from its distinctive intonation to its most popular colloquial expressions.

Pronunciation and Phonetics

One of the most notable aspects of Chilean Spanish is its pronunciation, which can challenge non-native speakers. Chileans speak quickly and often drop or soften certain consonants, especially at the end of words. A classic example is the disappearance of the “s” at the end of syllables or words, a phenomenon known as aspiration or elision of the “s.” Thus, “más o menos” can sound like “má o meno.” This trait affects comprehension for speakers of other Spanish varieties and contributes to Chilean Spanish’s musicality.

In addition, the Chilean accent is known for its rising intonation at the end of sentences, which gives the impression that sentences end in a question, even when they do not.

Vocabulary and Lexicon

Chilean Spanish has a vibrant and varied vocabulary, with many words and expressions not found in other Spanish variants. These words may be of Indigenous origin, adaptations of English words, or simply local inventions. For example, “pololo” and “polola” are colloquial terms for a boyfriend or girlfriend, respectively, a word not used in other Spanish-speaking countries.

Chileanisms, the words native to Chilean Spanish, are not just a part of the language but a part of daily life. Words like ‘fome’ (boring), ‘cachai’ (do you understand?), ‘al tiro’ (immediately), and ‘luca’ (a thousand pesos) are used in everyday conversations, reflecting the language’s creativity and adaptability in Chile.

Talking to Animals: Idioms and Colloquial Expressions

Using idioms and colloquial expressions is another distinctive feature of Chilean Spanish. Due to their symbolic meaning or specific context, many of these expressions are incomprehensible to Spanish speakers from other countries. “Pasarlo chancho” is an expression that means “to have a lot of fun,” whereas “chancho” literally means “pig.” These expressions highlight how Chilean Spanish uses humour and metaphor in daily communication. “Quedar o andar pato” means to be without money, and “chicotear los caracoles” means to rush someone to do something.

The verb “cachar” is extremely common and versatile in Chile, used as a synonym for understanding, grasping, or realising something. “Cachai” is a way of asking, “Do you understand?” and its use is so widespread that it has become a linguistic marker of Chilean Spanish. In addition, polite phrases and exclamations such as “po” (derived from “pues”) are characteristic of Chilean Spanish, added at the end of sentences to emphasise or soften the tone of the conversation. For example, when saying “sí, po.”

Historical and Cultural Influences

 The particularities of Chilean Spanish did not emerge out of nowhere. The country’s history and cultural influences have played a key role in shaping the language. The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors brought the language to Chilean territory, but the interaction with Indigenous languages, especially Mapudungún, left an indelible mark on the lexicon and phonetics. Words such as “kultrún” (ceremonial drum) and “guata” (belly) have Mapuche roots and are examples of this influence.

Furthermore, Chile’s geography, with its elongated, narrow shape nestled between the Andes Mountains range and the Pacific Ocean, has fostered a profound sense of cultural and linguistic identity distinctly reflected in the language. This relative geographic isolation has allowed Chilean Spanish to evolve uniquely, distinct from other Spanish-American dialects, and this is something to be appreciated.

Like all languages ​​and dialects, Chilean Spanish continues to evolve. Globalisation, migration, and access to international media are introducing new words and idioms, while some traditional terms may be falling into disuse. Nevertheless, the distinctive features of Chilean Spanish remain strong and are likely to continue to evolve and adapt, reflecting the dynamic Chilean society.

Chilean Spanish is not just a variety; it’s a rich and unique contribution to the Spanish language. Its phonetic, linguistic, and idiom features add colour and diversity to the Spanish-speaking world’s linguistic landscape, reflecting the Chilean people’s cultural and historical identity and enriching the global Spanish community.

Another distinctive feature of Chilean Spanish is the modern urban conjugation of the second person singular; thus, instead of saying ¿qué edad tienes? (How old are you?) one would informally ask ¿qué edad tenís? and instead of asking ¿cómo estás? (How are you?) one would ask ¿cómo estái?

With its fast rhythm, unique words, and melodic intonation, Chilean Spanish is a dynamic example of how a language can adapt and flourish in different cultural contexts.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Improving language Writing in Spanish

Let’s play Scrabble! The most common letters and words in Spanish

Have you ever played Scrabble? Scrabble is a crossword game in which players form words using letter tiles and a board divided into squares. Some letters and words in Spanish are more common and can be strategic to maximize your score. So, let’s explore how to use these frequent letters and words to play Scrabble in Spanish effectively.

Most common letters

In the Spanish language, the most common letters are the vowels “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u”, along with the consonants “s”, “r”, “n”, “l”, and “d”. These letters appear frequently in the game and are worth one point, which may seem low, but their abundance makes it easier to create words. Within the vowels, the most common letter in Spanish is undoubtedly the letter “e”, followed by the letter “a”. The third most common letter is also a vowel and is the letter “o”. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the letters that appear less frequently in the Spanish vocabulary are the letters “x”, “k”, and “w”. The letter “w” was the last to be added to the Spanish alphabet, only incorporated in 1969 as a loan from the English and German languages. Although it may seem strange, the most representative letter of Spanish, “ñ”, is also one of the least used letters.

Now that we’ve explored the most common letters in the Spanish language, let’s turn our attention to the most common words. This will help us understand which words we can form most easily when playing Scrabble.

Most common words

Two- and three-letter words are precious in Scrabble because they allow you to use limited spaces and connect with other words already on the board. Some of the most common two-letter words in Spanish are “un”, “la”, “el”, “en”, “es”, “al”, “lo”, “de”, “me” and “se”. These words are handy for quickly scoring points and strategically opening or blocking the board. If you don’t have many options or are already at the end of the game, using these monosyllables is always a good idea, so save this as a game strategy 😉.

Additionally, three-letter words like “una,” “los,” “con,” “del,” “las,” “par,” “por,” “más,” and “dos” are essential to mastering the game, as they allow you to score additional points by crossing over with other words or by being placed in double or triple word boxes. “Vida,” “país,” and “años” are also widespread words in Spanish that will allow you to score several points (especially the word “años”) if you manage to put them together.

Strategies based on common letters and words

An effective strategy is to try to form words with the most common letters and keep some valuable vowels and consonants in your reserve. Vowels, in particular, are crucial for connecting words, while consonants such as “s” and “r” can create plurals or verb forms extending words already played.

For example, if you have the word “casa” on the board, adding an “s” to form “casas” allows you to score points for the new word created. Also, if this extension crosses another word or is placed in a double or triple scoring box, the score can increase significantly 😃.

In short, knowing and taking advantage of Spanish’s most familiar letters and words gives you a significant advantage in Scrabble. With a good strategy, using short words and frequent letters, controlling the board and accumulating points effectively is possible, ensuring success in this challenging and fun word game. So go ahead and practice Spanish through the game and let us know how it goes! Good luck!

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The language today

Japanese words we use in Spanish

If you enjoy anime and manga, you are much more aware of Japan’s influence on the Western world. The cultural and linguistic exchange between Japan and the West has left such a notable mark on the Spanish language that this language has adopted several words of Japanese origin. So much so that according to a recent count by the Fundación del Español Urgente (Fundeu), the Diccionario de la Lengua Española of the Real Academia Española (RAE) has 59 words of Japanese origin. These words have reached Spanish through different channels, whether due to the popularity of Japanese culture, trade, or globalization. Although the influence of Japanese on Spanish is much less than that of English or French on Spanish, it is still attractive to focus on which words our language has adopted from this culturally distant culture.

So, in today’s article, we will explore some of the most common Japanese words used in Spanish and their acquired meaning in this language.

1. Biombo

The term “biombo” refers to a folding panel used to divide spaces or as decoration. It comes from the Japanese “byōbu”, which means “wind protection” (“byō” = wind, “bu” = protection). In Japan, these panels were used indoors and outdoors and often decorated with traditional art. In Spanish, the screen has maintained this function and remains a popular element in interior decoration.

2. Emoji 🥰

The word “emoji” is already a universal term in digital language. Emoji originally comes from the Japanese “e” (picture) and “moji” (character). Emojis are small images or icons that express emotions, objects, or ideas in text messages and social media. They have revolutionized modern written communication, allowing users to convey feelings and tones more clearly and directly.

3. Karaoke

“Karaoke” is another Japanese word fully integrated into the Spanish vocabulary. It comes from “kara” (empty) and “oke” (short for “orchestra”), referring to an “empty orchestra.” This term describes the activity of singing popular songs accompanied by a pre-recorded instrumental track, usually in a social setting. Since its invention in Japan in the 1970s, karaoke has gained worldwide popularity and has become a widely practiced leisure activity.

4. Futón

The word “futon” refers to a thin, flexible mattress that can be easily folded and stored. It is traditionally used in Japan as a bed. In Spanish, “futon” refers to the mattress and a type of sofa bed. Its practical, minimalist design has led to its adoption in many Western homes.

5. Tsunami

The word ‘Tsunami ‘, of Japanese origin, has transcended borders and languages, with its adoption worldwide, including in Spanish. It eloquently describes the terrifying force of a large ocean wave, often caused by earthquakes or underwater volcanic eruptions.

Oriental martial arts have also incorporated many Japaneseisms, such as ninja, samurai, judo, sumo, karate, and aikido, to name a few. Also, gastronomy with sushi, sake, Ajinomoto (condiment), surimi (a paste made from white fish meat), tempura (fried vegetables or fish coated in flour), or tofu. Then there are the terms related to clothing and traditions, such as kimono, geisha, bonsai, and origami.

As you can see, Spanish has enriched its vocabulary with words of Japanese origin, reflecting the influence of Japanese culture in the modern world. These terms connect us to Japan and show how languages ​​and cultures can intertwine and evolve. As globalisation continues, more Japanese words will likely be integrated into Spanish, further expanding its rich and diverse lexicon.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you are looking to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, remember to subscribe to our wonderful grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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The language today

New words in the Spanish language dictionary

Language is constantly evolving. Today, we will review the new additions that the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language (RAE) incorporated in 2024. We await the significant modification planned for 2026, the tremendous twenty-fourth edition of the Dictionary of the Spanish Language (DLE). Meanwhile, this year’s additions total 4,381, although most correspond to subtle tweaks to words already included in dictionaries from previous years.

The most interesting part is the new additions, which total 90 words this year. These latest additions include: alien, antisionismo, bestializar, chundachunda, criptonita, ecofeminismo, enchufable, ficcionalizar, georradar, grisín, lambada, liberalista, machirulo motonieve, oscarizar, perreo, pixelar, posturear, previsional, reintroducir, retrogusto, sin hogarismo, sujetalibros, trampeo and videoarbitraje. 

There is also an abundance of foreign words (not just Anglicisms), such as aquaplaning, au pair, balconing, banner, big data, bobsleigh, boccia, bulldog, cookie, feng shui, grooming, laudatio, macguffin, parkour, post-it, sexting.

In addition to these foreign words, the new update of the Diccionario de la Lengua Española includes the incorporation of synonyms and antonyms, something that had never happened in the almost three hundred years since the publication of the first RAE dictionary. This new feature means that when looking up a word in the online dictionary, the definition appears, and next to the word, an icon that refers to synonyms and antonyms appears. Clicking on it breaks down the list of synonyms and antonyms available for that word, which was previously impossible to find in the dictionary.

As you can see, the new words are diverse. Let’s see, for example, what the word machirulo means. In the dictionary, there are two meanings:

  1. colloquial derogatory adjective. Said of a person, especially a man, who exhibits a sexist attitude. Also used as a noun: There were several machirulos at the meeting.
  2. colloquial derogatory adjective. Typical or characteristic of a machirulo. A very machirula.

Synonym: sexist, machista.

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Improving language Writing in Spanish

Tips for writing an essay in Spanish: a brief guide to success

Feeling lost in the daunting task of writing an academic essay or a research paper? Fear not; these guidelines are here to guide you through the process, ensuring your ideas are expressed with the utmost clarity and professionalism. With these tools at your disposal, you can confidently embark on your writing journey.

You must consider the structure; writing an academic essay differs from writing an email or conversation. Even if the conversation is about the topic you will discuss in your essay, they are in different formats, and you must be clear about the formalities you must consider in an academic essay. If you follow these steps, you will be assured of a high percentage of your success:

  1. So that you know – the first thing you need to consider is what you want to achieve with your text. Before writing any text (and this advice applies to any text, whether academic or not), you should consider the audience you are addressing and the objective you seek with your writing. Remember that your objective must be realistic and feasible. For example, your objective could be to communicate your research findings or to debate two historical and antagonistic political perspectives and show your point of view concerning the current context of your country.
  2. Make a writing outline: This is key. Don’t even think about starting to write without creating a writing outline. This will not only make your writing more accessible, but it will also help you organise your ideas and the bibliography you will work with, so the quality of your work will be strengthened from the ground up. Believe me.

Now, let’s see what that outline might look like. A simple and helpful way to start is by writing a basic structure that will allow you to understand your work well. (1) Start by writing a summary of about 100 words where you explain what your essay/research is about. (2) Write the title of your essay. You can change this later, but please remember that this is the first guide for your work. (3) State your thesis. For example, if I want to talk about childhood bilingualism, my thesis could be: In the past, childhood bilingualism was believed to be detrimental to children’s development. However, it has been proven that bilingual children have a more prosperous development in language and neural connections than monolingual children. In this case, I am showing my position in favour of bilingualism, and I am also implying that I have sources of information to support it and that I will show them in developing my work. (4) Write at least 2 or 3 main points, accompany them with supporting statements and consider relevant bibliography. This section is vital since it will correspond to the body of your essay in the future. These main points must include a statement (the main idea) and at least two or three supporting points. These will be sections and subtitles in the future within your essay. Continuing with the example of bilingualism, a main point could be traditional thinking regarding bilingual children: they have disadvantages in terms of cognitive development. My supporting points would be a) bilingual children have a lower IQ than a child who only speaks one language. b) The delay in speech skills in bilingual children. To develop this topic and the two subtopics I propose, I must be guided by the bibliography I have already designated for this section. (5) Write a conclusion paragraph of at least two lines. Remember that the conclusion is often the reformulation of the thesis.

This comprises a basic outline that will make your subsequent writing easier. Having written the summary and thesis of your essay will make the introduction much more straightforward; the main points will become the sections within the development, and the two lines of reformulation of the thesis were part of the advanced work that you began when writing your conclusion. All this work already requires bibliographic research, reading and organisation, but at the same time, it will help you organise your ideas very well.

  • Don’t fill your essay with quotes. Remember that you can paraphrase. But never forget to cite your references, or you will be plagiarizing, and we never, ever want to be accused of plagiarism—at least not if you are visiting a website looking for clues to learn how to do a really good job 😉.
  • Trust your work. You’re already doing well if you’ve made it this far and followed most of these suggestions. 😊
  • Review and send! Don’t obsess over perfection; it’s the enemy of good. Above all, don’t forget to enjoy your work.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Culture around Spanish language The language today

Inclusive language in Spanish

The United Nations defines inclusive language as “the way of expressing oneself orally and in writing without discriminating against a particular sex, social gender or gender identity and without perpetuating gender stereotypes.” Spanish has grammatical genders; therefore, to pluralise, one must choose one, and it does so with the masculine to integrate both genders.

Origins of inclusive language

The fact that pluralisation in Spanish is with the masculine grammatical gender has generated much debate. Thus, since the seventies, feminist movements began to propose linguistic reform for the Spanish language and the human language in general. This reform raised the need to generate a change towards a non-sexist, gender-neutral or inclusive language, which proposed different linguistic strategies that would avoid sexist prejudices or stereotypes when using language to refer to people of a particular sex, gender or sexual orientation. Thus, inclusive language in Spanish includes preventing the use of the generic masculine and accepting the feminine version of traditionally masculine nouns (for example, presidenta, jefa, gerenta, Médica, etc.).

Preferring terms such as ser humano (human being) instead of hombre (man) to refer to the human species, las personas (people) instead of hombres (men), and infantes (infants) instead of niños (children) to refer to these large groups correspond to strategies to make the language more inclusive and less sexist. Now, what happens when neutral or non-binary language is proposed? (that with words ending in the vowel e or the symbols x or @ to express gender indeterminacy and using the pronouns elle or elles).

Non-binary language seeks to encompass all those people who do not identify with the gender dichotomy traditionally established by society, that is, male and female. Non-binary language is therefore associated with the LGBTQIA+ community (this term is made up of the acronyms of the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, transvestite, queer, intersexual and asexual. At the end, the + symbol is usually added to include all groups not represented by the previous letters). Spanish researcher Isabel López, from the organisation 4Motion Systemic & People, points out that international studies estimate the number of non-binary people between 7% and 14% of the world’s population.

Furthermore, if we consider the existence of a third gender and the recognition of this within different cultures worldwide, we will realise that we are not facing a new situation. The graphic report Tercer género alrededor del mundo, by the authors Leandro Galdames, Gabriel Oyarzo, Michael Pando, and Paula Solar, records ten geographically very dispersed cultures where the understanding of gender goes beyond the separation between man and woman.

In Latin America, there are two cases: in Mexico, there are the Muxe people, who are assigned the male sex at birth, but who adopt feminine or mixed gender roles. In Chile, there is the Epu Pillan or Epu Püllü; these are expressions in Mapudungun, the language of the Mapuche people, which roughly translates as “two spirits” or “two souls.” They are used to refer to people within the Mapuche culture who have a gender identity that does not entirely fit the binary categories of man and woman.

Inclusive language versus gender-neutral language

Although feminism took a significant step in its fight against androcentric language, in the words of sociolinguist Ben Papadopoulos in his text A Brief History of Non-Binary Spanish (2022), “these language changes were limited by the traditional gender dichotomy based on sexual difference.” Therefore, the morpheme e – initially proposed in 1976 by Spanish engineer Álvaro García Meseguer – “was the solution to the problem of linguistic sexism.”

Inclusive language versus gender-neutral language

Although feminism took a significant step in its fight against androcentric language, in the words of sociolinguist Ben Papadopoulos in his text A Brief History of Non-Binary Spanish (2022), “these language changes were limited by the traditional gender dichotomy based on sexual difference.” Therefore, the morpheme e – initially proposed in 1976 by Spanish engineer Álvaro García Meseguer – “was the solution to the problem of linguistic sexism.”

Since then, neutral or non-binary language has become increasingly prominent. The use of the morpheme y implies substantial changes in the language, but the proposals for using morphemes such as x or @ are even more fundamental. This present great difficulty when reading or using them in spoken form. This is even more complex for people who suffer from visual or hearing disabilities or are elderly, who find it much more difficult to understand the language with these new variants. How does the technological assistant read the morpheme @, for example?

There is a growing societal awareness of gender diversity, and language is evolving to reflect this. The issue is how to balance the right to the legitimate assessment of a collective without overshadowing or displacing another human group.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you are looking to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, remember to subscribe to our wonderful grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Improving language

Ugh, ugh, it’s so hot! 14 summer sayings in Spanish

Proverbs come to mind because it is already summer in the northern hemisphere, along with the heat, the longer days, the holidays and the afternoons on the beach, so that vast repertoire of popular origins and unknown author sayings express a lesson moral or invite reflection. There are many Spanish proverbs on a wide range of topics, and today, we will review many of the Spanish proverbs linked to summer. Let’s see what the Spanish proverbs say about the hottest season of the year:

  1. El verano que más dura, buen invierno asegura. It is said that when summer is long, it announces an abundant winter.
  2. En julio, beber y sudar, y el fresco en balde buscar. It would be best to drink a lot of water in July and look for ways to cool off because it is the hottest time of year.
  3. Julio caliente, quema al más valiente. No matter how brave you are, you won’t be able to withstand the heat of July.
  4. Por mucho que quiera ser, en julio poco ha de llover. July is the driest month of the year.
  5. Si quieres vivir sano, madruga en verano.
  6. Verano que dura, otoño asegura.
  7. A invierno lluvioso, verano caluroso. If the winter has been freezing and there is a lot of rain, it means that the meteorological forecasts for this season have been met and that, in the same way, summer will arrive with the heat typical of the season.
  8. En julio y agosto se quema el rostro.
  9. Ramos mojados, verano mejorado. If it rains on Palm Sunday, summer weather will be nice.
  10. Una golondrina no hace verano.  A proverb that warns that a general rule or norm cannot be deduced from the confirmation of a single fact.
  11. Veraneando, se va el tiempo volando: Summer is possibly the season that goes by the fastest. One main reason is that it is the season when people usually take vacations.
  12. Abril tronado, viene buen verano: When there are many storms during April, a quiet summer is about to come.
  13. Llegadas las golondrinas, el verano encima: Swallows are looking for warmth. Therefore, the heat is approaching when they return from migration, and summer is upon us.
  14. Frío en invierno, calor en verano, esto es lo sano.

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History of Spanish language

Origins of seseo

One of the characteristics shared by the variants of Spanish spoken in America which differentiates it from the Spanish spoken in the Iberian Peninsula is the absence of the zeta /z/ sound. Although Spanish variants spoken on the American continent differ, they have one characteristic in common. In none of them is a distinction made between pronouncing the letters s, c and z. They are all pronounced as /s/.

Among the many characteristics of Spanish variants are those who distinguish the sounds of s, c, and z, those who lisp, and those who wish. Those who pronounce these three letters as a /z/ and those who pronounce them all as an /s/.

One of the key distinguishing features of Spanish variants is the pronunciation of the sounds of s, c, and z. Some pronounce these three letters as a /z/(ceceo), while others pronounce them as an /s/ (seseo). This contrast in pronunciation is a fascinating aspect of the linguistic diversity within the Spanish language.

In a scenario where 67% of the world’s population speaks Spanish (see Spanish dialects around the world), it is significant to highlight that – although seseo is strange in Spain – it is today the majority variant of Spanish since more than ninety per cent of those who speak it, they mean. Let’s see, then, where its origins go back.

Columbus and the Conquest of America

Some say that the sound of the zeta became extinct in America, but the truth is that it never embarked on the continent. When Christopher Columbus travelled to America in 1492, he accompanied a majority crew from Andalusia, especially from Seville. They pronounced (and still pronounce) all words that contain s, c, and z as /s/.

The Canary Islands were colonised almost simultaneously with the American continent, marking the beginning of a significant historical era. Christopher Columbus’s route in 1492 was pivotal: He departed from the Port of Palos in Huelva, heading to Gran Canaria. This journey established a commercial route that would link Seville, the Canary Islands, and America, playing a crucial role in shaping the history of these regions.

At the time of the conquest of America, in the south of Spain, the pronunciation of the zeta was related to the Muslims converted to Christianity from the Kingdom of Granada (Moors) and symbolised the lower class, making Seville opt for the seseo. In contrast, Granada, the last Muslim stronghold of the time, loses the /s/ sound and acquires the tendency to lisp excessively.

Therefore, the seseo of the Canary Islands and America can be traced back to Seville. As we mentioned, the crew that sailed with Columbus was predominantly from Andalusia, with over 37% of the crew members hailing from Seville. This geographical and historical connection was crucial in spreading the seseo to the new territories.

The spoken language was that of Seville, but the court marked the written language. In Castile, a distinction was made between the pronunciation of /s/ and /z/; therefore, the language was not simplified in terms of its writing. America varied in its pronunciation, but the spelling rules remained the same as those established by the Castilian crown.

And this is how we arrived at the current situation, where in the Canary Islands, the region of Andalusia, and throughout the American continent where Spanish is spoken, the use of ‘seseo’ is a testament to the rich diversity of Spanish pronunciation. In the rest of Spain, the distinction between/s/and/z/sounds is maintained, and in areas of southern Spain such as Málaga, Granada and Cádiz, ‘ceceo’ is prevalent, adding to the appreciation of the language’s variety.

In the 19th century, attempts were made to introduce the differentiating sound of /z/ in America. Still, modifying a phonetic habit passed down through generations for more than four centuries is tough.

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