Category: Culture around Spanish language

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Culture around Spanish language

New Year in Spain and Latin America: Grapes, Suitcases and a World of Traditions

…3, 2, 1, Happy New Year! In the Spanish-speaking world, the New Year is a festival of customs, rituals and superstitions that reveal the region’s cultural diversity. From Spanish grapes to suitcase rides in Latin America, the transition to January 1 is full of joy and touches of ingenuity. Each unique and charming tradition shows that the festive spirit knows no borders.

Spanish grapes: a classic that unites everyone

Seeing off the year without the famous twelve grapes is unthinkable in Spain. When the clock strikes midnight, millions of Spaniards gather grapes in hand at the Puerta del Sol in Madrid or in front of the television, ready to accompany each chime with a bite. This ritual, born at the end of the 19th century, symbolises good luck for each month of the coming year.

But beware, it is not as simple as it seems: you have to keep up with the clock, and between the nerves and the laughter, some end up with stuck or incomplete grapes. It is part of the charm! Added to this is the toast with cava and sometimes with a gold ring in the glass to ensure prosperity and fortune.

Many New Year’s traditions in Latin America are linked to desires for adventure and exploration. In Venezuela, Colombia and other countries, those who dream of travelling next year take a suitcase and go for a walk around the block at midnight. Some, like in Chile, even run to secure an international itinerary. This cute ritual is fun and reinforces the idea that dreams can come true if you push them. That’s why it’s not unusual to be with a family hugging each other and see someone running with an empty suitcase in the middle of the night.

The lucky colour

Red or yellow underwear? The answer varies by country, but in the region, it is believed that the colour of your underwear influences what you will attract in the new year. In Spain and Mexico, red is for love; in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia, yellow symbolises prosperity. Some people even wear new underwear as a sign of renewal, ensuring that everything they wear that night is an omen of positive things.

The Old Year: Fire to Close Cycles

In Ecuador and Colombia, one of the most symbolic traditions is the burning of the “Old Year.” This doll, made with old clothes and stuffed with paper or sawdust, represents the problematic or harmful moments of the year that are ending. The doll is set on fire at midnight, leaving the bad behind and making room for new opportunities.

In some cases, the “Old Year” includes masks representing public figures or controversial characters during the year. It is a mix of humour, catharsis, and ritual, perfect for starting over.

Flavours of a New Beginning

There is no party without food, and New Year is no exception. In Mexico, romeritos and cod are the stars; in Venezuela, ham and hallacas mark the festive table; and in Argentina and southern Chile, barbecue is the absolute king.

In Peru, in addition to the traditional turkey, panettone and hot chocolate are a must, while in Puerto Rico, roasting suckling pig and coquito (a delicious coconut liqueur) gives the final touch to the celebration. Food is a delight and a way to share and strengthen family and friendship ties.

A colourful sky

Nothing is more representative of a massive celebration than fireworks, and in countries like Guatemala and El Salvador, the sky is filled with lights and explosions of colour at midnight. In Chile and Argentina, families often gather in gardens or patios to enjoy the fireworks and the warm summer air. It’s a spectacular way to mark the beginning of a new chapter.

Superstitions and small magical gestures

Throughout the region, superstitions and rituals seek to attract good luck, health and love. In Mexico, some sweep the house outwards to eliminate bad energies. Meanwhile, baking bread in the shape of stairs in Bolivia promises promotions and prosperity.

No matter how small, every gesture is loaded with hope and faith that the new year will be better.

A mosaic of shared hopes

From grapes in Spain to suitcases in America, the New Year in the Hispanic world is a unique and diverse celebration with a common denominator: the desire to start over with joy, hope and unity.

Whether you burn a doll in Colombia or run with a suitcase in Chile, the important thing is to remember that every tradition, no matter how simple or extravagant it may seem, is a way of expressing confidence in a bright future. So, happy New Year! May 2025 be full of adventures, love and lots of toasts.

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Culture around Spanish language

Christmas in Latin America: between carols, posadas and Santa Claus

Christmas in Latin America is a mosaic of traditions, flavours, and celebrations that vary as much as the Spanish accents in the region. Although they all share the festive spirit, each country gives a unique touch to this magical season. From the colourful Mexican posadas to the Christmas “asados” in Argentina, Christmas in this corner of the world is an unforgettable experience full of diversity and human warmth.

Santa Claus, Father Christmas or Pascuero?

One of the great Christmas dilemmas in Latin America is what we call the chubby character who hands out presents. In Mexico, Central America and much of the Caribbean, it is more common to hear “Santa Claus”, adopted directly from the American model. However, in countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, the “Santa Claus” figure predominates, influenced by European traditions.

In Chile, the beloved “Viejito Pascuero” steals the show. This name, a mix of the traditional and the tender, reflects the affection with which Chileans have integrated him into their culture. Although the character is essentially the same, how he is named shows how cultures reinterpret global symbols to make them their own.

The road to Bethlehem: posadas and novenas

In Mexico and Guatemala, posadas are an essential ritual in the days before Christmas. These recreations of Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to Bethlehem combine songs, prayers, and piñatas filled with candy. The hosts open their doors, symbolising the spirit of hospitality that defines Christmas.

Christmas novenas take a more spiritual approach in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. For nine days, families gather to pray, sing Christmas carols and share traditional sweets. At these gatherings, there is no shortage of buñuelos, natillas or hallacas, demonstrating that faith and food always go hand in hand in Latin America.

Christmas tables: a diverse feast

If one thing unites the region, it is food, but each country has its interpretation of a Christmas dinner. In Argentina, Uruguay and southern Chile, the barbecue is the star of the evening, while in Peru, turkey accompanied by Russian salad and panettone is a must.

In Venezuela, hallacas (stuffed tamale) are the table’s centrepiece, accompanied by pork and ham bread. In Mexico, the menu may include cod a la vizcaína, romeritos and tamales. At the same time, in Puerto Rico, the star is roasted suckling pig, accompanied by rice with pigeon peas and coquito, a coconut liqueur-like punch.

Fireworks and outdoor traditions

In much of Latin America, Christmas is celebrated with warm temperatures, which invite people to take the festivities outdoors. Countries like Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil are expected to gather in patios and gardens to enjoy food under the stars.

F fireworks are central in countries like El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. At midnight on December 24, the skies light up with colourful explosions that mark the beginning of Christmas. In Chile, it is expected to see children playing in the street after midnight with the toys that Santa Claus has given them.

Days of togetherness and family celebration

Although the names and customs vary, the spirit of Christmas in Latin America is universal: it is a time for family, faith, and solidarity. Each tradition, from the most solemn to the most festive, reminds us that Christmas transcends borders. Some give a single gift; others want to surprise with many gifts. There are secret friends, office celebrations, and more austere celebrations.

So, whether you toast with coconut, eggnog or champagne or give gifts from Santa Claus, Father Christmas or Santa Claus, in Latin America, you will always find a unique and memorable way to experience the magic of Christmas. The important thing is to have the company of family or friends on that particular night.

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Culture around Spanish language

Why Spanish has two different words: yerno and nuera? Origin of these words

Spanish, full of curiosities and linguistic inheritances, also keeps secrets in words we use daily. Today, we focus on the peculiar case of yerno and nuera, the terms we use to refer to the husband or wife of our children. But why don’t we say nuero and yerna?

The etymological origin of yerno and nuera

The word yerno comes from the Latin gener, which is related to concepts of genealogy and lineage. In classical Latin, gener specifically designated the daughter’s husband, reflecting the importance of family roles in Roman society. The term evolved phonetically to gignere in Vulgar Latin and yerno in Spanish.

On the other hand, nuera comes from the Latin nurus, which means “son’s wife.” This word shared a root with terms related to care or upbringing, echoing the traditional roles assigned to women in ancient families. Thus, both words have Latin roots and well-defined roles from ancient times.

Why is there no such thing as yerna or nuero? The absence of terms like yerna and nuero can largely be explained by how languages ​​reflect historical social structures. Languages ​​often encode the roles with the most remarkable cultural relevance in their words. In ancient patriarchal societies, kinship relationships with the daughter’s husband (yerno, son-in-law) and the son’s wife (nuera, daughter-in-law) were the most important for maintaining lineage and family alliances.

In contrast, there was not as much need to define “mirror” categories like yerna or nuero because these relationships did not carry the same cultural or symbolic weight in those contexts. Language did not develop words that were not necessary for their social function.

In contrast, father-in-law and mother-in-law exist because both relationships – with the couple’s father and mother – were relevant in family structures. These words also come from Latin: socrus (suegra, mother-in-law) and socrer ( suegro, father-in-law), and they reinforce symmetry in ascending kinship relationships.

Language, like culture, adapts to what society needs to name. So, while we continue to use yerno and nuera, we remember that our words are a living testimony to the traditions and structures of our ancestors.

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Spain: the cradle of Spanish and a linguistic kaleidoscope

Spain, that great peninsula in the Mediterranean, is not only the birthplace of Spanish but also of a mosaic of languages ​​intertwined in its history and geography. Although Castilian is one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world today, its roots, along with those of other Iberian languages, are marked by conquests, cultures, and evolution.

Where was the Spanish born?

Contrary to what many might imagine, the Spanish did not emerge in a large city or a majestic setting but in a small town in the province of Burgos called San Millán de la Cogolla. With just 14 inhabitants today, this place witnessed the first attempts at the language that would conquer the world.

In the San Millán and Valpuesta monasteries, monks began recording texts in a Romance language that would evolve into Spanish. Among the oldest documents are the Cartularies of Valpuesta, which date back to the 9th century and contain familiar words, although wrapped in a primitive linguistic structure.

The jar of Iberian languages

Although Spanish became the predominant language of Spain and, later, of much of Latin America, it is not and was not the only language on the peninsula. Since ancient times, Spain has been home to a rich linguistic diversity that includes Catalan, Basque, Galician and, of course, the various variants of Aragonese and Astur-Leonese.

Catalan

Spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community (where its variant is called Valencian), Catalan has roots in Vulgar Latin but with influences that make it unique. In the 21st century, it remains a living and strong language, with a robust literary culture and speakers passionate about its preservation.

Euskera

Euskera (or Basque) is the true rebel of the group: it is not related to any other known language and is considered one of the oldest languages ​​in Europe. Although its origins are a mystery, its resilience is undeniable, as it survived Romanization and other linguistic influences that dominated the peninsula.

Galician

Galician is like Portuguese. It is spoken primarily in Galicia, where the language resonates with nostalgia for the vieiras and the sea. It was a literary language of great importance in the Middle Ages, and although it lost ground to Spanish, it has regained its vitality in recent decades.

From dialects to empires

Spanish began as one more variant among the Romance languages ​​of the peninsula. Its rise coincided with the growth of the Kingdom of Castile, which extended its influence both territorially and linguistically. During the 15th century, with the unification of the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon under the Catholic Monarchs and, later, the conquest of America, Castilian became a tool of communication and cultural domination.

The first step towards its consolidation as a standard language was the publication of Antonio de Nebrija’s first grammar of Spanish in 1492. He stated that a language is the companion of an empire, and Spanish indeed accompanied the Spanish empire in its global expansion.

Today, Spain remains an example of linguistic diversity. Co-official languages ​​such as Catalan, Galician and Basque coexist with Spanish, although not without political and social tensions. Each language ​​represents a way of speaking, an identity and a regional pride.

For example, the debate on the teaching and official use of co-official languages ​​is a recurring theme in the Spanish political landscape. While some defend linguistic homogenisation, others advocate the protection and active promotion of these minority languages.

Spain: a model of plurality

Beyond the tensions, Spain’s linguistic plurality is a treasure that enriches its culture. From Rosalía de Castro’s Galician poems to the Basque songs that resonate in the Basque Country, each language contributes to the cultural puzzle that defines Spain.

Ultimately, Spain is not only the birthplace of Spanish but also a living reminder that languages ​​reflect the history, resilience and creativity of the people who speak them. So, the next time you walk through San Millán de la Cogolla or listen to a song in Catalan, remember that you are witnessing the linguistic richness that makes Spain unique.

If you are interested in delving deeper into the history of Spanish and the languages ​​of Spain, you can explore sources such as the Instituto Cervantes and specialised historical studies.

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Say it here, not there: the multiple lives of a word in the Spanish of the world

With more than 500 million speakers worldwide, Spanish is a linguistic kaleidoscope where the same word can be transformed into a thousand meanings depending on the place. What in one country may be an everyday and harmless term, in another, may trigger laughter, confusion, or even an embarrassing situation. Let’s discover how the Spanish navigates these rivers of semantic and cultural diversity.

The art of misunderstanding

Imagine an Argentinean saying he needs a “pila” for his remote control and a Mexican saying he has many “pilas.” Although both people mention the same word, they talk about different things: in Argentina, “pila” is a battery, while in Mexico, it means energy or enthusiasm. This duality illustrates the phenomenon of contextual polysemy that characterises our language.

Another iconic example is the word “guagua.” In Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Canary Islands, it means a city bus, but in Chile, northern Argentina, and southern Peru, it is a term of endearment for a baby. Meanwhile, in Colombia or Ecuador, “guagua” refers exclusively to a small child. Thus, a small word can have different meanings depending on the cultural context.

If we talk about “tacos” everyone in Mexico will immediately think of food. In contrast, in Chile, someone can say, “I’ll be late because I’m stuck in a traffic jam”, and everyone knows they are talking about traffic congestion.

When food speaks

Gastronomy is also fertile ground for misunderstandings. In Mexico, a “torta” is a sandwich; however, it is a type of cake or pie in Spain. And what about “maní”? This delicious nut is known as “cacahuate” in Mexico, “cacahuete” in Spain, and simply “maní” in Argentina, Chile, and other South American countries. Travelling can become a linguistic adventure when the restaurant menu seems like a cultural riddle.

The traps of double meanings

Some words acquire humorous or unexpected connotations in certain countries. For example, “chucho” can refer to a dog in El Salvador, but in other places like Guatemala, it means “cold”, and in Spain, it can be a nickname for someone called Jesus. Similarly, “concha” is an innocent word that refers to a type of bread in Mexico. Still, in Chile, Argentina, and other countries in the Southern Cone, it can generate uncomfortable laughter due to its vulgar meaning. The same happens with “polla” (cock); in Chile, it is nothing more than a traditional lottery game, but in Spain, this word refers to the male organ for copulation. For this reason, it is traditional that if a Spaniard travels to Chile, he takes a photo in the building that says in large letters, “Chilean charity cock”. 😮😆

Spanish as a Cultural Mirror

These variations are not errors or obstacles but reflections of Spanish-speaking communities’ cultural and social richness. Each country has woven its history, traditions, and way of seeing the world into its language. For example, the use of “coger” in Spain is widespread and means “to take” or “to grab,” but in Mexico and other countries, it can have sexual connotations.

The Language Traveler

The key for those who travel the Spanish-speaking world is adaptation and curiosity. Knowing local variants can avoid misunderstandings and open doors to new friendships and experiences. Accepting linguistic differences with humour and willingness is part of the magic of being a Spanish speaker.

In short, Spanish is a language as rich and varied as the landscapes where it is spoken. Each word is an invitation to discover a meaning, a history and a culture behind it. So, the next time you use a word, remember: say it here, but maybe not there.

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Ten curiosities about Spanish

Spanish, the second most widely spoken language ​​in the world after Mandarin Chinese, is a rich and diverse language with unique features. If you’re not familiar with these peculiarities and curiosities, they are sure to surprise you. Keep reading to discover the fascinating world of Spanish.

Spanish is the official language of twenty-one countries spread across Europe, the American continent and Africa. Its extensive geographical area of ​​influence and diversity make this language’s richness evident. So, let’s look at ten curiosities about this beautiful language:

1. The letter ñ: It is par excellence, the distinctive symbol of Spanish since it is an exclusive letter to this language compared to other European languages. The sound derived from Latin is a fundamental part of its cultural identity.

2. Origin of Arabic words: During the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish incorporated many Arabic words into their lexicon. Terms such as almohada (pillow), azúcar (sugar), almuerzo (lunch), and albahaca (basil) come from Arabic, showcasing the profound influence and rich history of this culture on the Spanish language.

3. Spanish and Latin: as a Romance language, Spanish inherited a grammatical structure and vocabulary from Latin, although over time, variants developed in different countries, enriching the language.

4. Words without an exact translation: Spanish has unique words that are difficult to translate directly, such as sobremesa, which refers to the time spent together after a meal.

5. The subjunctive: The subjunctive is an exclusive verbal mode that allows you to express desires and doubts, something that surprises speakers of other languages ​​where this verbal form does not exist. Spanish is the only language that uses it, along with Portuguese. An example is in the second part of the saying, adonde fueres haz lo que vieres (wherever you go, do what you see.)

6. Diminutives and their richness: Dimitives (such as “—ito ” or “-illo”) are commonly used in Spanish to express affection, size, or to soften the tone, which is not so common in other languages.

7. Dialects and regional variations: The differences in vocabulary and pronunciation between Spanish-speaking countries are vast, and some words can have very different meanings from one region to another. We will talk about this in an article next month 😉

8. W is the letter that is used the least and has the most names: despite appearing the least frequently in the Spanish lexicon, it is the letter that has the most ways of being named; it is called “uve doble,” “doble uve,” “ve doble,” “doble ve,” and ” doble u.”

9. The difference between the verbs ser and estar: Spanish is one of the few languages ​​in the world with such a clear distinction between both verbs. Not even Latin, the language from which it originated, made this distinction. Learn more about this philosophical difference in the article we publish next week 😊.

10. Spanish is the second fastest to pronounce: The University of Lyon studied different languages ​​worldwide to determine which are pronounced the most rapidly. The result? Japanese is the fastest language in the world, followed by Spanish. The study showed that both languages ​​condense a smaller amount of information per syllable, unlike others, such as Vietnamese, for example, which is at the opposite end. This means that Spanish uses more words and longer grammatical constructions.

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Spanish in music: from flamenco to reggaeton

Do you remember the song Despacito, a hit by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee that became world-famous a few years ago? It sounded like this:

♫♬♪Despacito,

quiero respirar tu cuello despacito,
deja que te diga cosas al oído 
para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo. ♫♬♪

(Slowly
I want to breathe in your neck slowly.
Let me murmur things in your ear
So that you remember if you’re not with me)

In 2017, this song was heard in practically every country, including Europe, Asia, Latin America, and, of course, the United States. This began to change the dynamics of the global music market. The United States began to look to Latin America, and after years of being in the shadows in the musical field, the Spanish began to enjoy recognition worldwide. Today, it is the second most listened-to language in the musical world.

Music is one of the most universal forms of cultural expression. In the Spanish-speaking world, Spanish has been the vehicle for a vast diversity of musical genres that reflect each country’s cultural richness and linguistic evolution of the language. From flamenco to reggaeton and trap, through salsa and rock in Spanish, each genre tells a story, not only through its melodies but also with language. Today, we will explore how Spanish manifests itself in different musical genres and how it reflects the cultural and social aspects of Spanish-speaking communities.

Flamenco: the essence of Andalusia

Flamenco, originating in Andalusia, Spain, is much more than a musical genre: it is a comprehensive artistic expression that combines singing, dancing and guitar. This style reflects centuries of multicultural influences, from gypsy music to Arabic and Jewish sounds. In flamenco, Spanish is intertwined with cante jondo, a deep and emotional style of singing that tells stories of suffering, love and everyday life. Flamenco lyrics are loaded with local expressions, Andalusian dialects and rich poetry that reflects the region’s idiosyncrasies.

The words, full of feeling, are often stretched and deformed to fit the rhythm or emotion of the performance. Phrases such as “Ay, pena, penita, pena. Pena de mi corazón” (Oh, sorrow, pain, grief, pain in my heart) express a deep sadness, an emotion beyond what everyday language might convey. Furthermore, flamenco often uses metaphors and symbolism that are characteristic of Andalusian culture, such as the use of nature to represent emotions: “pena que me corre por las venas, con la fuerza de un ciclón” (pain running through my veins, with the force of a cyclone).

Salsa: Caribbean flavour and neologisms

Salsa, born in the Caribbean, mainly in Cuba and Puerto Rico, is a musical genre that combines Afro-Caribbean rhythms with influences from jazz and other styles. Salsa lyrics, primarily sung in Spanish, capture urban life, romance and social resistance. In this genre, Spanish reflects the rich cultural fusion of Caribbean communities and their ability to create unique neologisms and expressions.

Songs such as “Pedro Navaja” by Rubén Blades tell stories of typical city characters, using colloquial language full of idioms and expressions typical of Hispanic communities in Latin America. Salsa also reflects the Latin diaspora in cities such as New York, where modern salsa was born. Thus, the language in this genre is a lively mix of Caribbean Spanish influences with Spanglish, a fusion of Spanish with English that arises from bilingual coexistence.

Rock in Spanish: The Voice of the Counterculture

Rock in Spanish, a Spanish-speaking response to the global phenomenon of rock and roll, emerged with a surge of bands in the 1960s and 1970s. It became a powerful channel for expressing youthful rebellion and political concerns in countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Spain. Bands like Soda Stereo or Héroes del Silencio used their music and lyrics to address existential, social, and political themes, making Rock in Spanish a musical genre and a socio-political movement.

In this genre, Spanish was used innovatively, with more complex narrative structures and wordplay that reflected an evolution of the musical language in Spanish. Unlike other, more traditional genres, rock in Spanish shows the language’s ability to adapt to global influences without losing its identity. It allows the creation of its lexicon within the music scene.

Reggaeton: The New Urban Language

Originating in Puerto Rico in the 1990s, reggaeton has evolved to become one of the most popular genres worldwide. Its characteristic “dembow” rhythm and mostly Spanish lyrics reflect urban life, love, partying, and often themes of social criticism. Reggaeton is a genre marked by its simplicity in lyrics, with repetitive phrases that are easy to remember and that appeal to a young audience. Trap, on the other hand, has evolved with darker and cruder lyrics. Initially, the trap talks about street life, drug trafficking, and social difficulties. In Latin trap, themes include self-improvement, economic success, betrayal, violence, and internal struggles, although it can also address themes of romance or heartbreak.

However, what is interesting about reggaeton and trap is how they have incorporated Spanglish and urban slang. English words are mixed with Spanish in the lyrics, reflecting globalisation’s cultural and linguistic influence. Reggaeton and trap are a mirror of life in the big cities of Latin America and the United States, where Spanish coexist with other languages ​​and urban identity is built from multiple influences.

Linguistic diversity in Spanish music

One of the most fascinating aspects of using Spanish in music is how the language adapts to different Spanish-speaking cultures. Each country and region has its dialect and set of expressions that are reflected in its music. While flamenco uses a Spanish full of Andalusian turns of phrase and reggaeton mixes Spanglish and urban slang, the music of Latin America and Spain continues to evolve, incorporating new forms of linguistic expression.

The Spanish language has adapted, evolved, and expanded through genres such as flamenco, salsa, rock in Spanish, reggaeton, and, most recently, trap, reflecting the social, political, and cultural changes of Spanish-speaking peoples. Each song is a fragment of history, and each musical genre reveals how Spanish remains a living, dynamic, and constantly changing language.

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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.

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Culture around Spanish language

Qué pena con usted. Colombia, why do you cause us so much confusion?

It is 3 pm in Bogotá, and I crave trying the classic tamales with hot chocolate. “Ay no, qué pena con usted, pero ya no tengo tamales” [Oh no, what a pity for you, but I don’t have any more tamales], the saleswoman tells me. That qué pena con usted [what a pity for you] resonates in my mind and is very funny because I do not understand that something so unimportant causes you “pity”. Is it not a bit exaggerated to feel so much grief for so little? I was a little confused, but I managed to understand the central idea of ​​the message. Instead of dwelling on the confusion, I accepted the cultural difference and did not give it much importance.

My walk through Bogotá continues, and so does my interaction. This means I will repeatedly hear the phrase: ” What a pity, the food is taking a little longer than expected.” “Excuse me, what a pity for you, but can you explain how I can get to Teusaquillo?” And so many times, the phrase echoes in my ears, persistently reminding me of my confusion, still without understanding why they use “pena” [pity] in that expression.

The RAE, Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, highlights the sense of shame for countries in Central America, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela within the meanings of pity.

I already knew the expression—but from a distance—and that was the first of many times it was said to me directly. Sometimes, it was in its shorter version, with a simple “what a pity,” and then in its extended version, with all the feeling that “what a pity for you” contains. It is indeed an expression that arouses a lot of tenderness but also draws attention due to its excessive politeness.

As one becomes familiar with the expression, one realises that it is very versatile, with multiple uses. It is used to apologise, ask for a favour, attract attention, or deny something. It is a kind and courteous way of addressing someone. Some foreigners love it; others, however, find that courtesy in the spoken language of Colombians implies a degree of condescension that, at times, produces a lot of discomfort.

Where does this way of speaking come from?

The answer seems to lie in two references. On the one hand, the significant influence of the Catholic Church, which calls for respect for elders and authority figures, and in general terms, good manners. On the other hand, the influence of the colonial era, characterised by servility and respect for hierarchies, was very marked at that time. These two influences make up essential elements of the Colombian peculiarity, which helps explain that in its language, everyday uses expressions such as ‘what a pity for you’ or the usual a la orden [‘at your service’] and para servirle [‘to serve you’]. The phrase para servirle is a product of this historical context, where servility and respect for hierarchies were highly valued.

If you are a foreigner, I understand that it may shock you the first time you hear “to serve you” because if one is not familiar with the expression, one emphasises its literal meaning, while a Colombian, probably due to the everyday nature of its use, is no longer governed by the literally, if not for the meaning that the use has given it, which would be equivalent to “you’re welcome.” In this way, the expression has lost the literal force of its meaning and has acquired a sense of courtesy.

In Colombian speech, courtesy and kindness are not just values but the cornerstone of effective communication. The unique cadence and respect they show to their interlocutor through language are genuinely remarkable. Unsurprisingly, Colombian citizens are highly valued in customer service positions in other Spanish-speaking countries.

Some argue that the courtesy and kindness embedded in Colombian speech are a powerful tool to counteract and confront the pervasive violence Colombians experience daily. It’s a unique way to combat violence with courtesy, a cultural significance that is often overlooked.

I hope you learned more about this variant of the Spanish language and gained a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of Colombian speech. As Colombians say, qué pena con usted, but this article has ended. Quedo a sus órdenes para lo que necesite. I look forward to sharing more insights in the next blog post.

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