Category: The language today

Categories
The language today

Spanish in Education: Challenges and Opportunities in Language Teaching

As you well know, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world and holds a prominent place in the global educational arena. With more than 500 million speakers, its teaching as a second language has gained relevance in non-Spanish-speaking countries and those seeking to expand global communication opportunities. However, its teaching process entails significant challenges but also presents numerous opportunities that can improve educational methods and enrich the learning experience.

Challenges in Teaching Spanish

One of the main challenges educators face when teaching Spanish as a second language is the diversity of the language’s variants (you can read more about this in this article, which discusses Spanish dialects worldwide). Spanish is a language with multiple dialectal variants and accents that vary from one region to another, both in Spain and Latin America. This diversity can significantly impact students’ learning, as they may find differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation depending on the country or region of their teacher or study materials. Therefore, educators must understand the diversity of Spanish dialects. This understanding can motivate them to find practical solutions and strategies to help students navigate this diversity and enhance their learning experience.

Another major challenge is Spanish’s grammatical complexity. Although it is a language derived from Latin and shares similarities with other Romance languages, Spanish has a rich and sometimes complicated grammar for non-native learners. Verb conjugations, with their numerous tenses and moods, such as the subjunctive, are particularly difficult for learners. In addition, the rules for agreement between gender and number and the use of pronouns and articles present additional challenges (you can read more about this here in our previous article on grammatical agreement).

In addition, students’ motivation and context play a crucial role in successful learning. Students who learn Spanish as a second language often do so for academic or professional reasons. Still, without constant exposure or the opportunity to practice in real-world settings, they may lose interest or struggle to achieve fluency. This challenge affects teachers and students, as maintaining enthusiasm for language learning requires creative strategies and an interactive approach.

Opportunities in Teaching Spanish

Teaching Spanish offers opportunities to improve and adapt pedagogical methods despite the challenges. The first opportunity arises from educational technology. In the digital age, language learning resources are abundant and accessible. Tools such as language learning apps, video conferencing platforms, and online audiovisual content such as Spanish-language movies, series, and podcasts offer students opportunities to immerse themselves in the language in highly interactive and entertaining ways. Educators can leverage these resources to complement classroom teaching, facilitating autonomous learning and continued practice outside the school environment.

Another key opportunity is the growing global demand for Spanish. Spanish has become a highly valued language for trade, diplomacy and tourism in many countries, especially in the United States, Europe and Asia. This has led to an increase in Spanish teaching programs in schools, universities, and language centres. This growing interest has allowed educators to innovate approaches and adapt to a broader and more diverse audience.

Improving Teaching Methods

To improve Spanish teaching methods, it is essential to adopt a student-centred approach that recognises individual needs and provides students with tools to learn autonomously and effectively. Personalising learning through technology and ongoing assessments can help teachers adapt content to students’ abilities and levels.

Another way to improve teaching methods is to foster authentic communication in the classroom rather than teaching based solely on grammar. Students should be able to interact in Spanish in actual or simulated situations that reflect how they will use the language in the future.

In short, technology integration, task-based approaches, and language immersion can transform the learning experience, helping students acquire meaningful and useful communicative competence for their professional and personal lives.

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!

Categories
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!

Categories
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!

Categories
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!

Categories
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.

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 fantastic grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

Categories
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!

Categories
The language today

Spanish phrases and vocabulary on your summer holiday

Are you going on holiday to a Spanish-speaking country? What better opportunity to enjoy the heat, the beach or a nice tan and practice Spanish? Isn’t that a good plan for you?

Remember that Spanish is spoken in Spain and many other Latin American countries, such as Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Also, in Central America and some African countries, there will always be a hot season in some months of the year, and you can practice Spanish in one of these countries. Isn’t it great? If you can travel, you can always enjoy good weather and a relaxed atmosphere like summer vacations somewhere in the world.

During the holiday atmosphere, there are always many relaxed activities to gain self-confidence and enrich your command of the language, so keep reading. We will give you a hand here so you can practice your Spanish.

First rule: you already know where you will travel, and your trip is almost there, so I advise you that if you want to soak up the atmosphere of the place, look for a movie set in one of the cities you will visit. That will make your visit much more interesting because once you are there, you will seek to recognise what you saw in the film, whether it be the landscape, way of life or, better yet, expressions or phrases you heard. Ah! And, of course, I encourage you to change the language of your mobile phone to Spanish.

Well, we’re there: now to practice.

As you gear up for your exciting summer adventure in Spain, let’s dive into the world of the Spanish language. Today, we’ll explore some key phrases and expressions that will help you communicate and enrich your stay.

  “Buenos días” (good morning) is one of the most common greetings. To greet a person in the afternoon, we say “buenas tardes” (good afternoon/evening) finally, we use “buenas noches” (good night).

Imagine you are walking down the street and must attract someone’s attention to ask them a question. In that context, you would use “perdone” (excuse me) in its formal form or “perdona” in its informal form, depending on the age of the person you are addressing. After saying this and attracting their attention, you can now ask the question you want.

Is this your first-time meeting someone, and you don’t know what to say at the end? If you’ve had a good time with her, you can use the classic “encantado/a de conocerle” (this is the formal version) (nice to meet you) or “encantado/a de conocerte” if it’s someone your age or someone you feel comfortable enough to speak on a first-name basis. You can also say, “es un placer” (It’s a pleasure) or simply “encantado/a” (delighted).

Basic vocabulary

Let’s consider the means of transport in Spain. We will mainly discuss el tren (train), bus, avión (plane), and coche (car).

When discussing accommodation, you must master the concepts of hotel, hostel, (Albergue juvenil) youth hostel, apartamento (apartment), camping, parador, casa rural (cottage), and camping. The Paradores is a public hotel chain in Spain managed by a state commercial company.

Spain offers a wide range of activities that are of interest to everyone. You can enjoy the sun and sand at the beach, cool off in a pool, explore the scenic mountains, go hiking, experience the outdoors with camping, immerse yourself in art and history by visiting museums, indulge in retail therapy with shopping, take a leisurely stroll around the city, or stay active with sports.

The recommended products for summer are protector solar (sunscreen), mapas (maps) and planos (plans). Sombrero (a hat) or gorra (cap), gafas de sol (sunglasses), cámara fotográfica (a camera), and cargadores (chargers). If you are not from the European Union, it is advisable to buy a tarjeta SIM (SIM card).

Essential extras: taxi, pasaporte (passport), billete (ticket), maleta (suitcase), mochila (backpack), equipaje (luggage).

Interrogative formulas

«¿Dónde está el hospital? » (Where is the hospital?)

«Tiene (usted)/Tienes (tú) un mapa?» (Do you have a map?)

«¿Cuándo nos vamos?» (When do we go?)

If you want to explain that you don’t speak Spanish well, you could say, «Disculpe, no hablo bien español» (Excuse me, I don’t speak Spanish well). If you don’t understand what they said, you can say, «no entiendo lo que ha dicho» (I don’t understand what you said), and add, «¿podría repetirlo, por favor?» (could you repeat that, please?).

If the situation is too complicated for you, you may want to ask if someone speaks English. In this case, you would have to say, «¿habla usted inglés?» (do you speak English?/poliness grammar) or «¿hablas inglés?». To ask for help, say, «¿podría ayudarme?» (could you help me?) and to express desire, for example, if you are in a cafe and you already know what to order, use the conditional verb: «me gustaría tomar un café, por favor» (I would like to have a coffee, please).

When you’re planning to travel within Spain, these questions can be your lifesavers: «Dónde se pueden comprar los billetes de bus/tren?» (Where can I buy bus or train tickets?) and «a qué hora sale el próximo tren a Madrid?» (What time does the next train to Madrid depart?).

I hope these tips are helpful for your practice and your next vacation. Remember that the key to learning Spanish, as with everything in life, is motivation, which is entirely up to you.

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!

Categories
The language today

The influence of cinema and TV on language

Film and television are part of popular culture, which takes elements from the real world for inspiration and either exaggerates or creatively reinterprets them. But what happens when it is communication in the real world that is influenced by what is projected on the screen?

Many movie phrases are already part of everyday language. The voice of our conscience, or the one who plays the role of being our critical advisor, is known as Jiminy Cricket, in reference to the character from the animated film Pinocchio of 1940. Jiminy Cricket was responsible for reorienting Pinocchio’s steps after he became a compulsive liar.

Cinema and television influence us consciously and unconsciously. Often, words or expressions used on the screen are part of popular culture, so explaining an idea further is unnecessary.

Some expressions are in the collective unconscious, such as movie scenes or scenes that are believed to belong to a movie, although, they never existed. In fact, in the classic film Tarzan, the protagonist never says, I Tarzan, you Jane but hits her chest and says Tarzan, then hits Jane and says Jane. This curiosity also occurs in original novels such as Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, where the famous phrase elementary, my dear Watson never existed.

We have all grown up watching movies whose dialogues have remained forever in our subconscious. Some expressions are so massively naturalised that we often ignore their origin. For example, the word paparazzi is a linguistic loan originating from Italian, incorporated into the lexicon of Spanish, English and other languages. Its origin is in the character Paparazzo from the famous film La Dolce Vita (1960) by Federico Fellini. Paparazzo means mosquito, and in the film, it was the name of the protagonist photographer. After the film, the term began to refer to the photographers of the so-called tabloid press.

From theatre and television

Another influence of the world of entertainment on everyday speech is found in the expression gaslighting. This term originated in 1938 after the premiere of the play of the same name. In this English play, a husband tries to drive his wife into madness by dimming the gas lights in his house and then denying that the light changes when his wife points it out. From then on, the expression refers to the psychological manipulation that someone exercises on another to make them question the validity of their thoughts and perception of reality.

Peinar la muñeca (combing the doll) is a localism used in Chile to refer to someone going through an episode of alienation or disturbance or whose mental faculties are disturbed. This ingenious phrase commonly used in the country originates in the last chapter of Los Títeres. A famous soap opera shown on Chilean television in 1984. In it, the character of actress Gloria Munchmayer, now entirely out of her mind, begins to talk to her dolls and aggressively throw them into the pool. After this, the protagonist enters the pool and hugs some dolls while dips the heads of others. Finally, she maternally hugs them all while stroking their hair. The disturbing scene exuded so much isolation and madness that it remained in the national collective subconscious and became the saying peinar la muñeca used to refer to someone who does not seem to be in their right mind.

If you have been interested in the anecdote of the origin of this expression, you can review the last scene of Los títeres.

The sagas that accompany generations

A film that has influenced the language of both older and younger generations is Star Wars. It is common for some to refer to their apprentices as my young Padawan. In addition, the film saga is complete with well-known phrases, such as the traditional I am your father, from Darth Vader or the countless references people make to the dark side of the force.

And, you know: May the force -and iScribo- be with you.

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!

Categories
The language today

Emojis: the current economy of language

Since the Rosetta stone was discovered in 1799, 23 years passed before the method of reading Egyptian hieroglyphs was deciphered, mainly thanks to the studies carried out by Thomas Young, an English linguist and Jean-François Champollion, a French historian.

Similarities between ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and the emojis of the digital age are evident. However, their differences are remarkable: Hieroglyphs were a complete language represented in a writing system of strict rules. Although an illiterate person can understand some basic symbols, a high skill level is required to handle them fully.

Emojis, on the other hand, were born under the auspices of digital messages on social networks, and here, the economy of language takes precedence. Emojis are the evolution of emoticons. The origin of the latest word comes from an acronym for the terms emotion and icon. Emoticons are, as their name indicates, iconic representations that complement written texts, adding nuances or complicities in the language.

Write with images 😎 😏

In a written conversation, intonation, and everything that non-verbal communication provides disappears. Although emoticons are characteristic elements of written language, they bring those who use them closer to orality. It gives a hybrid communication style to the written communication of digital messaging. The emojis can be attributed to a change in intonation, the volume of the voice, a facial gesture, or a particular movement of the body. In short, these actions are typical of the field of study of pragmatic linguistics, which, if it were not for the emoticons, would not be present in the chat conversation.

An emoji is a wild card in written conversation since it easily and quickly explains the sender’s intention and often breaks the ice or removes the apparent abruptness of what is said in words. You can indicate that you are exhausted 😴 without having to say it by writing many words. Hyperbole can be expressed, such as being “red with anger” 😡, “being about to explode” 🤯 or “freezing to death” 🥶.

With an emoticon, we can ask for discretion 🤫, express sadness 😞, empathy 🙏, etc. In short, images economise, and at the same time enhance, the expressive function of language. They give it flavour and an essential cultural load.

History of emojis

In 1844, Morse code was used as a telegraphic communication system for the first time. What does that have to do with emojis?!, you might ask. Well, now comes the interesting detail: it turns out that, in 1857, that is, 13 years after this code began to be used, the National Telegraphic Review and Operators Guide documented that the number 73 of the code started to be employed to express “love and kisses” and then led to something more formal like “kind regards” or “best wishes.” Many radio operators say “73” at the end of a friendly call precisely since, in that context, it is currently a close way of saying goodbye or saying thank you.

World Emoji Day

As a result of all the communication commotion that emojis have caused in the digital age, in 2010, a curious holiday arose called Emoji Day. Since that year, World Emoji Day has been celebrated every July 17. This day was chosen because the first 176 emojis were created in 1999. Today, the Unicode consortium (made up of Apple, Microsoft, Google, and IBM) oversees creating new emojis.

If you dare, you should know that anyone can submit a proposal to create a new emoticon, but it is a challenge. It must meet formal requirements and demonstrate that the image will have an expected level of use. So now you know, if you want to brag that incorporating a new emoticon was thanks to your management, observe your surroundings and play, we all support you here! 😉

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, remember to subscribe to our wonderful grammar checker.

GET IT NOW
Sign up now

Want more Spanish tips?

Get them direct to your inbox

Sign up for tips and tricks to perfect your Spanish writing skills. You’ll be writing like a native in no time.

Free Trial until 30 September 2021: Our subscription programme does not start until 1 October 2021. So, as long as you provide us with a feedback you can use our site for free until noon 30 September 2021 (GMT)