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Culture around Spanish language

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.

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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History of Spanish language

Medieval Spanish and modern Spanish: the evolution of a language

Spanish has evolved profoundly from its medieval form to today’s modern language. This process has been marked by phonetics, grammar, vocabulary, and orthography changes, from medieval Castilian closer to Latin to classical Spanish of the Golden Age and, finally, to contemporary Spanish.

Phonetic and orthographic evolution

During the medieval period, Spanish retained some phonetic influences from Vulgar Latin, including sounds and letters that no longer exist today. For example, letters such as “ç” and letter combinations such as “ss” were used for sounds that we currently represent with the letter “s” or “z.” Likewise, the Latin “f” in words such as “ferrum” (iron) was transformed into a silent “h” (as in “hierro”). These changes reflect the phonetic development that allowed Spanish to simplify its pronunciation and eliminate certain sounds that could be confusing or redundant.

The standardisation process began for spelling from the Renaissance onwards. Antonio de Nebrija’s 1492 creation of the Grammar of the Castilian Language marked a milestone, establishing grammatical and spelling rules that guided the use of the language and helped to unify its forms of writing. Since then, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) has continued to modify the spelling rules to reflect the evolutions in the everyday use of the language.

Changes in vocabulary and semantics

The vocabulary of medieval Spanish was not static but dynamic and constantly evolving. It was a blend of Latin, Arabic, Germanic, and Celtic words, reflecting the diverse influences in the Iberian Peninsula. As the language evolved, new words emerged, and meanings changed. The Renaissance period, marked by increased contact with other European cultures, they further enriched the language with terms from Italian and French, especially in art and science.

Over time, some Old Spanish words have fallen into disuse or have changed their meaning. For example, in Old Spanish, words like “facer” (to make) and “fablar” (to speak) were part of the everyday lexicon but were replaced by their modern forms. In addition, medieval words that had a specific meaning were transformed or had their meaning expanded. This semantic change is standard in the evolution of languages ​​and allows the language to reflect cultural and social changes.

Grammar and syntax

Spanish grammar has also changed substantially. In old Spanish, different constructions and verb forms were used. For example, the personal pronouns “vos” and “vuestra merced” were respectful and formal ways of addressing others. Over time, the use of “vosotros” and “ustedes” became established, differentiating peninsular Spanish from Latin American Spanish, where the “voseo” persists in some regions (you can see more about this in the article on the Spanish of Argentina and Uruguay.)

Another essential difference is syntax. In the Middle Ages, sentences tended to be more complex, with syntactical constructions influenced by Latin. Over time, Spanish modernised its structures, favouring more straightforward sentences, making learning and spreading easier.

Classical Spanish: The Golden Age

Classical Spanish of the Golden Age (16th and 17th centuries) is considered a golden age for Spanish literature. Authors such as Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega helped to consolidate and enrich the language. Their contributions, along with the stability in grammar and syntax that Castilian gained during this time, have led to the creation of expressions and idiomatic phrases that have stood the test of time, connecting us to our literary past.

Similarities and legacy of ancient Spanish in modern Spanish

While modern Spanish has simplified many features of the medieval language, it still retains specific structures and vocabulary, albeit in a diverse manner across different regions. Medieval literature and poetry have left a mark on modern Spanish, with traces of the old words still found in certain expressions and proverbs. Additionally, some phonetic features from medieval times persist regional dialects of Spain and Latin America, adding to the richness and complexity of the language. For example, expressions like “a buen recaudo” and “en un santiamén” or words like “fierro” instead of “hierro” in parts of Latin America, continue to reflect the influence of medieval Castilian.

Spanish has come a long way from its medieval form, adapting to cultural and social changes. This process of constant change has made it a rich and flexible language, capable of incorporating new words and structures while maintaining a deep historical foundation. The evolution of Spanish reflects not only the development of a language but also the history of a culture that lives on in every word and expression of the language today.

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

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.

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

Using prepositions in Spanish: Complete guide with rules and exceptions

Prepositions are small words that play a crucial role in sentence structure, allowing relationships to be established between different elements. Although they may seem simple, their correct use can challenge both native speakers and Spanish learners. Prepositions can indicate location, time, cause, and belonging, among other things, and their misuse can alter the meaning of a sentence. In this article, we will explore the basic rules for using prepositions in Spanish and the exceptions and exceptional cases that often confuse.

What are prepositions?

Prepositions are invariable words that introduce complements and connect different elements within a sentence. For example, in the sentence: Voy a la tienda (I’m going to the store), the preposition a connects the verb voy with the place la tienda, indicating direction. Some of the most common prepositions in Spanish include a, de, en, con, por, para, sin, sobre, and desde, among others.

Basic rules for the use of prepositions

1. Using “a” to indicate direction or movement:

The preposition “a” expresses movement or direction toward a place or a goal. It is essential to let you know a destination.

  • Example: “Voy a la universidad” (I’m going to university) (direction).
  • Example: “Llamé a mi madre” (I called my mother) (goal or recipient).

An essential rule with a is that it is also used before direct objects when they are people, known as the “personal a”.

  • Example: “Vi a Juan en el parque” (I saw Juan in the park).

This rule is omitted when the direct object is not a person:  “Vi el perro” (I saw the dog).

2. “De” to indicate belonging, origin or cause

The preposition ‘de’ is a versatile tool in Spanish grammar. Its applications range from expressing possession and origin to indicating matter, among other uses. Its broad applicability will enhance your understanding of the language.

  • Example: “Este libro es de María” (This book is Maria’s) (belonging).
  • Example:  “Soy de España” (I am from Spain) (origin).
  • Example: “La mesa es de madera” (The table is made of wood) (material).

It is important not to confuse the use of “de” with “desde” since the latter indicates a starting point in space or time: “El tren salió desde la estación” (The train left from the station).

3. “En” to indicate location or time

The preposition “en” generally indicates location or time. Unlike “a,” which implies movement, “en” means something or someone is in a specific place without indicating displacement.

  • Example: “Estoy en casa” (location).
  • Example: “Nos vemos en enero” (time).

An interesting exception is that “en” is not always used for transportation since we say: “Voy a pie” (not “en pie”).

4. “Por” and “para”: a typical case of confusion

These two prepositions often need clarification because, in some contexts, they have similar meanings in other languages, such as English. However, in Spanish, they have particular uses:

  • “Por” is used to express cause, means, duration or exchange.
  • Example: “Lo hago por ti” (I do it for you) (cause).
  • Example: “Viajo por tren” (I travel by train) (means).
  • Example: “Estudié por tres horas” (I studied for three hours) (duration).
  • “Para” indicates destination, purpose or recipient.
  • Example: “Este regalo es para ti” (This gift is for you) (recipient).
  • Example:  “Trabajo para ganar dinero” (I work to earn money) (purpose).

5. “Con” for company or instrument

The preposition “con” indicates company or how an action is carried out.

  • Example: “Fui al cine con mis amigos” (I went to the movies with my friends) (company).
  • Example:  “Corto el pan con un cuchillo” (I cut bread with a knife) (instrument).

It’s important to note that there are exceptions to the use of ‘con ‘. In verbal expressions such as  soñar con (dream about) or enamorarse de (fall in love with), the meaning does not indicate company but rather an idiomatic construction. Understanding these exceptions can be a challenging yet engaging part of learning the Spanish language.

Exceptions and special cases

Prepositions in Spanish, although they follow explicit rules, also present exceptional cases that must be memorised:

  • “A” + infinitive: The preposition “a” can be followed by an infinitive to indicate an imminent purpose or action: “Voy a estudiar.”
  • “De” + infinitive: In expressions like “acabar de + infinitivo,” an action that has just happened is expressed: “Acabo de llegar.”
  • Verbs with a fixed preposition: Some verbs in Spanish always require a specific preposition. For example:
  • “Depender de”.
  • “Soñar con”.
  • “Consistir en”.

Using the wrong preposition in these cases alters the meaning or results in a grammatical error.

Tips to avoid common mistakes

  1. Memorize the prepositions that accompany certain verbs: Some verbs always require a specific preposition, such as “fall in love with” or “think about.” Learning these cases is crucial in avoiding mistakes.
  • Context is key: The meaning of a preposition can shift depending on the context. For instance, “por” can denote cause (“Lo hice por ti”/ ”I did it for you”) or means (“Hablé por teléfono”/ “I spoke on the phone”). Understanding these nuances will boost your confidence in using prepositions correctly.
  • Beware of literal translations: Not all prepositions have a direct counterpart in another language. For instance, in English, we say “think about,” but in Spanish, it’s “pensar en.” Being mindful of these differences will enhance your language skills.

Correct use of prepositions is essential for clarity and precision in Spanish. Although they may seem difficult due to the numerous rules and exceptions, with practice and attention, they can be mastered. Remembering the basic rules, memorising the exceptions, and observing the context in which they are used can help you avoid common mistakes and improve your fluency in Spanish.

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

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!

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