Language differences and communication woes

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Well, here's a question, Aztec, si ma'am: Consider the word chapa. What does it mean in Mexican Spanish, and what does it mean in Dominicano Spanish? Answer, si man, and then I'll tell you what it means in Ecuatoriano Spanish, see man.

I shall ask Mrs. T-B. tomorrow what differences she notes in terminology. I do know that there are differences even between Ecuatoriano and Colombiano Spanish, and they're neighbors.

Not quite the same, but worth repeating: A couple of years ago, Mrs. T-B. & I visited several Mexican border cities. In Nuevo Laredo, we stopped at a sit-down restaurant that was mostly empty due to the time of day. Mrs. T-B. kept asking the waiters what the various menu-items were. I couldn't understand most of what was being said, but I could perceive that the waiters were growing increasingly confused -- I presumed because, to them, here was a speaker of perfect Spanish who didn't know what should have been "obvious" stuff. On the way out of the restaurant, I summoned my entire Spanish vocabulary and said to one waiter, "Mi esposa es una Ecuatoriana" (my wife is Ecuadorian). His eyebrows shot up in surprised understanding and he said, "Ah, Si!" and he ran back in, presumably to apprise his colleagues. Ergothuswithforthly, my perception was correct, si man.

This was also just about the only time I ever said anything in Spanish and the natives didn't look alarmed and point me toward the nearest restroom, sigh man.

Depending on a number of things, chapa can be: nickname, bottle cap, tin metal and if used as a verb: to catch (physically catch someone and also to catch someone doing something) and/or to kiss; all from Peru also i nthe same hood as Ecuador and Colombia

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hello everyone!

I thought I would start a topic about a really important issue that ALL couples face -but particularly important to us- people in the Visa Journey. How do you manage language differences?

By language I do not only mean the actual set of words and sounds that construct and convey meaning (English, Spanish, French, etc.) but I also mean to include in this word the regional differences and idioms particular of a specific tongue, specially those languages that are spoken in different countries and regions. Have you had to learn your spouse's language, along with his or her particular and specific cultural myths -meaning the values, behaviors, and attitudes that are the social norms of a particular culture-?

For me, it has been an interesting journey. My husband and I are both native Spanish speakers. Therefore, you would think that we both speak the "same" language, right? Wrong! I have had to learn the Dominicanisms and he has had to learn the Mexicanisms appropriate to our regional Spanish. To me, it is interesting that we have both have to become "bilingual" (in a sense). We have had to learn the cultural myths, ideas, and idioms specific to our different native countries. Added to this mix has been the added complication of living in this country.

Can you share an anecdote of your journey as related to these language differences and adjustments?

I could share many instances, but my current favorite is my husband's adoption of the word "chingada," which is a word that we, Mexicans, use. He knows how to mandar a alguien a la chingada, which is the English equivalent to sending someone, well, far away. F* off? Maybe? This is a word which is not used in the the DR, but has learned to use by his close contact with Mexicans in our city and common friends. On the other hand, he has learned some English, too. He has learned the also complicated meaning of the F word. How much of a couple's communication depends on language and how much of it depends on the specific meanings and use of words particular to a specific culture and region?

Comment away!

The weirdest thing: Would you ever imagine a Polish understanding what you are saying (well, more or less)? Turns out that Polish has many Latin and French origin words, and many (and I mean many) are the same words that we Spanish (Castillian) speakers use!

At same time, would you imagine catching words in Polish and knowing what they mean? I kid you not!

Our situation is possibly not as strange among VJrs but amusing to many of our friends: One of my brothers is married to French, my sister to a Salvatrucha (El Salvador) and I am to a Polish. None of us (originally Peruvians, live in Peru. So, in any family reunion, there is at least 4-5 languages going on at same time, our native ones and often an 'in between' language (and sometimes 2 'in between', for example: French to Spanish to English to Polish) that is common to 2 or more. And sometimes there is a 'translation chain' of sorts. Results are often funny to say the least.

Luckily, growing up in South America is very much like growing up in Europe, thus, habits and gestures as well as things we do day to day and how we conduct ourselves are surprisingly similar.

[SH&E 0]

Well, here's a question, Aztec, si ma'am: Consider the word chapa. What does it mean in Mexican Spanish, and what does it mean in Dominicano Spanish? Answer, si man, and then I'll tell you what it means in Ecuatoriano Spanish, see man.

I know what it means Mr. T-B lol 2 different meanings same word and it´s so true how even Spanish from one country to another can be sometimes difficult to understand or you say something and it has a different meaning like "coger" to argentinians means something totally different compare to ecuadorians or "cola for the colombians

Edited October 5, 2011 by SH&E

[TBoneTX 44,672]

Depending on a number of things, chapa can be: nickname, bottle cap, tin metal and if used as a verb: to catch (physically catch someone and also to catch someone doing something) and/or to kiss; all from Peru also i nthe same hood as Ecuador and Colombia

Peru is indeed in the same 'hood, si man.

Chapa, n. - a speed-bump; something that impedes one's progress.

Chapa, n. - a policeman, security guard, or other irritant who acts to impede one's progress.

As we drove by the puerco-station, I told my mother-in-law (Mama-Mrs.-T-B.) "La casa de las Chapas" and she actually understood me without alarmedly pointing me to the nearest bathroom.

[TBoneTX 44,672]

[Re COCHINO] LOL!! thats funny esp. if she says it to you.. !!

Uh, well, see man...

[TBoneTX 44,672]

One word in particular that I had to explain to him was the difference between Fine and Find.

Ecuadorians from Guayaquil drop the ends of their words, whereas Ecus from Quito typically might not.

Mrs. T-B. recently announced, "I bought you cheap." I said, "Well, that's a typical price for a cochino gringo, but what the devil are you talking about?" She said, "Cheap, CHEAP! I bought you CHEAP!" After some detective-work, it turned out that she had been to the supermarket and had purchased a bag of potato cheaps for me, si man.

Edited October 5, 2011 by TBoneTX

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Peru is indeed in the same 'hood, si man.

Chapa, n. - a speed-bump; something that impedes one's progress.

Chapa, n. - a policeman, security guard, or other irritant who acts to impede one's progress.

As we drove by the puerco-station, I told my mother-in-law (Mama-Mrs.-T-B.) "La casa de las Chapas" and she actually understood me without alarmedly pointing me to the nearest bathroom.

I asked my Dominican husband and he said chapa meant a piece of something such as fruit as in "dame una chapa de mango."

Ecuadorians from Guayaquil drop the ends of their words, whereas Ecus from Quito typically might not.

Mrs. T-B. recently announced, "I bought you cheap." I said, "Well, that's a typical price for a cochino gringo, but what the devil are you talking about?" She said, "Cheap, CHEAP! I bought you CHEAP!" After some detective-work, it turned out that she had been to the supermarket and had purchased a bag of potato cheaps for me, si man.

Funny! Cheap and chips... Maybe she did get you cheap, too!

[Aztec&Taino 144]

The weirdest thing: Would you ever imagine a Polish understanding what you are saying (well, more or less)? Turns out that Polish has many Latin and French origin words, and many (and I mean many) are the same words that we Spanish (Castillian) speakers use!

At same time, would you imagine catching words in Polish and knowing what they mean? I kid you not!

Our situation is possibly not as strange among VJrs but amusing to many of our friends: One of my brothers is married to French, my sister to a Salvatrucha (El Salvador) and I am to a Polish. None of us (originally Peruvians, live in Peru. So, in any family reunion, there is at least 4-5 languages going on at same time, our native ones and often an 'in between' language (and sometimes 2 'in between', for example: French to Spanish to English to Polish) that is common to 2 or more. And sometimes there is a 'translation chain' of sorts. Results are often funny to say the least.

Luckily, growing up in South America is very much like growing up in Europe, thus, habits and gestures as well as things we do day to day and how we conduct ourselves are surprisingly similar.

Talk about a multi-cultural and multilingual family! This is the spirit of America; the idea of the "melting pot" at its finest.

[Mononoke28 134]

In Colombia we use chapa to describe a keyhole or lock on a door, i.e.: Hay que arreglar la chapa de la puerta.

Diana

[Nica_In_Love 98]

Peru is indeed in the same 'hood, si man.

Chapa, n. - a speed-bump; something that impedes one's progress.

Chapa, n. - a policeman, security guard, or other irritant who acts to impede one's progress.

As we drove by the puerco-station, I told my mother-in-law (Mama-Mrs.-T-B.) "La casa de las Chapas" and she actually understood me without alarmedly pointing me to the nearest bathroom.

That's funny. To us (Nicaragua) chapa means earring. Indeed Spanish can vary quite a lot depending on the country or the region you're in.

[TBoneTX 44,672]

In Colombia we use chapa to describe a keyhole or lock on a door, i.e.: Hay que arreglar la chapa de la puerta.

Actually, this morning, Mrs. T-B. said that "chapa" means "keyhole," too.

Funny! Cheap and chips... Maybe she did get you cheap, too!

Bargain-basement prices, si man. It's even funnier when she mentions changing the sh*ts on the bed, uff man.

I asked my Dominican husband and he said chapa meant a piece of something such as fruit as in "dame una chapa de mango."

I shall consult Mrs. T-B. about this, si man.

To us (Nicaragua) chapa means earring. Indeed Spanish can vary quite a lot depending on the country or the region you're in.

I shall consult Mrs. T-B. about this, too, si man.

[TBoneTX 44,672]

OK si man, let's turn the conversation:

1) If in Ecuador "chapa" refers somewhat derogatorily to the police, what word in YOUR (or your SO's) Spanish dialect is used in that sense? Does anyone call them "puercos" (pigs)?

B) For firemen, does everyone also say "bomberos"?

iii) Are Americanos/Americanas chiefly referred to as gringos/gringas, or are there alternate terms?

d) Besides in Ecuador, Peru, & Colombia, is guinea pig (cuy) eaten?

Edited October 5, 2011 by TBoneTX

[Aztec&Taino 144]

1) If in Ecuador "chapa" refers somewhat derogatorily to the police, what word in YOUR (or your SO's) Spanish dialect is used in that sense? Does anyone call them "puercos" (pigs)? In Mexico you could say "la chota" to refer to the police force.

B) For firemen, does everyone also say "bomberos"? Si, bomberos.

iii) Are Americanos/Americanas chiefly referred to as gringos/gringas, or are there alternate terms? Funny that you mention this because I learned of a new way to call Americans from fellow Mexicans living here in the US. The word "bolillo" refers to the white bread (like a hard roll with a soft inside) AND to white Americans. I personally like gringo better and think bolillo is more offensive -not to mention discriminatory to other races/colors of Americans (other than white).

d) Besides in Ecuador, Peru, & Colombia, is guinea pig (cuy) eaten? What?! These are pets, not food! Pobres cuyos...

[Nica_In_Love 98]

1) If in Ecuador "chapa" refers somewhat derogatorily to the police, what word in YOUR (or your SO's) Spanish dialect is used in that sense? Does anyone call them "puercos" (pigs)?

We don't really have any derogatory term for the police, but we usually say "la poli" to refer to them in general terms.

B) For firemen, does everyone also say "bomberos"?

Yes. Bomberos it is.

iii) Are Americanos/Americanas chiefly referred to as gringos/gringas, or are there alternate terms?

Gringos. If they have blond hair, people might refer to them as "cheles" or "chelas", which can also be used for a non-American blond hair person.

d) Besides in Ecuador, Peru, & Colombia, is guinea pig (cuy) eaten?

No. Never heard of this. We used to have one...but as a pet! We call them "cobayos".

[TBoneTX 44,672]

Re Gringos:

The word "bolillo" refers to the white bread (like a hard roll with a soft inside) AND to white Americans. I personally like gringo better and think bolillo is more offensive -not to mention discriminatory to other races/colors of Americans (other than white).

Oh, now that you remind me, Mrs. T-B. has mentioned this, too, as a term that's also sometimes used in Ecu! I don't find it offensive; I think that it's rather charming, actually. They care enough to look inside of us, si man.

Re Cuy:

What?! These are pets, not food! Pobres cuyos...

When I saw street vendors preparing cuyes on spits, and later when I went into a takeout restaurant and saw dual menu-boards advertising "cuy" next to "pollo," I said to Mrs. T-B., "We don't eat our pets!" She matter-of-factly replied, "People will eat what is available."

Re Cats: Shortly after Mrs. T-B. arrived, she found a copy of "Cat Fancy" magazine that someone had given to me. She observed, "You have magazines about cats?!" She then marveled disbelievingly at the "cat resorts" advertised therein. Mrs. T-B. has said several times that, in Ecu, dogs & cats are just animals, not family members (and certainly not if someone eats them). To be honest, she was jealous of my cat (who, after all, was here first) until rather recently, when she changed her tune because 8-month-old Mini-Bone crawls rapidly after the cat and squeals with delight (usually quashing what would otherwise be a successful tail-grabbing, because the cat moves away due to the squeals).

Re Language Differences: In another magazine, Mrs. T-B. saw an ad for a pedometer. With a near-laugh, she asked me, "What is this?" I explained. Subsequently, we've pointed out and laughed at signs for pedodontists, si man.

(Note to the uninitiated: see just below to understand the significance of the preceding sentence.)

For my part, I remain deeply impressed that the Spanish language enables one to refer to a pedito (a small fart), a pedo (a regular fart), or a pedote (a major fart), si man. Had I not been exposed to Mrs. T-B.'s rich cultural background, I never would have known this, no man. Once I was blind, but now I can si, man!

New question, si man: Does every Spanish-speaker here know exactly what a "calzoncillo chino" is?