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Spanish Language and Culture
Spanish is a major language of international organizations such as the Organization of Ibero-American States; and of countries in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Until 1973, it was the official language of the Philippines, where its impact still is seen in the vocabularies of such native Filipino languages as Tagalog and Cebuano. Contributions typically raise questions about the language's local dialects; regional variations; and worldwide achievements in business, entertainment, and literature.
3,189 Questions
Why are you speaking Spanish in Spanish?
I am speaking Spanish because you asked a question in Spanish. I am programmed to respond in the same language that is used to interact with me. How can I assist you further?
It's a great story, but it's just that: a story. More precisely it's an urban legend, one of those stories that is repeated so often that people come to believe it. Like many other legends, it has enough truth (some Spaniards indeed do speak with something resembling a lisp, at least to those who accustomed to the pronunciation of Latin American Spanish) to be believed, provided one doesn't examine the story too closely. (In this case, looking at the story more closely would make one wonder why Spaniards don't also pronounce the letter s with a so-called lisp.)
The fact is that all living languages evolve. And when one group of speakers is separated from another group, over time the two groups will part ways and develop their own peculiarities in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. Just as U.S. English differs from British English (both of which differ from Canadian and South African English, among others), so does the Spanish of Spain and various Latin American countries. Even within one country, including Spain, you'll hear regional variations in pronunciation. And that's all we're talking about with the "lisp." Some people in Spain (and even in a few parts of South America) pronounce the letter z roughly the same as the English "th" of "tooth," while others pronounce is like an "s." It's not a lisp; it's just a difference in pronunciation.
There isn't always a specific explanation of why language changes in the way it does. But there is a plausible explanation given for this change, according to a graduate student who wrote to this site after this question and answer were first published. Here's what he said:
"As a graduate student of the Spanish language and a Spaniard, being confronted with people who 'know' the origin of the 'lisp' found in most of Spain is one of my pet peeves. I have heard the 'lisping king' story many times, even from cultured people who are native Spanish speakers, though you will not hear it come from a Spaniard.
"Firstly, the ceceo is not a lisp. A lisp is the mispronunciation of the sibilant s sound. In Castilian Spanish, the sibilant s sound exists and is represented by the letter s. The ceceocomes in to represent the sounds made by the letters z and cfollowed by i or e.
"In medieval Castilian there were two sounds that eventually evolved into the ceceo, the ç(the cedilla) as in plaça and the z as in dezir. The cedilla made a /ts/ sound and the z a /dz/sound. This gives more insight into why those similar sounds may have evolved into thececeo."
What county in Maryland has the most spanish people?
Montgomery County in Maryland has the highest percentage of residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, including people of Spanish descent. It is known for its diverse population and vibrant Hispanic community.
What does the spanish words mira pa' dentro mean in English?
"Mira pa' dentro" in English means "look inside" or "look within." It is a phrase commonly used to encourage self-reflection or introspection.
What is the meaning of the spanish word TARDIS?
do you mean 'tardes' as in buenos tardes, it means good afternoon/evening. Tarde means (generally) late
How many verbs are in the spanish language?
There are thousands of verbs in the Spanish language. Although the exact number may vary depending on the specific source, it is estimated that there are over 10,000 verbs in Spanish.
"Tu retirada" translates to "your withdrawal" in English.
Some common stereotypes for Mexicans are family oriented, hard working, great foods, Catholic, talented musicians and singers, talented painters, talented actors, green thumbs, and colorful native costumes.
There are also negative stereotypes, especially in the United States, such as the stereotypes that Mexicans are dirty, unintelligent, lazy, all illegal immigrants who take American jobs, "speak funny", have too many children, wear sombreros all of the time, and drive hotrods. Of course, while there are Mexicans who do qualify for some of these descriptors, the majority of Mexicans do not.
What is Spanish word for blonde?
The Spanish word for blonde is "rubio" for males and "rubia" for females.
Is it correct to say hola pequena Nina as a greeting?
It's almost correct: "nina" doesn't exist, the right word is "niña" with a "ñ"
"hola pequeña nina" as in "hello little girl"
It's also correct "Hola niñita"
What does the spanish word gozo mean?
The Spanish word "gozo" translates to "joy" or "pleasure" in English.
What are two spanish words that are borrowed from New World languages?
Tomato and chocolate are both borrowed from Nahuatl.
There is no direct translation for the name "Lyndsey" in Spanish. It would simply be written and pronounced as "Lyndsey."
What is the Spanish translation of the Italian word 'Ciao'?
Hola is the Spanish equivalent of the Italian word Ciao.
Specifically, the Italian and the Spanish terms are greetings. They are viewed as among the friendlier, more informal ways of exchanging "hello" amongst peers. The pronunciation will be "OH-lah" in Spanish and "tchow"* in Italian.
*The sound is similar to that in the English noun "chow".
Does Venezuela have a great music program for young people?
Venezuela is known for its El Sistema program, which offers music education and opportunities for young people. El Sistema has been successful in providing access to music education for children from all backgrounds and has produced many talented musicians who have gained international recognition.
How many countries have Spanish as there first or second language?
Spanish is the official language in 21 countries, making it either the first or second language in those countries. These countries are primarily located in Central and South America, as well as in Europe, with Spain being the original Spanish-speaking country.
'but i am not a boy' in spanish?
Here are a few possible translations:
Pero, no soy un chico.
Pero, no soy un muchacho.
Pero, no soy un niño.
What does the word ba da in spanish mean?
In Spanish, "ba da" does not have a specific meaning. It could potentially be a misspelling or a misinterpretation of another word. Can you provide more context or clarify?
No, Russian is not Spanish. Russian is a Slavic language spoken primarily in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, while Spanish is a Romance language spoken mainly in Spain and Latin America. They belong to different language families and have different grammatical structures and vocabulary.
Traditional Spanish costume features vibrant colors, intricate designs, and often includes elements such as ruffles, lace, and embroidery. Women may wear flamenco dresses with a fitted bodice and a full skirt, while men often wear outfits such as the traje de corto or the traje de luces. These costumes are typically worn for special occasions, festivals, or traditional events.
What does alimentar in spanish?
"Alimentar" in Spanish means to feed or to nourish. It can be used in the context of providing food or sustenance to a person or animal.
What is Spanish for you are not?
In Spanish, "you are not" is translated as "no eres" (informal) or "no es" (formal).
To submit, as in to deliver, is "entregar".
But to submit, as in present/introduce, is "presentar".
