Archive by Author
Impart Wisdom with these 9 Spanish Sayings Posted by Anais on Apr 29, 2019
Like any other language, Spanish is rich in dichos, or sayings. Sayings represent one of the most charming ways to impart sabiduría (wisdom) to future generations. Sayings are great when learning new vocabulary, getting to know a new culture, and accessing basic truths to be applied in any kind of situation. Additionally, they make you…
Amarillo, azul y rojo: The Meaning Behind Three South American Flags Posted by Anais on Apr 22, 2019
Have you ever wondered why the banderas (flags) of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela are so alike? In this blog I’ll dust off the history books to tell you why. Back in the 18th century, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela (as well as certain parts of today’s Peru, Guyana, and Brazil) were unificados into one huge nation…
How to Speak Spanish like a True “Argento” Posted by Anais on Mar 25, 2019
The inhabitants of Argentina use a peculiar variant of what is called español rioplatense (Spanish from the Río de la Plata), one of the many dialects forming part of the Spanish language as a whole. Besides the most obvious traits of this Spanish variant you probably read about on Jakob’s blog, there is a number…
Venezuelan Spanish and the Plethora of Colloquialisms Posted by Anais on Mar 18, 2019
Languages are much more than what books teach us. For example, English offers a more picturesque repertoire than just OK, no problem, or the well-known “f-word”. Similarly, Spanish—and Venezuelan Spanish in this case—has a colorful lexicon that, if used by a non-native, makes you sound more natural and closer to other speakers. In that sense…
Spanish words of Amerindian origin: A thriving heritage Posted by Anais on Feb 25, 2019
The Spanish language is without a doubt the result of a cultural mixture dating from the 8th century A.C. onwards, from vulgar Latin to Arabic. One of the most important moments for la lengua de Cervantes came with the first European settlements in the Americas, as that contact meant an abundant flow of indigenous words…
The creepiest Venezuelan horror folktales Posted by Anais on Feb 11, 2019
Horror stories abound in our world. And Venezuela seethes with peculiar tales that form part of its folklore for frightening all kind of listeners, no matter their age. In this post you’ll read Venezuela’s most popular folktales that will certainly give you chills. Although there are different versions of each legend, in this post I’ll…
One country, two presidents: an uncertain future ahead for Venezuela Posted by Anais on Jan 28, 2019
Venezuela is going through the harshest political, social, and economic crisis of its history. The once rich nación petrolera (oil country) is now drowning in a deep ocean of misfortune and uncertainty. The current situation dates back to 1999, when Hugo Chávez took power and implemented the so-called socialismo del siglo XXI (21st-century socialism) in…