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The Preterite and the Imperfect: Part 1 Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 9, 2007
Ah, the dreaded past tense.Once the Spanish learner comes to terms with ser and estar, they are thrown the curve ball of preterite and imperfect.Here is a quick review of the main uses of each.However, keep in mind that as with any grammar “rule” there are exceptions! The preterite is used when talking about…
The Word América Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 12, 2007
In skimming through TL´s Portuguese Blog I came across Christopher O’Donnell’s excellent article on the word “America” and the controversy it can spark when used incorrectly in a foreign language. This is an important point for our Spanish-speaking audience as well, and a problem I personally faced on my first study abroad experience in Mexico…
Lunfardo: Buenos Aires Slang Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 12, 2007
Argentina is largely a country of immigrants and is distinguished from its Latin American neighbors by its mainly European ethnic roots: according to the CIA’s World Fact Book, 97% of Argentines consider themselves to be of European origin. The majority of immigrants to Argentina, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hailed…
Salsa Verde Recipe Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 24, 2007
I went to a cooking class last year in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico at the “Traditional Mexican Cooking School” and came away with a number of delicious recipes to make authentic Mexican food. One of my favorites is for traditional salsa verde. This recipe is extremely fast and easy, and can be used…
MTV’s “Quiero Mis Quince” Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 23, 2007
Turning 16 is seen as a turning point for girls in the U.S, but for latinas the big day comes a year ealier. The quinceañera, the Latin American version of the sweet sixteen, is for some girls the biggest event next to their wedding day. The day marks the transition from childhood into womanhood, and…
Doing Business in Latin America Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 17, 2007
Latin America is generally known as a region of ubiquitous red tape, where bureaucratic procedures and long wait times to complete them can cause ones patience to wear thin. Yet to what extent does this image hold true in the reality of doing business in Latin America? For some idea of the business climate…
False Cognates in Spanish Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 9, 2007
If it has ever happened to you that you rattle off what you think is a perfectly correct sentence in Spanish, only to have the other person just look at you, head cocked to the side with a bewildered look on his or her face, you are not alone! You may have just fallen…