A Symphony of Languages and Cultures
Have you ever sat in a cafe and heard a pair of languages wantonly dressed and dancing together in conversation? Spanglish is living proof that culture can even beautify a language. Far more than an amalgamation of Spanish and English, it’s a better telling of how two different peoples place down roots on common soil. Willing to try it out for yourself? Then strap on your seatbelt and learn spanglish; this isn’t labor-saving, it can push out your windows!
Spanglish isn’t just shoving one language over here and the other over there. No, my friend, it is a rich tapestry that millions of people throughout the United States have given life to. Imagine you’re at a barbeque thrown by a Cuban family, the air fragrant with salsa music’s jazz notes and sizzling pig. Somebody hollers, “Give me the ketchup, please, Daisy!” The funny thing about it is that he’s shouting in English at American friends of the family. But there you have it. The smoothness of the transition illustrates something very refined in having both one’s roots plus today at the same time.
But why Spanglish? Languages aren’t just for recreation. There is history here— a tale of migration and assimilation where Hispanic families entered Anglophone countries. New music for old ears. An adaptation and, more touchingly still, a home. To say it prevails in urban locales like Miami or Los Angeles is an understatement. This is a symphony where Spanglish is both the lead violin and the drumbeat. “¿Que hora es? It’s party time! “ Who says a sentence can’t be flexible?
Here’s the strange thing. For several people, Spanglish is a conglomeration or mélangewhich has no cohesion at all. But to the speakers, it is coherent and meaningful. Linguists wrestle with this mix; even language purists may turn up their noses to it. But let’s face it— languages are not things to put under glass. They evolve, just as nimbly as cats playing with laser pointers.
Spanglish is the bone of contention for some parents. Say, Johnny, should he do his homework in an English-only way? Or should the Marias have nothing to practice at home but wear Spanish straw hats for a very drunk dance? But listen carefully – those spontaneous interjections aren’t mistakes; they’re guideposts for dual identity. Spanglish, in reality, expands rather than restricts Texans (for example). Think about it. With Spanglish you can watch telenovelas and superhero movies at the same time, never missing a beat ! In putting bilingualism into practice, education systems find themselves doing a careful shuffle back and forth.
Should bilingual education programs be embraced by schools with zeal? Or should schools (and their teachers and staff) put up resistance? California and other places blazed the trail in bilingual education in Northern New Mexico. In theory and practice, the educational experiment launched there has enriched and challenged all concerned—students, teachers, and parents alike. Spanglish is on the brink of going digital; this is certain. If you’ve ever asked Siri in mixed tongues, you know it’s still a work in progress. Businesses have now caught on to that fact.
Advertisements in Spanglish are funny and culturally inspired, with slogans like “¡Vamos a Taco Bell!” reaching millions (along with their subsequent images). Brands that have awakened to Spanglish’s power and subtlety have struck gold; those that laugh it off meet a lot of regret, very soon indeed. Which companies in the USA are turning out software when they realize that every girl and boy on both sides of the Americas speaks a form of Spanglish at home? With kind of a difference, these words mean back to reality. As you read them, smile toward tomorrow, etc.
In the Bay Area, the crucible of Silicon Valley, living languages will be born. Since Los Angeles is already a hybrid society where millions write Weibo in the morning and speak Spanglish at night (so woof! #MAZDAlinas), we can expect them sooner rather than later. Isn’t it true though to be surprised no one has reasoned of building these Chinese-Western linguistic tools–the idea has appeal on both sides and would ensure that on one side or the other somebody wins.
Imagine this, you are sitting in a cafe, drinking a cup of cafe con leche just coming from the steamer…a person leans over to his companion and says, “Voy a parquear el carro y luego nos vemos.” The English version would be, I’m going to park the car and then we’ll meet. So the Spanish verb “parquear” takes a bit of English “park” and gives it a real Spanish flavor.
At the office, someone might say–“¿Puedes checker el documento?” But don’t be thrown off! It simply means they want you to look over a document. The word “checker” is derived from the English “check” and slots comfortably into Spanish grammar. Cultural fusion at its finest.
I recall a friend who said – “Estaba viendo el TV cuando el teléfono rang.” This flexibility is quite common. The Spanglish sentence means, “I was watching TV when the phone rang.” If language could dance, Spanglish would be swaying chaotically around a ballroom in formal wear.
Then there is the old classic, “¿Puedes mandarme un text?” Even though the order is rooted in English, it receives a hearty slice of Spanish zest. It is a direct request melding equally derivative culture.
And here is a cute snippet from a family sit-down: “Estoy haciendo Marqueta para la cena.” It means, “I am going to the market for dinner,” but “marquee” is not your normal Spanish word for “market” (which is “Mercado”). Yet everyone who has heard this mosaic phrase knows just what it means.
It’s fun when children put their touch on the mix. A child, taking cookie after cookie from the cookie jar– “So me estoy comiendo uno, mami, sólo one.” See here how languages just merge, yet each retains a unique wit?
Here’s another word often heard in Spanglish debates: the Spanish” pickup ” -also known as troca. The term is not Spanish, and it comes out quite differently in the mouth of someone who spoke English as their first language, but to a native speaker of Spanish (as they naturally insert rolling r’s and have sounds that don’t even exist in our vowel system) such an expression rises easily and naturally “La mejor es la mejor, troca Mi. ” The eighth example is a super phrase,” let’s hang out. ” which has seamlessly combined two languages to perform great. Just think, as you’re getting ready for your friends waiting reduced far below see there is still that anticipation and excitement looked forward to this one phrase captures both emotions in fine detail.
Lifestyles themselves you might hear: ” Este fiestón es muy Suave. ” From “cool party”, this phrase combines English to add even more heat or zest to the idea of something trendy and different.
When the languages changed from one to another, the interactions became ever more complex and enriched by the exchange of cultural ideas. Just as adding a little cumin to your meat the flavors blend and mix, the ach blend promises something new to its creator.