Feb. 9, 2010
Terms of Endearment
Posted in Cultural notes
 ¡Feliz Día de San Valentín! Sometimes this holiday is called Día de los Enamorados in Spanish - Day of the Lovers, and alternately Día de amor y amistad - day of love and friendship. So just like in our country it is for some a romantic celebration, but it is also common for friends to exchange valentines.
So... how do you say those three wonderful words in Spanish - "I love you"? What about other terms of endearment? This list should get you started...
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Feb. 8, 2010
Conste, ¿eh?
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: Conste, ¿eh? (KOHN-stay ehy) I'm holding you to it. This phrase defies direct translation, but comes something close to, "That's for the record, right?" If you casually say something like, "of course I'll be there!" or "sure mom, I'll be home by 11", you may get this expression as a reply meaning that your listener is going to hold you to your words. Notice in Spanish that when a question is asked, the ¿? do not necessarily go around the whole question. That is especially true when a little tag like ¿sí?, ¿no?, or ¿eh? is added to the end of a sentence. |
Feb. 4, 2010
Náufrago - Asignatura Pendiente
Posted in música
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Náufrago por Asignatura Pendiente The Wreck by Pending Signature In this catchy pop-flamenco blend, a pop band is stranded on an island after their plane crashes. What to do? Why, get out your instruments, jam on the beach and remember the girl who got away of course! In Spanish, a náufrago can mean a shipwreck, plane crash, or a failed romance. |
Feb. 2, 2010
Fun games to help you learn Latin American geography
Posted in Cultural notes
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Check out these geography games from the Sheppard Software site!
 I found an online geography game that is fun (read: addicting) for young and old alike, and will clear up any confusion once and for all. This entertaining multi-level game goes from a simple tutorial, to crazy-hard challenges like dragging, rotating, and sizing the country with no outline clues. The first couple of levels of the game also help with pronunciation. There are a few glaring and awkward mispronunciations, but most are close enough. Great educational bonus: this page also has games to learn capital cities, geological terrain, and ocean life. Towards the top of the page, there are links to geography games based on other parts of the world, and links to other features on the site. I love it when someone puts together something so fun and useful! My daughter and I found one small glitch when using these games. When you click for a game, it opens in a new window. When you finish that game, it gives you a link to click to go to the next level. We found that this link did not work for us, and that we needed to close the game window and go back to the main menu to get to the next level. Have some fun learning geography today! |
Jan. 31, 2010
¡Eso sí que no!
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the Week: ¡Eso sí que no! No way! This expression is an emphatic, absolute NO! |
Jan. 28, 2010
Profesor Jason explains Indirect Objects and Indirect Object Pronouns
Posted in grammar and language helps
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Last week I featured a video from Profesor Jason explaining direct objects and direct object pronouns. It is only logical to follow that up with his video about indirect objects and indirect object pronouns. Profe Jason offers many more of these kinds of videos on youtube, go check them out! ¡Gracias Profe Jason! |
Jan. 26, 2010
El Himno Nacional de Argentina - The National Anthem of Argentina
Posted in Cultural notes
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Jan. 24, 2010
¡Eso sí que es!
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: ¡Eso sí que es! Yes! This is not a simple yes, but an emphatic, emotion charged, unequivocal, no-holds-barred YES! |
Jan. 21, 2010
Professor Jason explains Direct Objects and Direct Object Pronouns
Posted in grammar and language helps
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If you've been hanging out at this blog for awhile, you know that I am a fan of Professor Jason. He offers an extensive list of videos on youtube to help you with Spanish grammar. I highly encourage you to take advantage of this free resource and visit Profe Jason on youtube. In this video, he explains direct objects and direct object pronouns. ¡Gracias Profe Jason! |
Jan. 19, 2010
A ver como le hago
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: A ver como le hago. (ah vehr COH-moh lay AH-goh) I'll figure it out. -or- I'll find a way. |
Jan. 17, 2010
Noticias de Haití
Posted in Cultural notes
 The news from Haiti has been heartbreaking, and as they say in Spanish, devastadora - devastating. As I've watched the news coverage from Haiti on the Spanish language news, I've caught onto a few words and phrases of interest to the Spanish student:
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Jan. 14, 2010
Living in Sant Cugat
Posted in Field Trip
Once again, I am in envy of a family that picks up and relocates across the globe. I know it isn't all a walk in the park... It isn't all quaint streets...
 cultural experiences...
 new foods and friends...
 or stepping back in time...
 No matter where you are, sometimes the day-to-day is a drag...
 and inconvenient to say the least...
 I know these things, but I still dream of wandering a new land...
 and I never tire of the timeless vistas of Spain...
 These musings were inspired by the blog of a family that went to live in Sant Cugat, Cataluña, Spain in 2005-2006. The blog is short on pictures, but full of interesting and descriptive posts that give you a feel for the highs and lows of relocating to Spain.
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Jan. 12, 2010
Cyber Flash Cards! (and more!)
Posted in Flash Card Activities
 I was a slow and uncertain convert to the Span¡shD!ct website. Check it out here. I was put off at first by the freebie online translator that many of my friends were relying on. I could write a rant about how clunky, awkward, sometimes embarrassing, and outright wrong online translators can be, but I'll refrain. Please do not trust these things to do your homework for you, translate correspondence that you will be sending out, or think that anything you translate from Spanish to English will be accurate. However, I do understand using it if you see something written out in Spanish that you just want to translate and get the general gist of (and take with a grain of salt). But I digress...
SpanishDict has other worthier treasures on its site. I am fascinated with the flash card widget found here. Browse flashcards created by others or create your own. You can even embed the widget you create on a website or blog! A computerized voice will read them, and other than an occasional echo sound, the quality is good enough for you to hear and copy a solid pronunciation. Other features worth checking out are the forums and the dictionaries. The dictionary is downloadable as a free Iphone app... which I would be more excited about if I had an Iphone. There is also a slimmed down SpanishDict mobile version available for other smart phones. Stay in touch with your inner Spanish geek while on the go! (a must for me!). There is an automatic verb conjugator located here. Don't let your students be too intimidated by how many forms a verb can take. Whoever said that Spanish is an easy language to learn clearly never got through first year. I am also fond of the Answers section. Have a doubt? Ask away. And I just can't resist any longer.... |
Jan. 10, 2010
No me gusta el frío
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: No me gusta el frío (no may GUS-tah el FREE-oh) I don't like the cold. (seems appropriate!) |
Jan. 7, 2010
Spanish lesson + Chocolate
Posted in música
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Jan. 5, 2010
El Día de los Reyes
Posted in Cultural notes
 Well, the holidays are behind us, and it is time to get back to the reality of day-to-day life, right? I for one am happy that the tree, Nativity, and other decorations are back in the attic. But one more holiday awaits in the Spanish-speaking world. You see, the Three Kings have journied a long way, and have finally arrived to bring their gifts to El Niño Jesús (The Christ child).
Three Kings Day, known in some cultures as Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6th. On this day, children in Spain get their gifts. Gift-giving on this day is done sporadically in Latin America, because Christmas Day is the preferred day in the Western Hemisphere. Nevertheless, Three Kings Day is celebrated and recognized throughout Latin America, and by many nations with strong Catholic heritage. The signature treat of Three Kings Day is the King Cake. In Spanish, it is called the Roscón de Reyes. If you have a Mexican or other Latin foods market near you, check with their bakery to see if they are taking orders for this succulent holiday treat.  The basic recipe hasn't changed for hundreds of years: flour, sugar, butter, studded with dried fruits, and sometimes filled with marzipan. There are two other key ingredients you need to be aware of: a tiny figurine and a dried bean. If you get the dried bean, be prepared to fork out the price for the king cake - you get the bill. If you get the figurine (sometimes a tiny king, sometimes a tiny baby representing the Christ child) you can look forward to a year of good luck. In some places, finding the figurine means that you get to host next year's King Cake noshing party.
When the party's over, and the last of the sticky glaze is licked from your fingers, it is time to get back to real life. The Spanish-speaking world had been on vacation since mid-December, and schools and businesses get back into full swing only after El Día de los Reyes has been celebrated. I found a great foodie website with an entertaining article about this celebration in Spain. Read it here! A recipe for Roscón de Reyes is also included, if you are a talented and intrepid baker and want to give it a try. |
Jan. 3, 2010
¡Vamos a Empezar!
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: ¡Vamos a empezar! (BAH-mohs ah ehm-PAY-sahr) Let's get started! First school week of the new year... is everyone ready to hit the ground running?
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Dec. 29, 2009
Las Doce Uvas - the twelve grapes
Posted in Cultural notes
 The clock tower in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid awaits an important task on December 31st. It will officially ring in and proclaim 2010 for all of Spain. With each stroke of the bell, people all over Spain eat one grape. It can be hard to eat all 12 grapes by the time the bell is done tolling, but it is fun to try, and brings with it the promise of prosperity in el nuevo año. This tradition has caught on throughout Mexico, Latin America, and as far away as the Phillipines.
As in the US, New Year's Eve in Spain also involves a bubbly libation. Spanish bubbly is called cava, as in the wine world the word "champagne" is reserved for French bubbly from the region of the same name. In Spain, it is common for teens to be allowed to enjoy a glass of cava, and younger children might even get some diluted with a little juice. Here is a charming video of a Spanish family celebrating this tradition at home. They have their grapes lined up and ready to go as they await the tolls of the bell. True to form, they reach for the cava as they swallow the last of their grapes. A shot of the television shows two Spanish TV personalities celebrating, with the famous clock tower in the background. Pop goes that cork - and another new year has begun! ¡Les deseo un Nuevo Año muy feliz, y lleno de bendiciones! I wish you all happiness and blessings in the New Year! See you in 2010! |
Dec. 27, 2009
¿Qué más da?
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: ¿Qué más da? (kay mahs dah) Who cares? What's it matter to you? |
Dec. 27, 2009
Campanas de Belen
Posted in música
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Campana sobre campana,
y sobre campana una, asómate a la ventana, verás al Niño en la cuna. Belén, campanas de Belén, Recogido tu rebaño Belén, campanas de Belén, Campana sobre campana, Belén, campanas de Belén, Campana sobre campana, Belén, campanas de Belén,
Find this and other lovely villancicos at Navidad Digital. |
Dec. 23, 2009
Ensalada de Arroz
Posted in Cultural notes
 This tasty rice salad can be served any time of the year, but makes frequent appearances at Christmas. It is simple to make, and can conveniently be made ahead of time because it is served chilled. This recipe hails from Andalucia, the southernmost province in Spain. (recipe from herdaily.com)
Ingredients
Method
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Dec. 21, 2009
El Turrón
Posted in Cultural notes
 It isn't Christmas without sweets, right? A favorite in the Spanish-speaking world is turrón. This confection has been made for centuries, and is believed to be a varient of a recipe brought to Spain by the Moors. There are two kinds of turrón, one a soft nouget, and the other hard and brittle like peanut brittle.
There are recipes available online if you'd like to try to make it, such as this one. However, I plan to keep my eyes peeled for this to show up in stores again this year. Last year, my local Walmart carried it. You may also find it at places like Trader Joe's or World Market. So which is your favorite, the Alicante style (hard) or the Jijona style (soft)? |
Dec. 20, 2009
Es bien sabroso
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: Es bien sabroso. (ehs BEE-ehn sah-VROO-soh) That's really tasty. This week's phrase is brought to you by arroz de coco (also called arroz con coco) Make some today! |
Dec. 17, 2009
Villancicos
Posted in música
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Beautiful Christmas carols are as much a tradition in the Spanish speaking world as they are for us. In Spanish they are called villancicos, and are sung for caroling, during church, or with family and friends. A favorite and beloved villancico is Los Peces en el Rio: I am borrowing these lyrics from the villancicos section of the Navidad Digital site. (here - and check out all the songs, lyrics, videos, and audio files they have available!) These lyrics may not match the video exactly (I find that people sing these verses in random order), but will give you an idea what the song is about: La Virgen está lavando y tendiendo en el romero, los pajarillos cantando, y el romero floreciendo. Pero mira como beben los peces en el río, pero mira como beben por ver al Dios nacido. Beben y beben y vuelven a beber, los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer. La Virgen se está peinando entre cortina y cortina, sus cabellos son de oro, el peine de plata fina. Pero mira como beben los peces en el río, pero mira como beben por ver al Dios nacido. Beben y beben y vuelven a beber, los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer. La Virgen va caminando por entre aquellas palmeras, el Niño mira en sus ojos, el color de la vereda. Pero mira como beben los peces en el río, pero mira como beben por ver al Dios nacido. Beben y beben y vuelven a beber, los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer. |
Dec. 16, 2009
¡Mazapán!
Posted in Cultural notes
 Mazapán, or marzipan, is a European treat that dates back to the Middle Ages. This versatile almond confection can be shaped in any way, and lends itself to the creativity of its maker. This treat can be enjoyed any time of the year, but comes out in full force in Spain during the Navidad season. According to a product description on Tienda.com: "At the battle of Navas de Tolosa in the year 1212, it is said that the nuns of the San Clemente convent took care of the wounded soldiers. According to tradition, they ground up their stores of almonds in mortars and pestles, and then kneaded them together with sugar to create emergency rations. This type of bread (pan) produced with a pestle (maza) is supposed to have given rise to the name mazapán in Spanish - marzipan in English." In a blog guaranteed to make you hungry, Ellie Barczak talks about buying mazapán in Toledo, Spain. Check out this mazapán bakery in Spain, where they turn out these lovely sweets en masse. They explain that their mazapán is made of crushed, peeled almonds, sugar, egg whites, and water. It is shaped, and then takes a trip through the oven. While being baked, it is sprayed with sugar water so that the tops brown. Once cooled, it is wrapped and ready to sold.  Look for marzipan in specialty stores, or give it a try at home! I got this recipe from www.recipelink.com:
3 cups whole almonds, blanched and ground 2 cups sugar 1 cup water 2 egg whites, lightly beaten 3-4 Tbsp. powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla In a saucepan, heat water and sugar until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil. Let it boil steadily without stirring until the temperature reaches 230-234 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and beat until mixture turns slightly cloudy. Stir in ground almonds, egg whites, and vanilla. Cook over gentle heat for 2-3 minutes or until mixture pulls away from sides of pan. Turn mixture onto a surface that has been sprinkled with some of the powdered sugar. Knead the mixture until smooth, working in the rest of the powdered sugar. Pull off pieces and roll into balls or olive-shaped pieces. Wrap in foil or wax paper and store in airtight container. |
Dec. 15, 2009
The Belén
Posted in Cultural notes
 Influenced by our global culture, you will see some Christmas trees and versions of Santa Claus in Spanish speaking countries. However, the primary and most important Christmas decoration in most homes is the Belén - the Nativity scene. These can become rather elaborate and large, looking almost as intricate and detailed as large train set. The humble manger is expanded upon as families collect figures, buildings, plants, and animals over the years. Many families start with a basic Belén, and add one figurine per year, and often figurines and scenes get passed down in families. Little Bethleham expands to include figures from Spanish folklore, and scenes that look more like rural Spain than Israel. It is customary for baby Jesus to be added to the Belén on Christmas Eve (la Nochebuena) or Christmas morning. In some countries, the Belén stays up until Three Kings Day (El Día de los Reyes), January 6th, at which point the three Wise Men are added.
Let's look at some beautiful Beléns I found on Navidad Digital. I was especially taken with this scene from a Belén that reflects Moorish style architecture found in southern Spain:  Look how elaborate and detailed this portion of one Belén is:
 This Belén is made even more beautiful with lights:
 This Belén takes up a corner of the room:
 Watch out baby Jesus, Herod's castle is just around the corner, and he's jealous of you!
 These charming pictures of Belén scenes from all over the Spanish-speaking world come from a fun site called Navidad Digital. View over 4,000 photos that people have uploaded to the site by clicking here!
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Dec. 13, 2009
¡Bájale!
Posted in phrase of the week
 Phrase of the week: ¡Bájale! (BAH-hah-lay) Turn it down! -or- Quiet down! |
Dec. 12, 2009
Happy Hanukkah!
Posted in Cultural notes
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Dec. 10, 2009
Christmas Vocabulary
Posted in Cultural notes
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