Sep. 10, 2008
I pledge allegiance to the flag....
Posted in Cultural notes
 Imagine that you are a school child in Puerto Rico. Scrubbed clean, tummy full from breakfast, and a mochila (backpack) in tow, you make your way into school. You start you day with....
The Pledge of Allegiance.... ¡En Español!
Juro fidelidad a la bandera de los Estados Unidos de América, y a la república que representa, una nación bajo Dios, indivisible con libertad y justicia para todos Here's some help! This is an incredibly cute video of a 6 year old trying to say the pledge first in English and then in Spanish: |
Sep. 5, 2008
Las Mañanitas
Posted in Cultural notes
 In some of the Spanish-speaking world, you will hear the familiar tune of our English birthday song, with the simple lyrics translated. But there are other traditional birthday songs that are popular as well, In Mexico and much of Latin America, you will hear "Las Mañanitas". Let's learn it!
Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el Rey David, Hoy por ser el día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti. Despierta mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amanecío, Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metío. This is the morning song that King David sang, Because it's your saint's day, we're singing it for you. Wake up my dear, wake up, look it is already dawn, The birds are already singing and the moon has set. A couple of notes: traditionally some celebrated a child's saint's day instead of their actual birthday, hence the reference to the saint's day. This song was originally a morning serenade, but is now sung right before blowing out the candles on the cake. Let's put these words to music and hear how they sound: |
Apr. 10, 2008
I know my Redeemer Lives/Yo sé que vive mi Redentor - Nicole C. Mullen
Posted in Cultural notes
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I was just in the mood to hear this song, so I looked it up on youtube. Little did I know she starts it out be singing in Spanish! Ok, this puppy is going on my Amazon Wish List.... Thank you Nicole for sharing your gift with the world. |
Mar. 25, 2008
The Chilean National Anthem
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In this video, a young girl sings the Chilean National Anthem at a New Year's celebration. There is only one small technical problem: Chile is one of the few nations that does not have an official anthem. This song, however, is regarded by most chilenos to be their anthem.
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Mar. 19, 2008
Cristo Ha Resucitado - Christ has Risen
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¡Feliz Pascua de la Resurrección! Happy Easter! The following is a hymn originally written by Charles Wesley. It also enjoys popularity in its Spanish translation, and will be sung all across the Spanish speaking world this Domingo de Pascua/Easter Sunday. It is known in Spanish as Cristo Ha Resucitado - Christ has Risen. |
Mar. 15, 2008
The Mexican National Anthem
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Here is the National Anthem of Mexico. It truly reflects the pride so many Mexicans have in their nation and history. The lyrics are written in Spanish and English so that you can follow along. |
Mar. 6, 2008
The Spanish National Anthem
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Here is the lovely and dignified National Anthem (Himno) of Spain. Want to sing along? Oops, sorry, there are no words! Literally, they can't agree on what they want it to say, so all efforts to put words to this anthem have been ditched. |
Feb. 14, 2008
¡Feliz día de San Valentín!
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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Dec. 24, 2007
¡Feliz Navidad!
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¡Feliz Navidad!
This image comes from Bolivia, and is a great example of Biblical images being adapted to the local culture. |
Dec. 15, 2007
Christmas Vocabulary
Posted in Cultural notes
 Time to put a pinch of nutmeg in your ponche de huevo (eggnog) and practice some Christmas vocabulary!
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Dec. 14, 2007
La Virgen lava pañales - Mary is washing swaddling clothes
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Dec. 14, 2007
The burro from Bethleham
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Dec. 14, 2007
The Church Bells of Bethleham
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Dec. 14, 2007
Los Peces en el Rio - A beautiful Spanish Christmas song to get you in the mood for La Navidad!
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Nov. 22, 2007
¡Féliz día de acción de gracias!
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You may be wondering how Thanksgiving is celebrated in the Spanish speaking world. Actually, for the most part, it is not celebrated. An exception is the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Hispanics in the United States have also embraced the tradition, because what is better than a day off with great food and family togetherness? That translates to any language. Translating Thanksgiving terminology is a little more problematic. Yes, the word for cranberry is el arándano, but you may be hard pressed to find a person in Central or South America who even knows what a cranberry is! So I offer the following list of Thanksgiving vocabulary, and ask you to take it with a grain of salt, a ladle full of gravy, or a dollop of dulce de leche (whichever you prefer):
Here is a lovely lesson idea that will work today or any day of the year - say what you are thankful for! Here is how to say "I am thankful for......."
I'll tell you what I'm agradecida por! Family, food, and sleeping in this week! No field trip tomorrow due to the holiday. Stay home and eat las sobras! |
Oct. 8, 2007
¡Feliz Día de Descubrimiento!
Posted in Cultural notes
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Today the Western hemisphere celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus on western soil. In the minds of Spanish speakers, it is considered the joining of two worlds: both the great civilizations that were already here, and the great civilizations that came across the sea. It was this mix that have made them what they are today. Columbus's name in Spanish is Cristobol Colón. For those who are history buffs, there is a growing belief that Columbus was a Spanish Jew, and that the claim of being Italian was a ruse to hide his true faith. Here is an article explaining this theory. We may never know... at least on this side of heaven! Some of the most beautiful celebrations of Colombus Day occur in the Dominican Republic, where Colombus landed after his first long voyage across the Atlantic. He named the island Hispanola, and is now buried there at El Faro a Colón. His brother Bartolomé Colón founded Santo Domingo, and lived in a palace known as El Alcazar de Colón. (Click "Visita Virtual" for a tour, and work your way down the links under that heading. There is a link for viewing the site in English, however the English version is not yet available.) These two historic locations are now prime sites for Columbus Day celebrations, however it is celebrated across the Americas. Here are numerous exterior pictures of El Alcazar de Colón. Columbus Day is also known is Spanish as Día de La Raza, and Día de Descubrimiento de dos mundos, both of which refer to the joining of two hemispheres to create a new culture. |
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