Regional Differences in Spanish

Regional Differences in Spanish Spanish varies significantly from country to country - but the differences arent so extreme that if youre learning a Mexican variety of Spanish you need to worry about communicating in, for example, Spain or Argentina. Questions about the regional varieties of Spanish come up frequently from Spanish students. Many have heard so much about how the Spanish of Spain (or Argentina or Cuba or fill-in-the-blank) is different than what they learned  that theyre worried their months of study wont do them much good. While the comparison isnt completely accurate, the differences between the Spanish of Spain and the Spanish of Latin America are something like the differences between British English and American English. With a few exceptions - some local accents can be difficult for outsiders - people in Spain watch movies and TV shows from Latin America without subtitles, and vice versa. There are regional differences, more so in the spoken language than in writing, but they arent so extreme that you cant learn the differences as you need them. Also, while its easy to think of Latin American Spanish as one entity, as textbooks and lessons often treat treat it, you should note there are differences in the Spanish of various countries in the Western Hemisphere. Guatemalan Spanish isnt Chilean Spanish - but residents of those two countries and many others communicate all the time with little difficulty. If your pronunciation is reasonably good, whether your accent is Castilian or Mexican or Bolivian, you will be understood. You might want to avoid slang or extreme colloquialisms, but standard educated Spanish is understood anywhere in the Spanish-speaking world. Here, however, are some of the differences you may notice: Pronunciation Differences in Spanish One of the pronunciation differences most often mentioned is that many Spaniards often pronounce the z and the c before i or e like the th in thin, while many Latin Americans pronounce it the same as the s. Also, speakers in some areas (Argentina in particular) often pronounce the ll and y like the s in measure (this is sometimes called the zh sound). In some areas, you will hear speakers drop s sounds, so est sounds like et. In some areas, the j sounds like the ch in the Scottish loch (difficult for many native English speakers to master), while in others it sounds like the English h. In some areas, the l and the r at the end of a word sound alike. If you listen to a variety of spoken Spanish, youll notice other differences as well, particularly in the rhythm in which it is spoken. Regional Differences in Spanish Grammar Two of the biggest differences from country to country in grammar are the leà ­smo of Spain and the use of the pronoun vos in some areas instead of tà º (meaning you). Another major difference is that vosotros is usually used as the plural of tà º in Spain, while in Latin American ustedes is usually used. There are also numerous small differences, many involving colloquial usage. Although it may sound unusual to Spaniards to hear ustedes used where they are expecting vosotros, you not need fear not being understood. The Latin American form will be familiar to the Spaniard even though it may seem a bit foreign. Regional Differences in Spanish Vocabulary Other than slang, probably the biggest class of vocabulary differences youll come across is in the use of suffixes. A lpiz is a pencil or crayon everywhere, but a lapicero is a pencil holder in some areas, a mechanical pencil in others, and a ball-point pen in still others. There are also a fair number of blatant differences, such as a computer being un ordenador in Spain but una computadora in Latin America, but they are probably no more common than the British-American differences. Names of foods can also vary, and it isnt unusual in Latin America for the indigenous names of vegetables and fruits to have been adopted. Travelers should be aware that there are at least a dozen words, some of them of local usage only, for a bus. But the formal word autobà ºs is understood everywhere. Of course, every area also has its quirky words. For example, a Chinese restaurant in Chile or Peru is a chifa, but you wont run across that word in many other places. Regional Differences in Spanish Just as the English of Great Britain or South Africa isnt the English of the United States, so too is the Spanish of Spain different than the Spanish of Argentina or Cuba. While the differences in Spanish from country to country arent so great as to block communication, knowing them will make life easier in your travels. Key Takeaways: Regional Differences in Spanish The most significant regional differences in Spanish usage are those between Spain and Latin America.Within  Latin America, the most significant differences can be found in Argentina and some areas nearby, which use  vos instead of tà º.Although the names of some everyday objects vary  with region, the strongest differences can be found in names of foods and in slang. In general, the biggest divisions in Spanish are those between Spain and Latin America. But even within Spain or within the Americas youll find differences, especially if you go to more remote areas such as the Canary Islands or the Andean highlands. Here are the most significant differences you should be aware of: Ustedes vs. Vosotros The pronoun vosotros as the plural form of you is standard in Spain but is nearly nonexistent in Latin America. In other words, while you might use ustedes to speak with strangers in Spain and vosotros with close friends, in Latin America you would use ustedes in either situation. Latin Americans also do not use the corresponding conjugated verb forms such as the hacà ©is and hicistes forms of hacer. Tà º vs.  Vos The singular formal pronoun for you is usted everywhere, but the informal you can be tà º or vos. Tà º can be considered standard and is universally used in Spain and understood throughout Latin America. Vos replaces tà º in Argentina (also Paraguay and Uruguay) and can also be heard elsewhere in South America and in Central America. Outside of Argentina, its use is sometimes restricted to certain types of relationships (such as especially close friends) or to certain social classes. Preterite vs. Present Perfect Tenses Both the preterite and present perfect tenses are used to talk about past events. In most Latin American Spanish it is usual, as in English, to use the preterite to discuss something that happened recently: Esta tarde fuimos al hospital. (This afternoon we went to the hospital.) But in Spain the present perfect is often used: Esta tarde hemos ido al hospital. Pronunciation of Z and C The most noticeable difference in pronunciation of European Spanish and that of the Americas involves that of the z and that of the c when it comes before an e or i. In most of Spain it has the sound of the th in thin, while elsewhere it has the sound of the English s. Spains sound is sometimes incorrectly called a lisp. Pronunciation of Y and LL Traditionally, the y and ll represented different sounds, the y being much like the y of yellow and the ll being the zh sound, something the s of measure. However, today, most Spanish speakers, in a phenomenon known as yeà ­smo, make no distinction between y and ll. This occurs in Mexico, Central America, parts of Spain, and most of South America outside the northern Andes. (The opposite phenomenon, where the distinction remains, is known as lleà ­smo.) Where yeà ­smo occurs, the sound varies from the English y sound to the j of jack to the zh sound. In parts of Argentina it can also take on the sh sound. Pronunciation of S In standard Spanish, the s is pronounced much like that of English. However, in some areas, especially the Caribbean, through a process known as debucalizacià ³n, it often becomes so soft that is disappears or becomes similar to the English h sound. This is especially common at the end of syllables, so that  ¿Cà ³mo ests? sounds something like  ¿Cà ³mo et? Leà ­smo The standard pronoun for him as a direct object is lo. Thus the usual way to say I know him is Lo conozco. But in Spain it is very common, even sometimes preferred, to use le instead: Le conozco. Such use of le is known as leà ­smo. Spelling Differences The spelling of Spanish is remarkably standardized compared with that of English. One of very few words with acceptable regional variations is the word for Mexico, for which Mà ©xico is usually preferred. But in Spain it is often spelled Mà ©jico. It also isnt unusual for Spaniards to spell the U.S. state of Texas as Tejas rather than the standard Texas. Names of Fruits and Vegetables Names of fruits and vegetables can vary considerably with region, in some cases because of the use of indigenous words. Among those with multiple names are strawberries (fresas, frutillas), blueberries (arndanos, moras azules), cucumbers (pepinos, cohombros), potatoes (papas, patatas), and peas (guisantes, chà ­charos, arvejas). Juice can be  jugo or zumo. Other Vocabulary Differences Among the everyday objects that go by regional names are cars (coches, autos), computers (ordenadores, computadores, computadoras), buses (buses, camionetas, pullmans, colectivos, autobuses, and others), and jeans (jeans, vaqueros, bluyines, mahones). Common verbs that vary with region include those for driving (manejar, conducir) and parking (parquear, estacionar). Slang and Colloquialisms Every region has its own collection of slang words that are seldom heard elsewhere. For example, in some areas you might greet someone with  ¿Quà © onda? (similar in meaning to Whats happening?), while in other areas that might sound foreign or old-fashioned. There are also words that can have unexpected meanings in some areas; a notorious example is coger, a verb that is used routinely to refer to grabbing or taking in some areas but that in other areas has a strongly sexualized meaning.

What Allahu Akbar Means

What Allahu Akbar Means Although most often translated as God is great, Allahu Akbar is Arabic for God is greater or God is greatest. The phrase, known as takbir in Arabic, is expressive of a range of moods and occasions in the Islamic world, from displays of approval and happiness to entreaties or spiritual and at times propagandistic cheerleading during political rallies. Allahu Akbar is also spoken during salat, the five-times-daily prayer, and by muezzins as they chant the call to prayer from their minarets. Allahu Akbar in International News The phrase has been tainted by its usage, or rather misuse, by Islamist extremists, Salafists, and terrorists, including the 9/11 terrorists, several of whom carried copies of handwritten letters exhorting them to strike like champions who do not want to go back to this world. Shout, Allahu Akbar, because this strikes fear in the hearts of the nonbelievers. The phrase was also used with political undertones during Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, as Iranians took to their roofs and shouted Allahu Akbar in defiance of the shahs regime. Iranians returned to the ritual in the aftermath of the fraudulent presidential election of June 2009. Common Misspellings: Allah Akbar

Causes of the Civil War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Causes of the Civil War - Research Paper Example These came to be known as the Confederate states, all of whose members were slave-owning states. Barbara Fields, however, disagrees with this assumption stating that, the United States made war on the Confederates not because of the slavery abolition, but because it wanted to preserve the Union (Rios). The Emancipation of all the slaves in the Union was simply an excuse made to start the war that would force the southern states back into the Union. According to Fields, the northern states only declared war on the Confederate states because they not only wanted to preserve the Union, but also to ensure that they did not have a powerful rival. In essence, the northern states wanted to retain their advantage as the leading states in the Union by enforcing their dominance. This situation led to the coming to prominence of two men, whose views on slavery were entirely opposite of one another. The first is Abraham Lincoln was among the biggest proponents of the eradication of slavery in al l the states within the Union as well as the preservation of the latter (Pinsker 59). The other is Jefferson Davis, who was a principal proponent of the institution of slavery and believed that it was a necessary part of the southern economy. While many in the non-slaveholding north supported the declaration, many in the south viewed it as the federal government’s attempt to interfere with their internal affairs. According to Shelby Foote, among the most prominent advocates of this viewpoint was none other than Jefferson Davis, who was a staunch believer in the right of all the states within the union to make their own decision without interference. He believed that all the states in the union had joined it voluntarily, and this gave them the independence to decide what was and what was not best for them. If the federal government were to keep interfering in the domestic dealings of the states, then these states would inevitably lose their sovereignty, defeating the purpose o f the formation of the union (Dawson 592). He is noted to have stated that since all states had joined the union of their own free will, they also had the right to leave it if they felt that their interests were not being represented in a manner to their liking. Furthermore, Davis believed that the decision to end slavery lay with the individual states themselves, and not with the federal government. It is extremely likely that it was because of this stance that when the southern states chose to leave the union, they chose him to be their leader. His vision was to maintain slavery in the Confederate states and to expand this institution south into Mexico as this new slave owning federation grew (Norton et al 384). According to Foote, therefore, the American Civil war did not take place because of the need for the southern states to retain slavery, but for them to be able to determine their own destiny without any interference from the northern states, which dominated the United Stat es at the time (Bolin 38). Many southerners at the time felt that the northern states wanted to enforce their will upon them so that they would remain a backwater and this is the reason why they chose to break from the Union. In the matter if abolition, however, many have come to believe the reasons for Lincoln going to war, who stated that maintaining slavery in the United States would be a

Company report Speech or Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Company report - Speech or Presentation Example It is also setting a new hotel standard for healthy food, as it is the first hotel chain to serve food completely free of Trans fat at its locations. This idea of putting the customer first, and of thinking of them, is what sets Marriott apart. Marriott keeps the customer first it its mind, but also remember what else is important and is working to help the economy to. This worldly mindedness and high standard level is what sets Marriott apart, and what keeps it on top of the hotel world. -I knew Marriott was a successful company, but after doing all the research I did, I now see why. Marriott is different than other companies that just think about the dollar. I mean sure, Marriott wants to make money, but they aren't afraid to take risks for the sake of improving their customer's stay at their hotel chain. For example, they have recently said that all their chains will be non-smoking. To some this may be a risk, for you have the chance of not making smokers happy. However, it helps keep the hotel environment a safe environment for everybody, and they were willing to take that risk. Also, Marriott has recently decided to make all their food free of trans-fat, a decision that was made to help improve the health of customers during their stay at Marriott hotel chains. This is just one of their decisions that shows how they put people, and the care of their customers, first on their agenda. Besides helping out their customers, Marriott is also working to help out the environment. Marriott continues to cut its costs and green house gas emissions, and has set goals for the company to keep improving the standards by which they live and deal with the environment. Marriott is not only customer friendly, it is environment friendly. It is because of all these reasons I believe Marriott contains to dominate the hotel world. As it continues to expand both within the United States, and abroad, Marriott keeps spreading its messages and high standards, offering a great and enjoyable hotel experience for any traveler who stays there. Thank you.

Delegation :: essays research papers

Delegation Human Resources Management Ever watch good delegates in action? They know exactly which jobs to hand and to whom. They know the old talents to tap and the new talents to test. Somehow, they even make the busiest people feel privileged to do even more. Delegating is a management tool that should be used in every company out there. Mark Twain once said, â€Å"To be good is noble, but to teach other’s how to be good is nobler—and much less trouble.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Webster’s Dictionary defines delegating as entrusting authority to another. The key to delegating is the word entrust. When you delegate, you entrust the entire matter to the other person along with sufficient authority to make it work. It involves authorizing others to carry out specific tasks under your general supervision. It forces the manager to be more organized because the supervisor must outline projects, assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and check progress.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are several guidelines to effectively delegate. You must communicate fully the degrees of freedom and judgment you expect the other person to use. Delegate authority as well as responsibility. Your subordinate must have the authority to carry out the responsibilities they have been delegated. Setting performance standards also allows the individual to understand the outcome you expect. Finally, delegate your reoccurring work, and don’t dump. The supervisor must not abdicate his responsibilities, and must understand that the responsibilities are never lifted from his shoulders, and understand that the responsibilities of the results of the unit are still the managers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are five steps to delegation. First you must define the task completely. You then must determine to whom to delegate the project to. The most important step is to provide clear communication of what the instructions are and your expectations regarding the task. The delegator and delegatee must than reach a mutual agreement about the task and any deadlines you may provide. Finally, you must monitor and evaluate the results and provide feedback to let the individual know your thoughts on the task.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Everyone benefits from delegation by having time to accomplish the management duties that often get neglected. This may include long range planning, innovation, and coordination with your work group and representing your work group and its members to higher management. These things don’t get done well when you are heavily involved in the day-to-day work of your section. The delegator has more time for advance skills while the delegatee gains new skills and abilities.

Notes on the Ethical Theories Essay

Immanuel Kant (notice that he lived in the 1700’s and people likely had different views back then), a philosopher, believes that using reason, one can make a list of ethical actions. Kant says that one must generalize the certain action he is about to do to see if it is reasonable. For example, you ask yourself â€Å"should I cut the line in the cafeteria?† The way you can answer this question is by asking yourself â€Å"What if everyone cut the line?† Of course, if that happened then there would be chaos, so you shouldn’t cut the line. This also applies to stealing, murdering, and keeping promises. He basically says that everyone is equal and you shouldn’t justify your actions to yourself because you are not special and you wouldn’t want others to do that to you. â€Å"Treat others as you would have them treat you.† Golden Rule. But, if only you do this and no one else does you are going to get eaten up by the world. This may contradi ct a person’s adaptability and may negatively appeal to emotion; you will feel like a B—-. Veil of ignorance- You have two people who love cake. Tell one person to cut a cake in half but let the other choose which half to take. Again, Golden Rule. Kant says there is a difference between objects and people, you can replace objects but not people. Someone broke my computer, I am sad. He buys me a new one, I am happy. I am about to die, my parents are sad. They can clone me, should they be happy? He also says that you shouldn’t kill people for the greater good. But what if they were murderers or rapists aren’t they causing sadness, and their deaths would in fact be for the greater good? Kant sees that a persons intentions that count rather than the final result. But what if I am helping a person, who is bad and corrupt, against a thief who is only trying to feed his family, quite the dilemma. Kant uses only reasoning rather than emotion so that people always do what is right rather than when they feel like it. Consistency is key to his theories. Criticisms of Kant Moral Absolutism – You can’t always not lie. What if a murderer wants to kill your dad? Your dad hides and then the murder breaks in and asks you were he is. If you follow Kant’s ideas, you would tell him where your dad is. There must be some sort of emotion to counteract those who do not follow the philosophy of Kant. But again, Kant is saying that EVERYONE should do this, and this murderer wouldn’t exist in Kant’s ideal world. Rule worship- To blindly follow rules without using your own knowledge. â€Å"If rules can not be bent, then they should be broken.† Conflicts of duty- should you steal the medicine for your dying wife? Should you save your grandmother from the burning house or the doctor who can save many people? Moral coldness- The world would be emotionless and sad. There will be little space for happiness because everything is going to be so constant and emotions will have a very small presence. Utilitarianism- Seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number. What if you could randomly pick 10 people to die and save 100? Would you do it? You can say yes, because it logical, you use no emotion what so ever. That goes against Kant though because he says that people have dignity and you shouldn’t take that away. You can say no, where you are mostly using emotion.

The Capitol Building A Part Of The American Public

The Capitol Building is one of the most iconic building in the United States of America. Along with holding Congress, the Capitol Building stands as a poster child for democracy. The building plays an integral role in the American public as a whole. From being a piece of symbolism, to having the public design it, the Capitol Building has been a part of the American public since the beginning. The Capitol Building in Washington D.C. has been an integral part of the American public since is design conception 1792. In 1790 George Washington set aside land for the capital, and hired a Frenchman named Pierre Charles L’Enfant to survey to land and design the Capitol Building. L’Enfant refused to design the building, not wanting to have his†¦show more content†¦The design consisted of a center section with a low dome and two wings on either side, and was commended by President Washington for its, â€Å"grandeur, simplicity, and convenience.† [Architects of the Capitol] This process of how the Capitol Building was designed exemplifies how it is engraved in America’s public, as the building is designed by a citizen similar to you or I. The U.S. Capitol building also symbolizes tenacity and hard work, with it’s many trials through the construction process. These trials began immediately in the building process, as two of the three origina l architects were dismissed â€Å"because of inappropriate design changes they tried to impose;†, according to Architects of the Capitol. Construction continued under James Hoban, who saw through the first phase of construction. The work itself was challenging, as the building had inadequate funding, and the materials used often required long travel to reach the build site. In 1803, Congress allocated more funds to build, and Benjamin Latrobe was hired as lead architect, who, according to Architects of the Capitol, was â€Å"The first professional architect and engineer to work in America,†. Latrobe saw through construction of the U.S. Capitol Building, as well as renovation of Dr. Thorton’s design. Latrobe did this until 1813, when lack of funding and work forced him to leave.