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Random Code-Switching (Spanglish)

Hey everybody.

I was reading a few threads and I just have to vent.

It absolutely pisses me off when people use code-switching (aka Spanglish) in weird ways.

I have noticed (both on this page and in real life) that this is mostly done by people with little or no knowledge of Spanish who just want to show off the few words they do know.

For example: "I went to Cartagena with my novia", "I like to go to the bars to bailar", etc.

The proper use of Spanglish is not just inserting any random Spanish word that you might know into an otherwise English-only sentence, especially when there is a perfectly good English word for what you want to say and there is no apparent reason for code-switching.

Code-switching should be used only when there is no appropriate word in the language being spoken or the translation just doesn't seem to express the idea with the same strength that you desire or there is a strong personal connection to the item being named.

For example: "The place was full of traquetos", "That girl was just marraneando her boyfriend" or "My abuelito used to tell me that all the time"

In this last case, one should only use "abuelito" or other names with perfectly good English translations when the person grew up calling their grandfather "abuelito". Some gringo who started his Spanish classes a month ago shouldn't start talking about his "abuelito" because he feels cool doing it.

I feel a lot better now.

I would like to know what the rest of you think.

By william_andrew_channell on Aug 10, 2006, 10:02 in Friendly Talkzone.

william_andrew_channell says on Aug 10, 2006, 10:06:

I left off one... Code-switching is also appropriate when it's between two fully bilingual people and they stick to one language for each phrase or sentence.

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tomtom33 says on Aug 10, 2006, 11:57:

Guilty I have used abuela because it has fewer letters than grandmother. And I have used novia to describe my girlfriend who lives in MDE for the same reason. And I use amiga to describe female friends.

I did start my Spanish lessons more than a month ago since I have lived in CTG for over 3 years.

Tambien soy un gran perro. Disculpeme.

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kaidow says on Aug 10, 2006, 12:10:

Who died and made you dictator?
"one should only use..." "should be used only..."

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kaidow says on Aug 10, 2006, 12:10:

Who died and made you dictator?
"one should only use..." "should be used only..."

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diobahn says on Aug 10, 2006, 12:25:

moliendo café

I think you don't have much to worry about if this really bothers you.
Maybe you should start a branch of Grammar Police and start issuing citations. But please don't start in southeast Louisiana......we enjoy eating nachos con queso while watching a rodéo.....we enjoy eating gumbo on Friday nights........we invite our Nanan and Parran to help us scarf up a crawfish etouffé........I wear a babushka on my head when it's windy out.........and enjoy listening to a balalaika strumming when sipping ouzo and nibbling a bitta spanakoupita.

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Crazy4Cali says on Aug 10, 2006, 12:28:

Well... If your girlfriend is from Colombia, then she is a novia just like if your rolled up flour pancake filled with meat, beans, and cheese is from a Mexican resturaunt is a burrito.

Of course if your elmo, then your novia is a burrita and the rolled up flour thing could very well be his novia por la noche. Who can tell?

Life gets so confusing as you get older.

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famsearch says on Aug 10, 2006, 12:39:

if that's all you have to be preocupado about bill, life is good...
dan

dan

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 10, 2006, 13:09:

I think he's got his head up his culo.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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famsearch says on Aug 10, 2006, 13:20:

lol! i've been accused of that, from time to time...
dan

dan

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pedro says on Aug 10, 2006, 17:02:

LOL c4c! about the burrita novia

que nota!

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moondance says on Aug 10, 2006, 17:32:

William Andrew......fuck you yes we have all been accused of this "spanglish" but for most of us it is a work in process
Let people explain themselves how they feel most comfortable.....get that chorizo out of your ass and spend some time on this website and maybe you will learn something......nobody trying to impress , "solomante todo gentes quieres communicar por conversacion" and ye smy spanish sucks...you happy now asshole......
but how is the world to communicate with assholes like you being the grammar and linguistic police......go find some private school somewhere that will accept you as "king for a day"

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famsearch says on Aug 10, 2006, 17:34:

tell us how you really feel moondance... lol
dan

dan

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moondance says on Aug 10, 2006, 17:38:

hey famsearch just offering my opinion...u think too strong.....dime que tu piensar...oh, sorry , spanglish again

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famsearch says on Aug 10, 2006, 18:25:

thought you might have been holding yourself back just un pocito moondance.

that a technical term strobs? "poo-poo"? lol
dan

dan

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tomtom33 says on Aug 10, 2006, 18:29:

OP Any more questions?

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