Foreign Native

It’s said that even people who can waltz through a lie-detector test without so much as blinking will stumble if required to do arithmetic in a foreign language.
This probably wouldn’t be very useful for Sherlock Holmes to know in these days of $1 calculators, since it’s rather hard to find anyone who can do much […]

An unusual thing happened the other day. The cost of a Mexico City Metro ticket went up from 2 pesos to 3 pesos.
At less than 25 U.S. cents for any distance, the Metro is one of the cheapest in the world - if not the cheapest - thanks to heavy subsidies applied by successive city […]

For people who object to the double-negatives common in Spanish, there is one area where Spanish usually omits a negative which in English is necessary to make sense. It involves the word “until” - hasta.
The bus won’t arrive until 3 pm, in Mexico would be “el camión llega hasta las 3 pm“.
He didn’t hand in […]

Along with its penchant for polite language, Mexico makes use of a good number of euphemisms.
One example is the use of the verb regalar - which means to give as a present. If asking someone for a cigarette, a Spaniard or Argentine will say “¿me das un cigarro?” whereas in Mexico the usual way would be […]

Cold weather in the temperate areas of central Mexico comes and goes throughout the winter months in a series of “fronts” that bring icy gusts and early frosts for a few days at a time. Then it warms up for some days before the next numbered front makes its way down from the U.S. — […]

November 20th this year marks the start of the centennial anniversary of the Mexican 1910-1917 Revolution. It coincides with the bicentenary of the Mexican Independence, with both expected to culminate next year with major celebrations.
The actual date marks the call to arms by Francisco I. Madero in 1910, as he sought the removal of dictator […]

An exercise by BBC Mundo showed the most annoying expression across the Spanish speaking world is “me entiendes?” - do you understand me? - which certain speakers will inject into their conversation when trying to make a point.
The article, reported on by a local newspaper, drew a rush of web postings sympathetic to the findings of the survey, and […]

A notable thing about Mexico is the great variety of foods and dishes that can be easily identified with the country. Most of the traditional foods are available all year round, although certain dates and holidays are associated with particular dishes.
September, the Mes de la Patria because of the Independence Day, brings chiles en nogada, hot green peppers filled with walnuts and […]

The Mexican government has been getting a head start on celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of the Independence from Spain, and the centennial anniversary of the 1910-1917 Revolution. Preparations are already under way for major events next year.
Among them is the construction of the Bicentennial Monument which began this week with the ceremonial laying of […]

Among the many versatilities of the Spanish language is the use of adjectives as nouns. By adding “el,” “los,” “la,” or “las” before an adjective or past participle of a verb, you get a descriptive noun referring to a person, place or thing.
El veloz - “the speedy” one
La Ventosa - “the windy” place
Los desesperados - […]