In Defense of the Double Negative in Spanish
While some might insist otherwise, in Spanish, double negatives are valid when referring to the absence of people and things
PinPoint Spanish: Insights into Mexican Spanish
Learn about the context and nuances of Mexican Spanish language usage with this PinPoint Spanish series
Learn about the context and nuances of Mexican Spanish language usage with this PinPoint Spanish series
The Seven Deadly Sins Expressed in Spanish
In a day and age when the seven deadly sins are fully operative at home and abroad, it makes sense to include them in the language syllabus
When Saying Sorry in Spanish Gets Complicated
Academic definition of the verb “disculpar” and its use in everyday situations may differ, but you don't need to ask permission about how to express your regret
Animal Names in Spanish: Crowing About Nomenclature
One of the most rewarding, and frequently neglected, parts of learning another language is finding out the names of the different animals
It’s Urgent that You Wait
Mexican Spanish is versatile when it comes to questions of time and punctuality through use of the diminutive term, "ahorita"
Public Rótulos and their Dubious Ortografía
Hand-painted signs and sales boards can provide artistic flair and sometimes amusement, but spelling is not one of the sign-writers' fortés
Tres Tristes Tigres and Other Spanish Tongue Twisters
When Mexicans make fun of Anglo-Saxon efforts at speaking Spanish, they usually focus on the flat r's and incorrect verb conjugations
Hay & Haber—Treading in a Grammatical Minefield
An exploration of the complexities that exist in Spanish surrounding the use of the terms "there is," "there are," and "to have"
Fundamental, My Dear Watson
People who attend conferences in Mexico will have discovered that they aren't much different here than anywhere else...
¿A Donde Hablo? —versus— ¿Quien Habla?
The phone rings when you weren't expecting a call. ¿A dónde hablo? (where am I calling?) comes a sharp, testy voice
Learning to Assimilate Impermanence with No Hay
You'll become familiar with the phrase "No Hay," that inevitably makes itself apparent at some point when something you want or need isn't available right now
The Mother of All Expressions in Mexican Spanish
Mexico's widespread use of a word whose English equivalents have nothing to do with matriarchal figures
