| Q: Hi Kate. I hear you live pretty far away. How long did it take you to get here?
A: It took us about an hour and a half.
Q: Hola Kate. Everyone calls everyone “mae” here. First of all, how is it spelled? Second, what does it mean?
A: First of all, practically nobody spells it. It's what is called “Pachuco,” that is, street slang. Everyone says “mae,” but it comes from the word “maje,” which is a person who doesn't know anything, who just doesn't get it.
Q: How has the Spanish in Costa Rica evolved if at all as Costa Rica moves from an agricultural-based economy to a service oriented economy?
A: One of the reasons that Costa Rica is a “hot spot” for learning Spanish is that the Ticos overall speak better Spanish than in other countries. Even way out in the middle of the mountains where I live, for example, the people speak a good, clear Spanish. In other countries, people from the “lower” classes (I hate that expression but have no alternative) will swallow their words, leave off endings, etc. so it is hard to understand them. Of course, the movement from agriculture to service also will make a difference, especially in the area of technological language; it is bound to become more educated, to develop more vocabulary, but it is not as big of an adjustment here as elsewhere.
Q: Hi, I'm a student from Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center (CCCN) I have one question for you: Do you think that “broken English” should be considered a language?
A: Language is usage. Anything can be considered, if not a language, a dialect, that is, a variation of a standard language, if 1. It has a grammar and 2. It is in regular usage and always used the same way. For example, so-called “black English” is considered a dialect because both conditions pertain. “Broken English,” however, implies that someone who doesn't know the language very well is speaking. Therefore, unless you had something else in mind, I would never call it a dialect, much less a language.
Q: Hi Kate. Do you think it's easier for a native English speaker to learn Spanish, or for a native Spanish speaker to learn English?
A: Of course, that depends on the person who is doing the learning! The ability to easily learn foreign languages seems to be a talent that some people have more than others, like drawing or dancing. Incidentally, you should never judge somebody's intelligence by this. It is also a cultural matter. American English speakers generally have a harder time learning Spanish than Spanish Spanish speakers have learning English because Europeans are so exposed to foreign languages from the time they are born. I will go so far as to say, however, that it is easier for an English speaker to learn Spanish than, say, Italian or French. I won't go further out on a limb than this!
Q: Will all languages disappear like other indigenous languages? And do you think that the only remaining language would be English?
A: I hope not! Right now, America is king and English looks to be the universal language. At one time, it was Rome and Latin, and look what happened to all that!
Q: Where did “Spanglish” start? You are a Spanish speaker in the United States. You hear certain words all the time in English, so you start to stick them in. Or, you are an English speaker in Costa Rica. It is easier to use the general word “ bodega ” instead of one of the innumerable words for a storage space in English, so you stick it in. And so it goes.
Kate's typing her answer to the next question. Q: Do you think is important to speak different languages?
A: Did you ever hear about the military plane that was shot down over Nicaragua several years ago because no one on board could explain to the ground that they were friendly? Is it important to speak other languages? Is it important to communicate with the rest of the world? Is it important to understand how the rest of the world thinks and feels? Or are we all that is important? You tell me!
Q: What are some of the most noticeable cultural differences you've seen between Ticos and Gringos?
A: I cannot spend two hours here telling you about most of the differences, so I'll give you what I consider the most important differences. In a nutshell, we are very direct, and they aren't. They will tend to beat around the bush about anything touchy, including their intimate relations with each other. In any social situation, they want to “ quedar bien,” that is, come off well. As a result, they will often tell little lies to avoid coming off stupid or offensive. A common experience of the tourist on the street is to ask directions of a Tico, and get the wrong ones. This is because he/she didn't want to come off as ignorant, wanted to please you at that moment. They often find our directness offensive. It still happens to me after 17 years here.
Q: Going back to Alex's question about the term “mae”... Should we as non-Spanish speakers shy away from using slang terms like that? I always worry about using the wrong term with the wrong person.
A: No, please don't use it. It's rather like using “dude” or worse in English. Years back, I wrote an article about how I had found “Pachuco” fascinating when I was first learning Spanish. When I knew Spanish better, I began to find it offensive and ignorant, like listening to someone using “ain't” and double negatives. Say, “amigo” instead.
Q: Buenos días, Kate! I am joining you today as an old friend and a long time fan of your column in The Tico Times. I often cut out your columns to save for just the right moment when I tutor students in Spanish. Your explanations are clear and oftentimes, very humorous, too. Thank you for sharing your work and helping so many to understand the beautiful language of Spanish. My question is... have you ever published your columns in a book or folder form? I am sure I have missed some and would be interested in seeing them all for reference, when needed. Let me know... and keep up your wonderful work!
A: Thank you! I need all the fan mail I can get. Actually, I have approached the editors several times about publishing a book. So far, nothing has happened. Why don't you write to them and make the suggestion?
Q: Hello I am also a student from CCCN, and I would to know: What is the English world for the Spanish fruit “guava?”
A: I published an article about these words. The truth is, I don't know. It's a strange fruit, very like the tamarind, but I have been unable to find it in English. It's probably one of those words like “sour sap” (guanabana) that no one knows. I'll get on it again and mention it in another article.
Q: I asked that question because here in Costa Rica Afro-American people speak “Patua” that is a type of broken English with French and Spanish, so this could be considered a new language?
A: You are talking about “patois.” It is the word that is sometimes used for the English that the black people in Limón speak. It is a French word, but the patois or dialect they speak has no French in it. It is not a language; it is a dialect.
Q: What do you like best about Costa Rica ?
A: I was raised by a Sicilian father and feel at home in any Latin culture. Apart from that, I like the weather, the natural beauty, and, oh yes, my Tico husband. I also loved teaching here more that I did in the States. The kids were wonderful. Moreover, here, people appreciate and are able to hire you for what you can really do, rather than for the certificate you have. I have a Master's degree in Romance Languages, and I was able to teach drama here. It was the best teaching experience of my life.
Q: How can I help some friends from the U.S. when they need to know when to use Ud. and when to use Vos?
A: Don't bother, unless you just love to learn new verb forms! Here in Costa Rica, you can use “Usted” for everything. I tend to use “tu” most of the time because of my Italian orientation. Practically nobody here uses it, but they don't seem to mind if I do. When and when not to use “vos,” by the way, seems to vary according to the person you are consulting. The only sure thing I can tell you is that it is very informal.
Q: Any advice on adjusting to a new culture?
A: Learn the language! But also be aware that culture shock is normal. Someone once said that what you need to survive in Costa Rica is a good book (for waiting in lines) and a sense of humor. Actually, the most important thing to understand is that culture shock exists. If you are going to go live in another country, expect it. Watch for it. When it comes, know that you are not alone, and, yes, laugh at it if you can. Years ago, I went to live in southern France for awhile. I was young and arrogant and assumed that because I had lived in Italy, I would not experience culture shock. For the first month or so, I had myself convinced that I was doing fine. Then one day I came home from the corner grocery store with a bottle of mustard. I couldn't figure out how to open it. My husband came home to find me sitting at the kitchen table dissolved in great sobs. This happened because I refused to accept that I could be so stressed by another culture, so I didn't deal with it as it came. |
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