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"You've got a mancha on your camiseta."

Spanglish: The Rapidly Evolving Language


Image from the recently released film Spanglish.

The Ketchup, a song in Spanglish by "Las Ketchup".

More Websites About Spanglish:
Definition of Spanglish
Use of Spanglish in Spain
Use of Spanglish in the United States


Although Spanglish isn't an official language, it is becoming an important element in communication for Spanish and English speakers. In general, it is a mixture of the two languages used in communities in the US that are near the border of Mexico.



Different Forms of Spanglish:

1. One type of Spanglish is the formation of new words that are partially Spanish and partially English.
For Example:
aerobica (ay-RO-bi-ka) -- dynamic female.
averaje (a-ve-RAH-je) -- average.
boila (BOY-lah) -- heating appliance, boiler.
carpeta (kar-PE-tah) -- carpet.
chopin (TCHO-peen) -- 1. shopping center mall. 2. n., going shopping.
deiof (dey-OF) -- day off.
frizer (FREE-zer) -- refrigerator.
grocear (gro-SEAR) -- to acquire groceries.
jonron (khon-RON) -- home run.
lonche (LONCHE) -- 1. midday meal. 2. food served to guests at event.
marqueta (mar-ke-tah) -- supermarket.
pari (PA-ree) -- a party.
ruki (ROOH-kee) -- novice.



2. Another type of spanglish involves using whole worlds from both languages, but switching back and forth midsentence. This is called "code switching".
For Example:
"You've got a mancha on your camiseta."
This would be translated in English as "You've got a stain on your shirt," and translated in Spanish as "Tienes una mancha en tu camiseta."
"No me gusta el ice cream."
You could translate this as "I don't like ice cream" or "No me gusta el helado."

These sentences combine the two languages, creating unique phrases that only a speaker of both languages could understand.


3. Often, one language is spoken using the syntax from the other langauge.
For Example:
"Te llama para atras."
This Spanglish sentence is translated as "I'll call you back," although in actual Spanish this sentence is gramatically incorrect. Although the Spanish language is used, it is spoken in a format closer to that of English grammar.

The Problems Surrounding the Language:

Linguists, and many speakers of both languages are concerned about one language "polluting" the other, creating one mixed language that will eventually eliminate both languages. Certain people also see it as a problem when people refer to Spanglish as a dialect, because unlike English and Spanish, which had their own regions of origin, Spanglish is simply a mix of the two.


Spanglish Used in Our Everday Lives
    Many songs have been released in Spanglish, including "The Ketchup Song" by Las Ketchup playing on this page. The Mexican rock band Molotov uses Spanglish in their lyrics, and even famous singers in America, such as Shakira, use a mixture of Spanish and English.
    The movie Spanglish discusses the meeting of English and Spanish cultures, and obviously uses both Spanish and English in the dialogue.
    German Valdesm a Mexican comedian, has made a heavy use of Spanglish in his acts.


    The Spanglish dialect is slowly creeping into culture everywhere; only time will tell if it will destroy Spanish or English, become an independent language or disappear forever.

Last updated 4.11.06
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