Language Link Online

Spanish Language Immersion Programs
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Full details of all programs on our website

January 2001 Online Newsletter
Welcome to our third newsletter! We received many appreciative emails after our first two, so perhaps you like receiving these every two months - tips and information about learning Spanish and the people who speak it. If you have any insights or comments to share with us, we would appreciate receiving them! Personal attention is what has made Language Link grow, and we're real people who like to listen to you. If you have received this newsletter and would like to be removed from our mailing list, please email us at info@langlink.com and put Remove in the subject line. If you or a friend would like to be added to our online or postal mailing lists, email us at the same address.

We deliberately leave out accent marks on Spanish words, as these seem to be read quite differently by various browsers. If you like your information by printed word, we will soon mail our Spring-Summer 2001 regular mail newsletter, up to 11,000 circulation now.  Send us your regular mail address to be included.  We are now including Canada in our postal mail list.
What's in this edition
On Line Lesson, Cocina Cooking
Culture Clips, Language Link's Latest
OJO (special deals), Rhythm & Book Blurbs
Been There, Done That (reports from participants), Likeable Links
On Line Lesson
Usted versus Tu (and don't forget the accent on the subject word, as without it means "your")
Understand that there are many variables in the subject words for "you" in Spanish.  It's handy to think of "tu" as the first name, informal version of you.  Then think of usted as a shortened form of Your Grace, which is what you used in speaking to the king.  Also, thinking of it this way makes it easy to remember that usted is third person singular.  Think of...are you happy, good buddy? as opposed to...IS your grace happy today?  In Latin America the ustedes form is used for the plural (think you all) form of both tu and usted.  In Spain, however, the vosotros form is used for the plural you.  Those are the basics, but you should know that there are many cultural and geographical nuances.  Some countries (Spain) move quickly to tu (using the verb "tutear" or the idiom "romper el turron" (a kind of nougat candy), while in Costa Rica even good friends and family are addressed as usted.  It's best to keep your ears wide open on this one and follow the local lead.  But in general, use usted with strangers, in public situations (clerks, taxi drivers...women can be seen as flirtatious if they address a man in such a situation as tu), people for whom you wish to show respect (a good friend's grandmother, an important position in a company), or to keep a professional distance.  Use tu when speaking to a child, when speaking to family members, when praying (supreme beings are addressed as tu to show closeness), when you and the other person have agreed to use tu or when someone insists you address them as tu.  However, it's always better to err on the side of being too formal than too familiar.
Also pay close attention to learning all the irregular positive command forms for tu.  Most of them are short, one syllable words - hacer: haz, decir: di, dar: da, poner: pon, salir: sal, tener: ten
One possible theory for this is that it makes them very convenient to yell at your children when they are "sacandole las canas verdes", literally pulling out your green gray hair, but figuratively, driving you crazy.
Cocina Cooking
To enhance your Valentine's Day dinner, serve your sweetie a "beso de angel", as served at the famous Las Mananitas in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  Simple - on top of a shot sized glass filled with Kahlua, put a layer of heavy cream.
Sopa de Pollo (to warm up your winter if you can't get to some Latin American sun)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 medium chopped onions (about 1.5 cups), 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 3 cans (14.5 oz) chicken broth, 2 cans (14.5 oz) Mexican style stewed tomatoes, 1.5 cup frozen corn kernels, 1 teaspoon ground cumin (comino in Spanish), juice of half a lime.
Heat oil over medium high heat in 4.5 quart soup pot.  Add chopped onions and chopped chicken breasts.  Add garlic.  Cook until chicken no longer is pink, about 4 minutes.  Add broth, tomatoes and corn.  Raise heat to high, cover and bring pot to a boil.  Uncover, reduce heat to low and add cumin and lime juice. Continue to simmer for 5 minutes.
Soup can be made spicer by adding one can (14.5 oz) of green enchilada sauce.
Can be topped with grated cheese, sliced black olives, toasted tortilla strips, sour cream and diced avocado.  Serves 8.
Culture Clips
Semana Santa (this year April 8 - 15) or Easter, Holy Week, is an icon for which two cities are famous - Seville, Spain and Antigua, Guatemala.  The week is a re-enactment of the crucifixion story of Christ, and it is moving to see historical events seem very alive.  As far back as the 18th century these celebrations were internationally famous as mixtures of spiritual, artistic and emotionally involving scenes.  The events begin with Palm Sunday, and each day brings another procession by a different group.  A most touching one is the children's procession, with little bodies clothed in miniature versions of the hooded garments of the religious brotherhoods. In some of the processions the statues are brought out of the churches and placed on platforms called andenes.  These weigh up to several tons and are carried on the shoulders of the members of the cofradias, the religious brotherhoods.  There is also one which is carried exclusively by women.  In Antigua the early hours of Good Friday are spent feverishly producing street carpets made of sawdust or flowers.  If the procession passes in front of your house, you have an obligation to make one of these.  They are made with stencils, much creativity, and a garden hose to water things down.  Their beauty is fleeting, however, as they only last until the processions march over them.
Language Link’s Latest
If you are a music lover as well as a Spanish student, please consider arranging a study at PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala, around the International Music Festival, held there only every two years, this year Feb 15 - 25.  It is a two week long celebration of operas, quartets, symphonies performed in churches and in the colonial ruins of this charming town.

El Bosque del Caribe in Cancun has now moved to a new and even nicer location in the downtown area, far away from the tourist zone.  And yet the exquisite Caribbean beaches are only ten minutes away!  We'll have new pictures soon.

Also, it's not too early at all to be planning trips to experience the fascinating culture of Holy Week, Semana Santa, in Latin America and Spain.  This year it begins on April 8.  Two of the biggest observances in the entire world are in Antigua, Guatemala, and in Seville, Spain. It's a very interesting time to study!  You can find information on both Antigua and Seville at www.langlink.com, click on the country bars on the left.
Best reason to travel:  "A bird quest.  It doesn’t matter if you actually see the bird.  The important thing is the quest."  George Plimpton

OJO! (a commonly used symbol in Latin America for Keep an Eye Out!)
This will be our corner for bargain announcements.
1.  If you have been to one of Language Link's programs and would like to share your thoughts with us or other students, please write a short article for future newsletters (online or paper).  If we decide to publish your article we will give you credit for a registration fee or registration deposit of up to $100 on the program of your choice.  Please email your submissions to info@langlink.com, or mail them to PO Box 3006, Peoria, IL 61612.
2.  Please check out the prices for our new program La Janda in Vejer de la Frontera on the Costa de la Luz of Spain.  The current strong US dollar is making this program very affordable! See details
in the Spain section at www.langlink.com.
Rhythm & Books Blurbs
Just in time for you to practice for Valentine's Day....the complete words to the classic song Besame Mucho.  Balconies, roses and serenades are optional.
Besame, besame mucho, como si fuera esta noche la ultima vez; besame, besame mucho, que tengo miedo perderte, perderte despues.  Quiero tenerte muy cerca, mirarme en tus ojos, verte junto a mi.  Piensa que tal vez manana yo ya estare lejos, muy lejos de ti.  Besame, besame mucho....

Recommended CD - All the music of Ruben Blades from Panama.  It's considered salsa, but his original music has interesting words of social and political commentary.  A recent album is Tiempos, and it has the lyrics in Spanish.  He's very popular throughout Latin America, and you may recognize him from a few US movies.

Recommended book - The Mexican Shock:  Its Meaning for the United States - by Jorge Castaneda, paperback $10.40, an excellent socio-political analysis of contemporary Mexico, written by a recently named key player in the new Vicente Fox administration.  What an interesting time to observe Mexican government and politics!
Been There, Done That
Our students are so helpful to us in sending in evaluations of the schools they visit. We'd like to share these with you...
    Amauta of Cusco, Peru  "This was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  Everyone at the school was extremely friendly and competent.  The events were structured towards and the atmosphere conducive to meeting incredible people."  Anna Harmandarian, Dentist, California
    Formula SI of Madrid, Spain  "The school did a good job arranging excursions and accompanying the students.  This afforded many enjoyable outings as well as the opportunity to practice Spanish."  John Aten, Director of Finance, Ohio
    Academia de Espanol Quito, Ecuador  "The Anaconda program was incredible!  The school and teachers were excellent.  (My homestay mother) was excellent, very patient and spent a lot of time with me."  Beth Nerney, Cook, Rhode Island
    Intercultura of Heredia, Costa Rica  "The teachers and administration at Intercultura are great and the facilities are clean and beautiful.  The other students were great to be with....My family was very hospitable and patient."  Carissa Ward, Graphic Designer, Colorado

Likeable Links
Everything you want to know about Spain:
www.cyberspain.com
www.travelinginspain.com
Learn about Mexican culture, business and even get a little help with your Spanish:
www.go2mexico.com
Currency converter cheat sheets:
www.oanda.com

That's all for this edition, and we hope you enjoyed our news. Please visit us at www.langlink.com.
Or if you like the sound of a live voice, call us at 800.552.2051. We're on Central Standard Time.
Kay G. Rafool, Executive Director
Language Link, P.O.B. 3006, Peoria, Illinois 61612 USA
Fax 309.692.2926 Worldwide telephone 309.692.2961 Toll free 800.552.2051 info@langlink.com
Hasta luego!

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