June  2003 Online Newsletter...sent every other month
Tips and information about learning Spanish and the people who speak it.  Personal attention is what has made Language Link grow, and we value your contributions.  Please send an email to the address above to remove if you do not want to receive our news.  If you or a friend would like to be added to our online or mail list, email us at info@langlink.com.  If you have problems with this format, please let us know.
What's in this edition
Online Lesson, Cocina Cooking, Culture Clips, Language Link's Latest, OJO (special deals), Rhythm & Book Blurbs, Been There, Loved That (reports from participants), Likeable Links
Online Lesson
What is what?
Unlike English, "what" cannot be translated into an all purpose word in Spanish.  It all depends on what kind of what you're talking about, and qué is not an all purpose what. Here's a quick recap of the various differences.
What - meaning a definition:  ¿Qué es un puente?  Un puente es una construcción que cruza los dos lados de un río y que se usa para el transporte.
What - meaning which of many possibilities:  ¿Cuál es su apellido?   ¿Cuál es el número?
    Special note here.  When the "selection" word is used in combination with a noun, you use qué instead of cuál:  ¿Qué número tiene?  ¿Qué apellido es el más famoso?
What - meaning that which:  Lo que es muy importante es la calidad del programa.  Lo que más me gusta es bailar.  Lo que necesito es más tiempo y más dinero.
What - meaning what did you say:  This can have various forms, but the most universally used one is ¿Cómo?  It's like saying how did you mean that?
What - meaning what something is like:  ¿Cómo es la novia de Pablo?  What's Paul's girlfriend like?
Qué- when it doesn't mean what, but how:  ¡Qué bonito!  ¡Qué guapo!  ¡Qué rico!
Qué - when it doesn't mean what, but how far: ¿ A qué distancia está la casa de la escuela?  How far is the house from the school?
Que - when it means who:  El hombre que vive aquí es español.  The man who lives here is Spanish.
Qué - to mean you're welcome:  No hay de qué.
Que - to mean have a nice day when you're the one leaving:  Que le vaya bien.  With a good friend:  Que te vaya bien.  It's like may it (things) go well with you, the equivalent of the English have a nice day.
There are many other times when que (without an accent) is used in idioms:  Hay que hacerlo.  One must do it.    Tengo que aprender más español.  I have to learn more Spanish.  Es imposible que él lo haga.  It's impossible for him to do it.  Tengo más libros que tú.  I have more books than you.  But be careful with the next one.  Tengo más de cuatrocientos libros.  I have more than 400 books.  Notice the de when it's in front of a specific number.
Cocina Cooking
Marinated Manchego Cheese and Roasted Peppers...an easy do ahead summer hors d'oeuvre and a mainstay of Spanish tapas bars. Make this the day before you serve it.  6 servings
1/4 C. extra-virgin olive oil, 4 chopped green oinions, 1 tsp. cumin seeds, 12 small 1/4" slices (about 10 ozs) of Manchego cheese (can substitute white cheddar), 12 three inch strips drained roasted red peppers from a jar, 12 1/2" thick slices baguette type bread
Whisk oil, onions and seeds to blend.  Season to taste with salt & pepper.  Arrange cheese slices in shallow baking dish.  Put a pepper strip on top of each slice.  Pour dressing over, cover and refrigerate overnight.  Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before using.  Top each bread slice with a cheese slice and pepper.  Drizzle with dressing from baking dish.  Place on a serving platter and serve.  Great with a Spanish red wine such as a Rioja.
Culture Clips
    Cultural influences in southern Spain are quite wide ranging, and it seems almost every group came to the party in the beautiful city of Córdoba.  Time and tradition have woven it into a unique tapestry.  It was founded by the Romans about 160 B.C. as Corduba and remained Roman for eight centuries.  A Roman temple, dedicated to the gods of mythology and dating from the first century B.C., still exists.The bridge Puente Viejo, over the Guadalquivir River and still used today, was Roman constructed. Seneca was one of the great Roman philosophers of the time who hung his sombrero in the city.  All that changed in the year 711 with the Moorish invasion.  However, the surrender agreement for Córdoba included terms in which the religious beliefs of the city's inhabitants were to be respected.  This began a period of prosperity in which Moors, Jews and Christians all lived together peacefully.  There is a remaining synagogue which was built in 1314 and is the oldest in Spain.  The Jewish Quarter is a medieval labyrinth of narrow, winding streets of charm and beauty, and it is one of the best preserved medieval quarters in Europe.  Córdoba was the capital of the area called Al-Andalus, a vast Muslim empire which stretched form Spain to Central Asia and to India.  Two centuries later it became the independent Caliphate of Córdoba.  During this time the city was the cultural capital of the Western world with magnificent libraries and a university.  The amazing mosque, the largest in the western world, was built in the city center during this time, and the population was over one million.   In 1236 Córdoba was reconquered by the Christians and incorporated into the Kingdom of Castile, and in 1523 a cathedral was built in the middle of the mosque!  Several hundred years before, however (1328), the Christian Monarchs reclaimed a fortress-residence-palace and called it the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.  The exquisite gardens have a Moorish feel, with the gentle sounds of flowing water.  It was here that Ferdinand and Isabel received Christopher Columbus.  What a cast of illustrious characters!
    Modern Córdoba is much smaller, with a population of about 300,000.  It is a city which finds in its past an emphatic affirmation of life, and there are festivals at every turn.  An example is the prolific patios gardens inherited from the city's Roman and Arabic past and the May Festival of the Patios, where many people enter their courtyards in competition. (Kay says that it was a real delight to be in the city during the May festival, and she was quite taken by the first place winner.)  In 1985 the city received the honor of being declared a World Heritage site by Unesco, as it is such a unique location with different historical footprints everywhere.  (And did we say there's an excellent Spanish school there?)
"When you learn a new language, you become part of its culture.  It actually changes who you are, how you move and speak and see the world."  - Wade Davis
Language Link's Latest
   This is the time of year when unfortunately we have to announce that some programs are closed on certain weeks because the school is fully booked.  PLFM of Antigua has two closed out weeks - July 7 and July 14.  We still have good availability in all other programs, however.
    We have a new program, the Academia Hispánica, in Córdoba, Spain.  This is a beautiful mid sized city, and you can reach Córdoba from Madrid on the high speed train (the AVE) in only an hour and forty minutes.  Every Spanish book in the world must have the pictures of the arches in the great cathedral-mosque there, and the city oozes history and past cultures.  Please see all the information about this program under the Spain section at: www.langlink.com.
OJO (Special Deals)
    ANNOUNCING YET ANOTHER CONTEST FOR A FREE STUDY TRIP!  Our first contests were so popular that we have added another free trip on our website.  Even if you entered the contest earlier, you can enter again by hitting the contest box and entering your information.  This time the trip is for two weeks of classes and homestay in beautiful Córdoba, Spain, the site of our newest program!  Your odds for winning (about 1 in 500) are quite good in comparison to winning a national lottery or being struck by lightning, so please do enter.  We had so much fun informing the first two winners, and they're already planning their trips.
    Special deal in Seville!  CLIC of Seville, Spain, has installed a new rooftop pool in their beautiful school.  To celebrate, they are making a special offer.  Four weeks larger group classes (8 to 12 students), private room accommodation in the school residence (no meals included) and many extra activities included - a Saturday excursion to Jerez including a trip to the sherry vinyards, a welcome drink, an orientation tour of Seville, a guided tour of the Alcázar (Royal Palaces), a sevillana dance class, and a cooking class.  There are also the usual optional cultural classes included, free internet access, and use of the terrace pool (it's more a soaking pool than one in which to swim laps, but the view is great and the atmosphere fun).  This would ordinarily be $1126 without all the extras, but we can offer it for new bookings for this specific course and time length only in July and August for only $1049 including all the fun extras. (This can fluctuate a bit due to the euro's latest dance in the money markets, but not more than 5%).
Rhythm & Book Blurbs
    Duende is a Spanish word which describes the elusive, mysterious emotional state which is part joy and part sadness and which epitomizes the essence of a person or place.  It is a word used to describe the gift which a person has in dancing or playing flamenco.  This book is about a romantic's attempt to learn how to play flamenco and his search for duende.  Duende: A Journey Into the Heart of Flamenco by Jason Webster.
    Paco de Lucía is the premier flamenco guitarist of Spain who often fuses other musical influences with classical flamenco pieces.  Kay had the pleasure of seeing one of his rare performances in Seville, and it was the most moving concert she has ever experienced. The homage to this star was almost palpable in the air of the theater.  His top selling album is titled Entre Dos Aguas.
Been There, Loved 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...
CLIC of Seville, Spain  "I absolutely loved Spain and my overall language experience.  The classes were lively, and my professors were amazing.  Both were always upbeat and willing to help at whatever the cost!  It was the first time I actually enjoyed learning Spanish.  The pre-trip information was very informative.  I encourage anyone thinking about traveling to Spain to do a program like the one offered by Language Link.  I would do it again in a second."  Delynn Davidson, Student, Texas
La Janda of Vejer de la Frontera, Spain  ”Excellent and serious approach, really a delightful and rewarding approach to imparting language skills.  Excellent interation of faculty and students—cultural opportunities enhanced the experience.  Age and nationality differences were stimulating and provocative.”  Alan Gans, Retired Orthodontist, Connecticut
Lacunza of San Sebastian, Spain  “Superb instructors and knowledgeable, helpful administrative staff.  Student body was a diverse mix of age and country of origin.  Accommodation – with Teresa Pilarte in ciudad vieja – great location, food and a 20 minute lovely walk to school.  Thanks again to Language Link for great organization and for providing so much additional useful information prior to the program.  Feel free to use my comments.”  Linda Rexford Khamsyvoravong, Physician, Rhode Island
Eureka of Madrid, Spain  “I rate the Madrid program at the top.  I made good progress.  They are professional, helpful, friendly - just nice people.  Actually, my whole two weeks in Spain was great.  The apartment was comfortable and beautiful and convenient.  They really went out of their way to be helpful.  Thanks for the help with contacting my son, I am very thankful.”  Ted Carp, Judge, Oregon
Likeable Links
http://www.red2000.com/spain/cordoba/
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/08410.html
http://travelinginspain.com/cordoba.html
http://www.virtourist.com/europe/cordoba/Cordoba_Spain.htm
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba.htm
http://www.spainguides.com/cordoba.html
http://goeurope.about.com/cs/cordoba/
http://www.sol.com/cordoba/body.htm
http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Spain/cordoba.htm
    We hope you enjoyed our news. Please visit us at the NEW  www.langlink.com. Or if you like a real voice, call us at 800.552.2051. We're on Central Standard Time with office hours 9:00 to 5:00.
Kay G. Rafool, Executive Director/Marcy Slane, Assistant 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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