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December 2004 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 list, email us at info@langlink.com.
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 – PRONOUNS!

Pronouns are one of the division lines between a beginner in Spanish and someone who is reaching a higher level.  They can be approached very analytically if you put them into categories. If not, you will look at a word like me and not realize that it can mean many different things. Don’t be thrown off by grammatical terms.  They’re just labels to help you organize.

For an organized look, first start with a chart of subject pronouns.  These are the words for the people or objects who do things. Make two categories, Singular and Plural.  Then do 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd persons.  It will look like S 1 – Yo, S 2 – tú, S 3 – él, ella, usted, singular things / P 1 – nosotros, nosotras, Juan y yo (example), P 2 – vosotros (not used in Latin America), P 3 – ellos, ellas, ustedes, plural things, Juan y María.  Use this as your reference point. 

Now make a corresponding chart for something called reflexive (as in a mirror reflecting back on the subject) pronouns – think “self” here, as in myself, himself, themselves, etc. You probably used these right away in Spanish with the reflexive verb llamarse, which doesn’t mean “my name is”, but me llamo, which means literally I call myself.  El muchacho se llama Juan.  The boy calls himself Juan.  S 1 – me, S 2 – te, S 3 – se (can mean himself, herself, yourself, itself), P 1 – nos, P 3 – se.

Then move on to the words which show something belongs to someone, possessive pronouns: S 1 – mi, mis - my (note two forms here because you’re possessing either a singular thing or a plural thing) S 2 – tu, tus (notice no accent), S – 3 su, sus, his, her, your, P 1 – nuestro, nuestra, nuestros, nuestras (watch out for gender of the noun here), P 3 – su, sus, here meaning their and plural your.

Then let’s deal with direct object pronouns.  Think of these in terms of replacing a thing with a pronoun or of people receiving directly an action, such as hitting someone.  I’m going to sell the book (replace the book with an it).  He’s going to hit me.  S 1 – me, S 2 – te, S 3, lo (him, masc. thing) la (her), P 1 – nos, P 3 los, las.

Next go to indirect object pronouns.  Think of these with a “to” in front of them, because someone is receiving a thing.  S 1 – me, to me, S 2 – te, S 3 – le, to him, to her, to you/ P1 – nos, P 3 – les, to yourselves, to themselves. 

And then there are prepositional pronouns – think of these as ones used after para:  S 1 – mí (note the accent), S 2 – ti, S 3 – él, ella, usted (note the subject pronouns just slipped back in, but here they mean for him, her, you/ P 1 – nosotros, nosotras – meaning for us, P 3 – ellos, ellas, ustedes – meaning for them or for you (plural).  Here, watch out for the exceptions of conmigo (with me) and contigo (with you).

So the next time someone asks you what does me mean in Spanish, you can confidently reply…well, it all depends on how you mean it and which words surround it.  But at least you’ll have the mystery decoded.  Make an effort to master these pronouns, as it will move your Spanish ahead with a giant leap.

Cocina Cooking

Give your holiday kitchen a little Mexican flavor.  If you have a source to buy homemade tamales, ask for the special holiday ones which are made with raisins added to the meat mixture, traditional in Mexico. 

With your Christmas cookies, add in some Mexican Wedding Cakes (actually cookies), called Polvorones, from polvo, meaning dust (from the powdered sugar).

Mexican Wedding Cakes

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, 3 C. powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 ¼ C. flour, ¾ C. very finely chopped pecans, ¾ tsp salt

Blend together butter and ½ C.sugar with mixer until fluffy, about 4 minutes.  Beat in vanilla, then add flour, pecans and salt, mixing until just combined.  Chill, covered, at least 6 hours.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Let dough stand at room temperature about 15 minutes.  Roll level teaspoons of dough into ¾ inch balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on lightly buttered baking sheets.  Bake in batches in middle of oven (don’t double rack) until bottoms are pale golden, 8 to 10 minutes.  Immediately gently roll cookies in remaining 2 ½ C. powdered sugar.  Let cool.  Roll again in powdered sugar when cooled.  Will keep for 3 weeks in airtight container.

Christmas Eve Salad – serves 8

2 medium jícamas peeled and sliced, 2 oranges peeled and sliced, 1 jar pickled beets drained and sliced, 1 seeded pomegranate, ¾ C. chopped peanuts, lettuce leafs.  Vinaigrette – 6 T. olive oil, 3 T. cider vinegar, 1 tsp. honey, salt and pepper.

Arrange circle of jícama around the edge of a large round serving platter rimmed with lettuce leafs, then the orange slices, and next, beet slices in the center.

Mix all ingredients for dressing.  Blend well.  Drizzle over salad and sprinkle with peanuts and pomegranate seeds.  Beautiful!

Culture Clips

Even before sunrise, I was awake to catch the early morning train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, Peru.  Excitement made sleeping difficult, as the reality that I was going to see something I had only dreamed of for such a long time, made my heart beat faster with anticipation – Machu Picchu!  It had taken me over 50 years to make it, but I kept thinking of James Michener’s _expression of his life regret that he had never seen it and never would in his later years due to a heart condition.  I was so grateful that I would not have that sad regret.  Machu Picchu is probably one of the most photographed places on the globe, and all the phrases - the crown jewel in the clouds, the secret city lost in time, Hiram Bingham’s incredible discovery– were repeating in my head.  Our train had large windows across the front, and what luck! Ours were in the first row, so the scenic views were unobstructed.  As a traveler who always does her homework, I knew that Machu Picchu was at a lower elevation than Cusco, a fact which surprises many people.  All the zigzags and switchbacks the train had to maneuver were also expected, as moving a train around the Andes requires great imagination.  As the engine sped along, the amazing achievements of the Inca Empire moved me mentally in time with the wheels.  Pachacuti, the premier emperor, had created a network extending into three countries, and the architectural skill of his buildings still impresses.  In Cusco I had seen an original Inca wall illuminated, as I strolled to dinner one evening.  The slight curve of each carefully fitted stone seemed to make the wall come alive, with a sensuousness I had never previously associated with a rock.  What would an entire city with structures where 1200 people had lived be like?  All the theories of why the city was built also were in a flurry of my mind.  I had read everything postulating it was a place for sacrificial virgins to a landing place for UFO’s, but still felt comfortable with the most widely accepted theory that it was a country retreat for Pachacuti and his entourage, sort of a Camp David for the Inca “president”.  As the train pulled into Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the mountain, I remarked that I had never been in a town before which substituted a railroad track for a main street.  Once off the train we boarded a bus to take us up to the site, on a road with innumerable bends and twists.  A touch of the Inca past, as well as some youthful ingenuity, came forth when a 10 year old boy dressed as a chasqui, an Inca runner, appeared and then reappeared at the next turn, by running through a shortcut.  He made sure you noticed him as the bus came around the bend, and it was impossible not to reward his entrepreneurial skill with some soles at the end of the trip.  Hiking boots on my feet, sun hat on my head, and pages from three guidebooks stuffed in my bag, I started the walk toward the site.  The path was bordered by wild orchid plants, and the warmer air was a delight after the early morning chill of Cusco.  Then we turned a corner, and there it was!  With difficulty shaking the feeling that I was in a movie set, I moved ahead to explore and climbed the first of many, many steps.  The physical impact of the setting was absolutely stunning.  Never before had I experienced such beauty of geographical harmony.  Miles below I could both see and hear the rush of the river, and the soaring mountains cradled the exquisitely crafted buildings.  The sky was a deep blue, and clouds drifted lazily over the tops of the mountains.  As I further explored the site and looked out through the window of the gatekeeper’s house, a rainbow appeared.  Although I learned that rainbows are not an uncommon occurrence there, that particular one provided one more touch of enchantment.  The guide’s explanations of the buildings was quite good, and I learned even more about The Hitching Post of the Sun, as the sun was of prime importance to Inca philosophy.  Reluctantly I left the site as the bus made its last trip of the day down the mountain.  Spending the night in the unique town of Aguas Calientes was both amusing and interesting.  As a reminder of a splendid day I bought a chess set where the two sides were depicted as the Incas (even with a llama figure) and the Spanish conquistadores.  It brought to mind that the Spaniards never did find Machu Picchu, and it only emerged in 1911…so long shrouded in mystery.  The next morning allowed a return to the site for a more indepth exploration.  Just between us, however, I confess that I overslept and didn’t quite make it to see the sun rise at Machu Picchu.  That’s the one part which is still in my imagination!

Language Link has a new study program in Cusco which combines a trip to Machu Picchu.  Go to the Peru section of www.langlink.com. for costs and description. 

Travel has made me aware that the things one reads in the newspaper and the things one sees on television are very superficial indications of what’s really going on – like Indonesian shadow puppets that give an outline of the world and its people but don’t give any sense of depth.  I strongly believe that launching yourself into the world, putting yourself face to face with other people, on their turf, where you have to account for yourself on unfamiliar terms, is a noble way to live and to move ahead as a human being.  – Jeff Greenwald

Language Link’s Latest

Many groups are heading out soon – Austin College to Seville and to Costa Rica, Lindenwood College to Costa Rica, Cabrillo College to Guatemala, as well as a large hospital group from Minnesota going back to Antigua for a third time.

 

Study in Peru including a Machu Picchu overnight trip with a two week program with four hours daily of private Spanish classes.  On Saturday, you will travel by train to Machu Picchu.  This trip includes roundtrip train ticket, transfer to the Cusco train station, bus ticket to the site, guided tour and entrance fee to Machu Picchu, transfer from the train station to hotel, one night hotel in Aguas Calientes.  Staying over night will allow you a second full day at the site.  The cost of classes and trip is $561 for 2 weeks, and you can add family stay for $228. 

 

Don’t let your winter pass without some Spanish or Latin American sun.  January, February and March are wonderful months for study.  But it’s not even too late to go to a special Christmas program in the following schools. San Sebastián has a special program Dec 20 – Jan 1.  Among the activities are a welcome party, an entry in the Christmas Lottery, a tour of San Sebastián, a dinner and visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, a trip to Fuenterrabia, skiing in the Pyrenees, and a New Year’s Eve dinner party.  Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, offers special cultural activities during their Christmas course starting December 20.  Cusco has an added Christmas course for two weeks with 14 hours of cultural activities and including a Christmas dinner with a Peruvian family.   Almost all our schools are open with regular programs during the holidays, also.  

OJO (Special Deals).

Delta Airlines is starting direct flights to Buenos Aires from Atlanta on Dec. 1.  They’re even offering double miles for the route!

 

There’s one last chance to enter your name for a free study trip to Spain.  We’ll draw the name for our two week trip of classes and school apartment in sunny Seville in early February.  Go to the contest box on our website, enter your name, a brief comment, then cross your fingers!

 

Do the Christmas course in San Sebastian and get a free day’s lodging on Jan 1 (they figure you’ll need it after the New Year’s Eve party!).

 

Eureka of Madrid is offering a 15% discount on group or private classes between Dec 13 and January 14.  This is a very good school with small classes.  Two weeks of group classes would be $424, a super price for Spain. They also have very nice school apartments right in the heart of Madrid.  Please contact us about this special offer.

Rhythm & Book Blurbs

Recommended CD for Christmas music in Spanish – Navidad en las Americas, by various artists.  It’s an album with clearly deciphered words for listening and liner notes for reading. 

American Chica Two Worlds, One Childhood – by Marie Arana, a memoir of a bicultural childhood (Peruvian father, American mother) which captures the nuances of relationships in two diverse cultures.  It is a delightful book, full of larger-than-life characters and stranger than fiction situations. 

And yet another recommendation of a book by a personal friend, a British-born geographer, available in both English and Spanish

Western Mexico, A Traveller’s Treasury, El Occidente de Mexico: un tesoro para el viajero – by Tony Burton.  Both available at www.sombrerobooks.com

Much beyond a guide book, this is an authoritative discovery including maps, history, archaeology, unusual sights and wonders.

Been There, Loved That

PLFM, Antigua, Guatemala.  The school was great and exceeded my expectations.  The atmosphere was beautiful and learning friendly.  The professors are also excellent. Melissa Swan, Student, Wisconsin

Seville, Spain. LOVED the CLIC course in Sevilla, would go back in a second…great staff, great teachers.  Lisa Fidler, California

Oaxaca City, Mexico. I had my first study abroad experience last year in Oaxaca, Mexico at the age of 31.  Making my plans through Language Link was easy and reassuring.  I learned a lot of Spanish and had a truly life changing experience. Emlea Chanslor, Texas

Cusco, Peru.  I studied at the Amauta School in Peru for 4 weeks last summer and absolutely loved it.  The school, the teachers, my family, the country itself and my experiences there were all wonderful.  Golnar Jahanmir, Maryland

       I went to Peru with Language Link in 2000 and it may have been the best trip of my life.  I look forward to the day when I can book another Language Link adventure!   Mia Henry, Educator, Illinois

Cuernavaca, Mexico. As a teacher myself, the classes were engaging, small enough to receive a lot of individual help, and mostly well planned.  The books and materials that the school offered are excellent.  The excursions were well planned and they arranged for very good guides at each location.  Kate Kelly, Teacher, Minnesota

A compliment for our news.  Your website and newsletter are set up wonderfully.  Thank you for rejuvenating my interest in learning Spanish.  Kim Callens, Minnesota

Likeable Links 

http://www.heathmont.net/machu/  A detailed account by someone who hiked the Inca trail to complete his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

http://away.com/gorp/location/latamer/peru/machu.htm  How they Kept the Secret of Machu Picchu

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1880611.stm  Peru's new Machu Picchu, another discovery

http://www.labyrinthina.com/bingham.htm  Some details about the discovery of Machu Picchu

http://www.peru-machu-picchu.com  A virtual tour of the site (not for those with slow internet connections)

http://www.peru.org.pe   General information about Peru

 

Happy holidays, and we hope you enjoyed our news. Please visit us at www.langlink.com. Or if you like a real voice, call us at 800.552.2051. We're on Central Time with office hours 9:00 to 5:00.  
Kay G. Rafool, Exec. Director/Christina Henderson, Asst. Director, Language Link, P.O.B. 3006, Peoria, Illinois 61612 USA, Fax 309.692.2926 Worldwide 309.692.2961 Toll free 800.552.2051
info@langlink.com ¡Hasta luego!

Contact Language Link: Kay Godfrey, Director Latin American Office Meredith Butler, Director US Office 2008 W Kellogg Avenue West Peoria, IL 61604 USA

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