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July 2006 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

Telephone Vocabulary – Although very often making a telephone call is one of the first things you need to do in using newly acquired Spanish, it is an area filled with idioms.  It’s very important to listen carefully to how a native speaker talks on the phone so that you can get the phraseology. 

There are many ways of answering the phone, and these vary depending on which country you are in.  Bueno (with inflection sounding like a question) is used in Mexico.  In Spain you will hear Dígame.  In some countries you hear a version of hello, Aló.  This is an easy thing to listen for right away, wherever you are.

            Don’t forget to start your communication with a polite greeting of Buenos días or whatever time of day is appropriate.  The next issue is to identify yourself.  Forget about “this is so and so”.  To identify yourself, either say Soy John Smith or even better, Habla John Smith  (John Smith speaking), and you might add de los Estados Unidos or wherever.  There are many ways of asking to speak with someone.  Me gustaría hablar con…necesito hablar con, etc., but you can get the same idea across by just saying Con el señor García, por favor. You can also ask if someone is there by saying ¿Está Juan, por favor?  You may be asked to reidentify yourself, ¿De parte de quién? or ¿Quién le llama, por favor?  Use the same phrases as above…habla el Sr. Smith or soy John Smith.  You may be asked ¿Cuál es su apellido (last name)?  ¿Cómo se escribe?  (how is it spelled)

            If you have a wrong number, the person will say Usted está equivocado (mistaken).  You can apologize and say Lo siento, estoy equivocado (a).

            The person replying back may say No se encuentra. (He’s not around.)  Then you can ask ¿Cuándo (a qué hora) regresa, por favor?  Or it may be appropriate to ask, ¿Tiene usted el número de su celular?(cell phone) or in Spain – su móbil?  You might need, Repita el número, por favor.  Or Más despacio (slower), por favor, as someone is giving you the number.

            To tell someone you called, you can say Gracias, entonces llamo más tarde, indicating that you’ll call back later.  If you want to leave a message, you say, dígale que llamé, por favor (tell him or her I called) or dígale que me llame, por favor.  Note the difference in the forms of llamar here – llamé with an accent means I called, llame without the accent is the command form asking someone else to call you. Mi número es …..El código (area code) es … 

            The responding person may use a phrase such as Ahorita te lo paso, or Se lo paso.  This is like saying I’ll get the person right away to the phone.  You can respond with Gracias, muy amable (you’re very kind).

            In trying to pass along information or a request, keep your language simple.  A good phrase might be

Hay una demora – There is a delay (this can cover missed flights, change of flights, etc.)

Iba a ….llegar (any other infinitive) – I (or he or she) was going to arrive, pero ahora llego el lunes, el 2 de agosto a las 8 de la mañana  (and remember that mañana por la mañana means tomorrow morning), en el vuelo (flight) #--- de Continental de (from) Houston.  Other needs might be such as Necesito el número de ---, por favor.  Me gustaría hacer una reservación para mañana a las 8 de la noche para 6 personas. 

            A few other miscellaneous phrases –

                        Necesito enviar un fax, por favor.  Nunca recibo el tono de fax (I’m not getting the fax tone.).  Often in Latin America especially you need to alert the person to change the phone to a fax mode.

                        ¿Cómo se marca el número de aquí?  How do you dial from here?

                        ¿Me permite or puedo hacer una llamada (a call), Sería posible usar el teléfono para una llamada local?

                        ¿Dónde puedo comprar una tarjeta de teléfono (card).  ¿Se puede usar (can it be used) en Guatemala para hacer llamadas a los Estados Unidos?  ¿Cuéntos minutos me quedan?  (How many minutes do I have left (are remaining to me)?  

                        Cobrar – to charge a fee, tarjeta de crédito – credit card

                        Gracias por llamar.  Thanks for calling.  Hablamos mas tarde.  We’ll talk later.

            Please do remember to be courteous on the phone and throw in lots of gracias, por favor and muy amable.

Speaking to someone this way will get you much more cooperation in accomplishing your mission.  It’s also common to use a lot of señor, señora, y señorita…as sir, madam and miss. 

Cocina Cooking

Fine Mexican tequila has become quite fashionable, and always remember that it is to be sipped, never taken as a “shooter”.  The finest ones are marked with additional words after the brand name – Reposado (aged) or even more so, Añejo.  Although they are not inexpensive, sipping one of these will give you a whole new definition of this spirit.  In Mexico it is traditional to serve a small glass of tequila accompanied by a chaser drink called sangrita (not to be confused with sangría, the fruit and wine mixture).  There are many recipes for homemade sangrita, as it is not always easy to buy the bottled kind in the U.S.  Here is an easy and tasty one. 

Sangrita       Serve as a side drink with a fine tequila.

Combine equal parts of a spicy Bloody Mary mix and orange juice.  Add to this a small amount of fresh lime juice, depending on the quantity you are mixing.  Serve in a small accompanying glass of the same size as the tequila glass.  Drink, enjoy, and dream that you’re actually in Mexico.  ¡Salud, pesetas y amor! (a traditional toast, although euros instead of pesetas would be more current)

Culture Clips

Have you ever had a travel experience where for the first time you felt distinctly the sense of the “other”, an experience so apart from your own world that it was remarkable.  Visiting a shrine to Maximón in Guatemala was one of those other experiences for me. Maximon (Mah-shee-MOAN), San Simón, or whatever other local name he is called has an estimated 15 to 20 shrines set up to worship him.  Is he a deity, a saint or a devil?  It all depends on who you ask.   Theories are that he is a throwback to a Mayan god, he is an indigenous representation of San Simón, he is a deification of the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado.  Roman Catholic authorities state that he is an unauthorized and outlawed saint.  Regardless of these theories, to many indigenous people of Guatemala he is a powerful miracle worker who has a great fondness for cigars and firewater.  Around Lake Atitlán (near Antigua) is the best known locale to visit one of his shrines, and the one I visited was in the village of Santiago Atitlán.  As I entered the house, through the dimness I saw a mannequin (with very short legs…some say chopped off from chasing women!) dressed in a suit and a large black hat, with sunglasses and a cigar in his mouth, sitting in a chair.  At his feet were many burned down candles, fresh flowers, and there was the smell of incense and alcohol.  Parents with a small child prayed to him in a low voice in a Mayan language requesting a medical miracle for the child.  Other believers who were present felt that Maximon’s incredible powers would give them protection from evil spirits, spells and enemies.  Some were there to ask for wives, husbands, lovers, money, jobs, or just good luck. The worship was a mix of pagan and Christian rituals. As an example, one way in which petitioners asked for favors was to curse, spit, smoke and drink alcohol in front of the figure while the name of Christ was evoked.  Was it a religious experience?  No, but it did make me ponder the idea that there are many unique doors to spirituality, and I certainly have no monopoly on the truth of which ones may be valid.  Was it an authentic experience?  Yes, in an eerie way, and how good it is to be completely shaken out of my own world at times to experience the feeling of being “the other”.

 

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine

Language Link’s Latest

            We are excited to announce that we will be opening a satellite office in Cuernavaca, Mexico by the end of the year.  Kay will head this office.  We will be closer to the action than ever and know that it will enhance service to our students.  Meredith will then head the U.S. office (just moved, same city, but different location), and she is already amazing people with her extraordinary service and attention.  Please note our new fax number and world wide telephone number.  Our 800 toll free number stays the same.

What a wild summer season this has been!  Our number of students is higher than ever, and many people are latching onto the benefits received when they organize a group of friends or other students.  Our new teen program in Costa Rica is a rousing success, and we also have many high school students in Spain’s programs this year. Many students are seeing the benefits of semester long study for the fall, and we have several places where they can get full academic credit for a semester’s work at a much lower cost than most university study abroad programs.

Kay’s recent travels have included Cuernavaca, and in the fall she will visit the Guatemala program, then on a later trip Ecuador and Peru (for a honeymoon to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu!).

OJO (Special Deals)

            Our contest continues for two weeks of free study and housing in Costa Rica. Intercultura has two locations – Heredia in the mountains or Sámara on the beach.  Just enter your name and comment through our contest box on our website.  We will run the contest for several months.

            It is typical for most of our schools to raise their fees each year.  However, many (especially in Latin America) will grant 2006 lower fees if registration is made by Nov 1 for 2007 study.  If you’re planning on studying in 2007, please do consider registering before that cutoff date to save some money.

The International Guide Academy is offering a class (in English) which certifies international tour managers, and it will be held on the alternate campus of SLI in Cuernavaca in February 2007.  It’s a perfect way to enhance your skills through their class, then combining it with Spanish study after the tour manager class. See www.bepaidtotravel.com  If you do enroll in their Mexico course, Language Link will waive your $100 registration fee to participate in the Spanish course.

Rhythm & Book Blurbs

Book – Cellophane by Marie Arana – This is a novel set in the Amazon (Peruvian rainforest) with the protagonist wanting to make paper, and eventually cellophane, in the region.  This is fertile ground for exploring the tensions between European and Indian cultures.  Although the novel is set in the past, it does raise the contemporary issue of imposing western concepts of civilization on other peoples.  It is a very approachable book if you want to taste Latin America’s famed magical realism, but have been leery of heavy prose.  Marie Arana is a book editor at the Washington Post, and her first book American Chica was featured in a past newsletter.

Music – The sounds of Cuba have always been a point of reference for Latin music.  A breath of fresh air is the album “Boomerang” by the Madrid-based combo of Cuban immigrants called Habana Abierta.  Their music has a distinct Cuban identity while getting into funk, rock, balladry and non-Latin Caribbean rhythms.  The last track is an upbeat number called “Siempre Happy”.

Purchase these selections easily through the Language Link Shop .

Been There, Loved That

From a contest entry – I have studied Spanish in Antigua 3 times and can’t wait to go again…though I think I might try another country next time.  For me, Spanish learning will be a lifelong endeavor, combined with the best vacation opportunities.  – Faith Dohmen, Plymouth MN

Becari of Oaxaca, Mexico  - The school was very well organized, very professional but with a personal side as well.  The teachers were extremely knowledgeable, well trained, and good at their job.  Classes were small and appropriate to our levels of Spanish.  It was a wonderful experience!! – Leah Henriksen, Forest Grove OR

CLIC of Seville, Spain (teen program) – Overall I would rate my experience as superior.  I met so many people from all over the world.  I think I improved my Spanish a lot, and I saw so many cool things in Spain.  I loved my teachers and host stay.  It was such a unique experience.  I learned a lot about the culture and traditions and practiced my Spanish a ton. – Mary Corelli, South Salem NY

ILISA of San José, Costa Rica – An excellent experience overall.  Thanks for the preliminary information regarding Costa Rica and other pertinent details.  Hope to do this again in the future.  – Kevin McCabe

PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala - It was wonderful.  I learned more than I believed one could learn, and I had a good time.  So did my daughter.  I can't say enough good things about the school.  In Antigua, Julie, the school director, and Jorge, the family coordinator, were completely competent ... and friendly as well. – Robert Page, Minnetonka MN

Amauta of Cusco, Peru -  I was very impressed with the efficiency and level of expertise at Amauta in Cuzco.  We received excellent instruction. The day in Lima with Luis Calderón (Language Link’s recommended Lima guide) and the weekend in Machu Picchu were highlights of the two weeks.Thanks for all you help in answering silly questions before our departure. – Sue Avery, Baton Rouge LA
Likeable Links

http://www.mayadiscovery.com/ing/life/default.htm - examining the cult of this “saint”

http://www.luckymojo.com/maximon.html - even selling perfume with Maximon’s image!

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/05-07/maximon-the-saint-that-loves-to-drink-and-smoke-santiago-de-atitlan-guatemala.html - interesting account, but many erroneous spellings of Spanish and Mayan words

http://www.culturefocus.com/guatemala_maya.htm - general pictures

http://www.eveandersson.com/photos/photo-display?photo_path=/photos/guatemala/atitlan/santiago/maximon&photo_size=large

A detailed large picture of Maximon

 

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/Meredith Butler, Asst. Director, Language Link, P.O.B. 3006, Peoria, Illinois 61612 USA, NEW Fax 309.673.9221 NEW Worldwide 309.673.9220       SAME AS ALWAYS 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

Toll free: 800.552.2051 World telephone: 309.673.9220 Fax: 309.673.9221 email: info@langlink.com

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