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July 2007 Online Newsletter...sent every other month
Tips and information about learning Spanish and about the people who speak it.  Personal attention is what has made Language Link grow, and we value your contributions.  Please send an email if you want to remove your name or add a friend to our newsletter list.
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 
No Suffering with Suffixes
     A suffix is simply a word ending which gets attached and modifies the meaning.  By getting a handle on them in Spanish, you can rapidly increase your vocabulary, often with root words you already know.  The most common one is the equivalent of “ly” in English.  Simply take most adjectives, use the feminine form of it if ending in an o, add mente, and you have a well functioning adverb to describe an action.  Here’s the process for the example of fast or quick – rápido, rápida, rápidamente.  Now it’s turned into the word quickly or rapidly.  Other well used ones:  apróximadamente, generalmente, normalmente, cariñosamente (affectionately), lentamente (slowly). afortunadamente (fortunately)
     Next let’s take diminuitives, intensely used in Mexico.  Ito, ita, or cito (tico in Costa Rica) on the end of any noun makes it small or is a form of endearment.  Momento – momentito, el tequila – tequilito, café – cafecito, Juan – Juanito, amigo – amiguito, amor – amorcito.  Something commonly heard in Mexico is Espéreme tantito.  Wait just a moment. 
     Then there’s something called an augmentative suffix.  These make something larger by adding the suffix ón.  Consider la mesa – la mesita is small, and el mesón is a big dinner table, often the name of restaurants.  Note also that it goes to the masculine form.  La silla, la sillita, and el sillón, a big armchair.  Ísimo is another one used for adjectives, as in muchísimas gracias.  El no es simplemente guapo, es guapísimo. 
     Another area is with English cognates, ones similar in sound and meaning.  Consider:  English – ancy, Spanish – ancia, discrepancia / cracy – cracia, burocracia / ty – dad, probabilidad, libertad / age – aje, voltaje / phobia – fobia, aracnofobia / itis – itis, apendicitis /ify – ificar, significar / ism – ismo, catolicismo / ous – oso, fabuloso
     There are also suffixes which indicate specific things.  És – origin, japonés, francés, holandés / ía – place where something is sold or made, joyería, zapatería, panadería (Be very careful to note that farmacia is not one of these with an accented I and is pronounced farMAcia/ dor – agent or place, comedor, toreador 
    Have some fun in creating these, and make a special effort to listen to how they are used in everyday speech.  They’re said all the time…¡verdaderamente!
Cocina Cooking
Tortilla de Chorizo y Papa - Makes 64 hors d'oeuvres or 8 main course servings.  In Spain a tortilla is not at all like the corn or flour tortillas of Latin America...it's an omelet or egg based concoction.
     1 bunch green onions chopped, 2 T olive oil, 2 chopped medium onions, 4 chopped garlic cloves,1 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 6 oz  diced chorizo (spiced pork sausage), 4 medium yellow (Yukon Gold) or other baking potatoes, peeled and diced, 9 eggs, 3/4 C. sour cream, 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
     Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a 13 x 9 " baking dish. Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over higher heat, then cook onions, garlic, green onions, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper about 6 minutes. Add chorizo and cook about 4 minutes,  Reduce heat to moderate, then stir in potatoes and cover skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Whisk together eggs, sour cream, cheese and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, then pour into baking dish. Sprinkle potato mixture over eggs. Bake until custard is set, about 20 minutes. Cool in pan to warm or room temperature. Cut into small rectangles for appetizers or larger for main course.  This can be made a day ahead, cooled, then refrigerated covered.  Reheat to warm in a 325 degree oven.
Culture Clips 
The Moors in Spain
     Settled back comfortably in the luxurious AVE (high speed train) I am excited to visit our programs in southern Spain.  As I pass through areas of grape vines, orchards and olive trees, the countryside seems very Mediterranean.  This area is the quintessential Spain, and its images are what first come to mind for many people.  It was greatly influenced by the Moors for more than 700 years, and on this trip I’m going to lend special attention to these influences in architecture, music, personality, food and language.
     These Muslim conquerors of Spain were most likely called Moors because they entered Spain through Morocco, but I’ve read that the Moors themselves never used the term.  They were Arabs from Damascus and Medina, leading armies of North African Berber converts.  As they brought no women, most of them married blonde Visigoths.  This created the interesting mix  of the Moorish civilization and touched forever the face and the soul of Spain, especially the south.  In 711 A.D. a Muslim general named Tariq entered Spain with a force of 12,000 men.  Near Cádiz, they met the army of the Visigoth king of Spain, Roderic.  It was a disastrous battle for poor Roderic.  He was killed, his body never recovered, and his army crumbled.  The Islamic conquest of Spain began.
     My first stop is Córdoba, where in 756 A.D. the Arabic capital was established.  Córdoba became the largest city in western Europe and was one of the great cultural centers of the world.  As I walk toward the Mezquita or mosque, I am thrilled to see for myself a place which I have only seen in photographs.  I’m sure I’m not alone in remembering every Spanish textbook I ever had including a picture of this beautiful place, considered the epitome of Moorish architecture.  I enter through the Patio of the Orange Trees and am immediately in what seems to be a forest of petrified stone columns.  The 850 columns of jasper and marble are spectacular as they support Moorish arches.  The beauty is enhanced by splendid mosaics by Byzantine craftsmen and by flowing Arabic calligraphy.  It’s definitely an amazing place.
     As I return to school through the old streets of Córdoba,  I pass many white washed houses splashed with the color of geraniums and carnations.  On most of the doors hang heavy iron door knockers in the form of a hand.  Legend says that this is the hand of the Prophet’s daughter, Fatima, while others say the five fingers recall the Five Pillars of Islam.
     Reluctantly I leave the charms of Córdoba and head for Seville.  Along the way I am serenaded by the sounds of flamenco.  The soul stirring music still traces its moods and rhythms to the Moors and provides a backdrop as I enter Seville.  The romantic in me is drawn to this place, and I think it no wonder that Bizet chose it as his setting for the opera Carmen.  In 1170 A.D. the Moors moved their capital here. 
     CLIC, our associate school located here, has arranged a private cocktail party in the Alcázar, and I have to pinch myself to believe I’m here in this place in Seville on a Saturday night, sipping manzanilla. The Alcázar dates back to the 11th century.  There is a beautiful legend associated with the myriad of peach trees.  The original builder married a beautiful woman from the north.  She was happy as his queen, but longed for the sight of snow.  Her husband ordered the Alcázar gardens planted with wild peach trees, and every spring, even now, the garden is filled with their snow white blossoms.  In 1350 a Christian king (Seville had fallen in the Reconquista) had his own palace built inside the walls.  He used Muslim architects and builders and created the finest example of Mudéjar architecture, a lavish blend of Arab and Gothic architecture.
     My last stop is in a village called Vejer de la Frontera.  It is a place especially chosen by me for our students who want a small, intimate Spanish experience.  There are many villages and cities in this southern strip of land which have de la Frontera at the end of their names.  These were the last domains of the Moors in Spain.  Córdoba fell to the Christian Reconquista in 1236, with Seville following, leaving the Moors only a small area in the south.  The village has the white walls and arched entry gates, as well as an observation tower to alert for the approach of enemies, and it is typical of many of these whitewashed villages on the hillsides.  It's like walking through history pages as I stroll the streets.
     In 1492 A.D. the Catholic king and queen Ferdinand and Isabella sealed the fate of the Moors by uniting Spain and forcing the Muslims to the sea.  The last Moorish ruler, Boabdil, abdicated in this year.  There is an area nearby called the Suspiro del Moro, the Sigh of the Moor.  It is said that Boabdil stopped here to look back and shed a tear over his lost kingdom.  I wonder if he would have cried had he only realized how strong would be the influence of his people.  Imagining Spain without this influence...impossible!
     Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a  
     change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas
     of living. - Miriam Beard
Language Link's Latest 
     We are pleased to announce the winner of our recently ended Antigua, Guatemala, contest.  Congratulations to Sara Brown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She is a labor and delivery nurse who works with a large Hispanic population (80%).  She is very excited to be our winner and plans on taking the trip in January.
     The summer rush is winding down, and it's time to remind you that fall and winter are great times to study in any of our programs.  Most are not at full capacity during this time, and that often means even smaller classes for you.  We will start posting new prices on the website in September, and we expect some costs to rise.  If you register early (in most cases by Nov 1), you can still get 2007 prices for study in 2008.
     Now is the time for group planning for next year.  We organize all sorts of groups, including medical personnel, teachers, high school and college students, and professional groups.  At times, the group is just a bunch of friends, organized by someone who can take advantage of the perks offered to the leader.  Contact kay@langlink.com to discuss group possibilities.
     There are still a few places left in the English taught international tour manager course in Cuernavaca in September.  Language Link grads receive $100 off their tuition.  See www.bepaidtotravel.com. 
     OJO (Special Deals)
    A NEW contest, and this time it's to fascinating Quito, Ecuador!  The Academia de Español Quito is one of our finest and most popular programs.  The winner will have a free two free week study trip (airfare is not included) with four hours daily of private instruction and homestay with an Ecuadorean family with private room and two meals.  Click on the contest box on our website, enter your name and a brief comment, and dream of the splendors of South America.
     American Airlines has a great Latin Sale with good discounts on their usual fares.  Tickets must be purchased by August 6.  Below are a few samples of the round-trip.
From Dallas to Guatemala City, Guatemala  $433
From Los Angeles to Santiago, Chile  $698
From Miami to Panama City, Panama  $478
From San Francisco to Buenos Aires, Argentina $698
From San Francisco to San José, Costa Rica $378
From Washington D.C. to Lima, Peru  $428
Rhythm & Book Blurbs
Purchase these items through our Language Link Shop.
     Music -  La Llave De Mi Corazón is the latest album from tropical music troubadour Juan Luis Guerra of the Dominican Republic. The album centers on romance and love, themes that well suit Guerra's blend of salsa, merengue and other assorted tropical rhythms. The rich, expressive delivery of this artist with a loyal following is always a treat, and words are sung and heard clearly. The standout song is "Si Tú No Bailas Conmigo".   "If you don't dance with me, I prefer not to dance," Guerra confesses to a lover.
    Book – Mexica by Norman Spinrad    This novel by a British author is typical of the current vogue of historically based fiction. The time frame is 1531.  In a small hut on the slopes of the volcano Popocatepetl, one of the conquistadores of Mexico and close companion to Hernán Cortes, pens a reflection of his experiences in the conquest of Mexico.  This is an epic account of the clash of two remarkable men and two great civilizations. 
Been There, Loved That
     Spanish Language Institute of Cuernavaca, Mexico (Executive Program) – The program was well organized, friendly, competent, demanding.  I felt extremely well, felt encouraged to work hard, and got the results I was here for. I had two different private tutors that both were very experienced, very competent teachers, and on top of it, were just marvelous human beings. You simply cannot feel more at home than I did during the two weeks of homestay with Maru and Paco Ramos.  – Stephen Radermacher, International Lawyer and Consultant, Lucerne, Switzerland
     Intercultura of Heredia and Samara Beach, Costa Rica – My experience was superior.  I had a warm and wonderful family in Heredia, who were very gracious and helpful and my quarters were fine.   Everyone at the school  was very helpful and friendly.    My teachers were very good teachers and highly educated. At Sámara Beach, as a woman alone I felt very safe and had difficulty returning home!  Many folks asked me how I found the school and I put in a big PLUG for Language Link.  Well done. – Mary Grubbs, Homemaker, Denver, Colorado
     PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala – My experience was wonderful and superior . Both instructors were well prepared, had good lesson plans, and were conscientious.  By the end of the week, I was hearing just about every word and was getting concepts of what my instructor was saying.  That was one of my goals of this experience.   – Joanne Fitzgerald, Flight Attendant, Cottonwood, Arizona
     Eureka of Madrid, Spain - Madrid was an incredible city - beautiful architecture, incredible art museums, and amazing parks.  The nightlife, too, was outstanding.  The people I met were exceedingly kind, both within and outside of the school.  The school really attracted an international crowd which was great - there were many times when we'd have 7 or more people in a room and each was from a different country.  The instructors overall were fantastic.  They really understood how to engage the students and explain grammatical concepts.   Meredith at Language Link did an outstanding job of making sure I had all the information I needed before my trip.   – Megan Stewart, Recent Masters Graduate, Ann Arbor, Michigan
     CLIC of Seville, Spain (a high school group from Pinkerton Academy) – Overall our experience was very good and very well organized. The students were very pleased with the instructors.  They were kind, supportive, and very engaging.  The host families seemed  to be very nice. – M. McCabe, Department Head, Derry, New Hampshire 
     ECELA of Santiago, Chile – (a group from Martin Luther College) -  It was a wonderful trip. The students rated the school in Santiago as top notch. They worked hard preparing for our arrival. The homestays were very good.  I would return to this school or recommend it.  My individualized class was top-notch...my teacher wrote up a program for me on Neruda that was great.  Professor Paul Bases, Professor, New Ulm, Minnesota
     Spanish Language Institute of Cuernavaca, Mexico – We (a grandfather with his two grandchildren for three weeks)   Everyone at the school was always cheerful, helpful and kind..  It was a wonderful place.  The whole host family was great.  Their two sons were very close to the age of my grandchildren.  Angelina is a very good cook and went to great lengths to be sure we had things we liked, sometimes hard to do with teenagers.  The tours were extremely well planned, interesting and informative. The city of Cuernavaca has so many things to offer. We all had a fantastic time. – Ken Gravitt, Real Estate Broker/Auctioneer, Appraiser, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Likeable Links
http://www.tuspain.com/travel/val1.htm - current day celebrations of Moors and Spaniards
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors - general overview of the Moors
http://www.scienceandyou.org/articles/ess_06.shtml - scientific roots of the Moors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantar_de_Mio_Cid - info about a Spanish hero of the Reconquista
http://www.answers.com/topic/moorish-architecture-1 - Moorish architecture

We hope you enjoyed our news.  Visit us at www.langlink.com
If you like a real voice, call us at 800.552.2051, Central Time, office hours 9 to 5.
Kay Godfrey, Director Latin America Office / Meredith Butler, Director U.S. Office
Language Link, P.O.B. 3006, Peoria, Illinois 61612 USA, Fax 309.673.9221, Worldwide Telephone 309.673.9220, Toll Free 800.552.2051  info@langlink.com
¡Hasta luego!

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