#CulturalDifferences

No.34 中国文化知多少？How much Chinese culture do you know? ⚠️👀Want to know more about China🇨🇳🆙? ➡️Come to me ✅

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How Culture Shapes Spanish: Part 5 - Conclusion Spanish reflects the many cultures and events it has encountered. Each influence has made its mark on the language. Arabic is a good example. Words like "azúcar" (sugar) and "aceituna" (olive) show that history. When we use these words, it’s like we're touching a piece of the past in our daily talk. These aspects show how Arabic culture has worked its way into Spanish over time, with its influence still visible today. You can see it in cities such as Granada and in the design of ancient buildings. These features offer a view into how deeply Arabic culture has influenced Spanish culture, preserving a bit of that history. Both Spanish and Portuguese are linked by more than just a common set of words. Their accents and speech styles have evolved through their long-standing historical relationship. Trade and exploration between these two countries have left their mark, affecting how both languages sound and evolve. Italian contributions to Spanish go beyond vocabulary, touching on the arts and daily life. Italian words and styles have become a part of Spanish culture, enriching it with an Italian touch that’s evident in music and food. Spanish has evolved through various cultural influences. Arabic, Portuguese, and Italian have each contributed something special to Spanish. This mix of influences highlights how Spanish has evolved and become a dynamic and colorful language. When you examine Spanish, you’re seeing a mix of these influences, showing how our global connections and shared history shape the way we speak. Which cultural influence on Spanish do you find most surprising or interesting, and how do you think it has shaped the way we use the language today? - share your answer in the comments below :)

En este episodio te comparto como creeo mis oportunidades para aprender un nuevo idioma de la forma que me emociona 🦅 🎯Transcripción del episodio Veo el aprendizaje de un nuevo idioma como una gran aventura. Mi forma de aprender es kinestésica, por lo tanto las metodologías convencionales son muy aburridas para mi. Como soy una persona que no se conforma, en la actualidad estoy creando una comunidad en Medellín, Colombia donde diferentes formas de movimiento serán un puente para hacer amigos en inglés y español. Estoy creando mis oportunidades para aprender el inglés de la manera que me emociona "haciendo amigos y disfrutando del movimiento”. Amigos A2 y B1 en español espero hayan disfrutado de este expreso de podcast como el café, nos vemos!.

How Culture Shapes Spanish: Part 2 - Arabic When the Moors were in Spain from the 8th to the 15th century, they brought the Arabic language along with them. That old influence is still hanging around in Spanish today. It’s like a piece of history that you can hear in the language every day. One noticeable impact is in the Spanish vocabulary. Many everyday Spanish words actually come from Arabic. For instance, “azúcar” (sugar), “aceituna” (olive), and “alhóndiga” (granary) all trace back to Arabic. These words were picked up during the time of Islamic rule and have become a regular part of Spanish. It’s like the language has kept these old gems around even after all these years. The influence doesn’t stop with just vocabulary. Some Spanish place names, especially in southern Spain, have Arabic origins. Cities like “Almería” and “Granada” give a nod to this history. And if you check out Spanish buildings, you can still spot Arabic touches. Take the Alhambra palace, for example—its stunning tiles and designs are like a reminder of the past that’s still hanging around, even though the Moors left ages ago. And get this—some Spanish words have this smooth, almost musical sound to them. That’s because they’ve picked up a bit of the way Arabic words are pronounced. It’s like Spanish has borrowed some of that rhythm and flow. So, when you consider how Arabic has influenced Spanish, it’s more than just picking up some new words. It’s like Spanish got a whole cultural upgrade, mixing in a bit of Arabic flavor that makes it even more interesting. It’s like finding out there’s a whole backstory to words and accents you’ve always known, adding a bit of surprise to your everyday Spanish.

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How Culture Shapes Spanish: Part 4 - The Italian Influence Spanish and Italian come from the same language family, but they’ve been mixing influences for centuries. They share a lot because of their Latin roots, but Italian has definitely made its mark on Spanish. You’ll spot this influence mostly in Spanish vocabulary. Words like “opera,” “piano,” and “baletto” have made their way from Italian into Spanish, especially in the art and music scenes. Similarly, “café” and “cappuccino” are Italian terms that Spanish speakers use daily. You’ll also find “soprano” (soprano) and “gelato” (ice cream) crossing over from Italian to Spanish. It’s like Spanish has borrowed these terms to keep up with Italy’s strong presence in these fields. You can also see Italian influence in Spanish expressions. Take “a la italiana,” for example. This phrase shows how Spanish has picked up on Italian styles and traditions, from cooking to architecture. It’s a sign of how intertwined these cultures have become over time. For instance, “espagueti” (spaghetti) and “pizza” reflect Italian culinary influence in everyday Spanish. Similarly, Spanish architectural elements often echo Italian designs, blending styles in fascinating ways, from classic facades to intricate details. Moreover, Italian immigrants in Spain have contributed to the language and culture in more subtle ways. Italian and Spanish have mingled a lot over the years, especially in some communities where the two cultures overlap. This mix has spiced up everything from language to traditions, giving a little extra flair to daily life and cultural events, and creating a rich tapestry of shared experiences. Next time you listen to Spanish music or enjoy a Spanish meal, take note of the Italian influences present. This blend of cultures highlights how different traditions come together and how they contribute to one another. Were you surprised to learn how much Italian and Spanish have influenced each other?

How Culture Shapes Spanish: Part 3 - The Portuguese Influence Spanish and Portuguese are like close relatives in the language family, and their connection goes beyond just being related. Over the years, Spanish and Portuguese have really influenced each other. You’ll notice this, especially in their vocabularies. For instance, Spanish has “fregadero” (sink), which is a bit like the Portuguese “freguês” (customer). Even though the words have different meanings, they show how languages can evolve while still keeping some connections. But it’s not just about words. In places where both languages are spoken nearby, you might hear Spanish accents that have a bit of Portuguese flavor. It’s like a subtle mix of sounds that reflects their long history of interaction. Historical events have played a big role in this linguistic exchange. Back in the day, Spain and Portugal were constantly trading, exploring, and making deals, which meant their languages were always mixing. Spanish ended up borrowing words like “cobija” (blanket) from Portuguese “coberta,” and Portuguese picked up some Spanish terms as well. But it’s not just the words that show their connection. You can also spot their influence in things like food and music. For example, “bacalao” (codfish) in Spanish comes from the Portuguese “bacalhau.” This crossover in everyday stuff highlights how closely these cultures have intertwined. So, when you’re speaking Spanish or Portuguese, remember how these languages have been mixing and influencing each other for ages. It’s not just about sharing words—it's about how their shared history and culture have mixed together and shaped the way we communicate today.

How Culture Shapes Spanish: Part 1 Languages are a bit like people—they’re always changing. Spanish is a prime example of this, full of twists and quirks that make it interesting. Take Chilean Spanish, for instance. I lived in Chile for a while and grew up in Spain, so the difference was quite striking. Many people think of Spanish from Spain as the “official” version, but then you hear Chilean Spanish, and it’s a whole different story. It’s as if traditional Spanish has been mixed with a good dose of indigenous Mapuche influence. They use words like "guagua" for baby and "pichintún" for a little bit, which come from Mapudungun, the language of the Mapuche people. And the way they speak? It has its own rhythm, a bit like they’re following a different beat compared to what you would hear in Spain. Moving on to Mexican Spanish, which has a strong Nahuatl influence, which is the language of the Aztecs. Words like "chocolate," "tomato," and "avocado" come from this old language. It’s like history in your mouth. The way Mexicans speak Spanish has this sing-songy vibe and is full of vibrant expressions. It’s like every conversation is a mini-story. Spanish is more than just words. It’s a mix of histories and cultures, showing how languages shift and grow. So next time you hear Chilean or Mexican Spanish, think about how each one tells its own story from different corners of the world.