Spanish Language and Culture 10-3Y

1.1 Borrowed Words


We borrow words from other languages for different reasons. Often, people start using words from different languages and these words become officially accepted. We use pizza and perogies without a second thought. As an example, María is Mexican-Canadian and wants to share Mexican food with Anthony - How many of these words are already part of your everyday language?  Click this red link to read this conversation between Anthony and María.

Click on each window below to learn more about Borrowed Words.

Conversation between Anthony and María
Anthony: What are you eating?

María: These are tacos. Do you want to try?

Anthony: Mmm! I like tacos. What’s the green and red stuff?

María: Ah! That’s guacamole and salsa.

Anthony: I‘ve heard of salsa, but what’s guacamole?

María: It is mashed avocado with other ingredients. I can give you the recipe.

Anthony: Cool! I’ll ask my mom to see if she can help me out. That’s not my department!

Both laugh.

María: Look at the piñata on the ceiling. I love piñatas, especially for fiestas.

Anthony: A fiesta?

María: Yes, a fiesta is a party with food, music, and a piñata.

Anthony: What is the waiter wearing?

María: It is a poncho. In Mexico, people use ponchos as sweaters, but, here, he is just wearing it as a costume. I have a homemade poncho too. When it is cold, I use it at home.

María: Well, I have to go. Adiós!

Anthony: Adiós?

María: Yes, that means goodbye.

Anthony: Oh! Adiós, then!

Borrowed Words

As you can see from reading this dialogue, there are items from specific cultures or countries that we don't have in our own culture. It's easier for us to call those items by their original names.

Example

  • el poncho
  • el taco
  • el guacamole
  • la salsa

The Spanish influence is present in our everyday life. There are some words that we hear from Spanish speakers every day. People who speak English learn their meaning and incorporate those words into their conversations, just like Anthony did.

Example

  • la piñata
  • adiós
  • la fiesta

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More Borrowed Words

People start using words from different languages and often these words become officially accepted. You can find them in a dictionary. Other words are not yet in the dictionary but people keep using them.

Example

jeans — This is a word borrowed from English to Spanish. It is frequently used but is not yet in the Spanish dictionary.

Some borrowed words remain exactly like the original word.

Example

Words borrowed from English to Spanish

  • rock (music)
  • rock
  • Internet
    Internet
    Another way to say this is "la red"

Words borrowed from Spanish to English

  • poncho
  • taco

Adapted Words

Other words are adapted and become a new word with a similar pronunciation but different spelling. These are also considered borrowed words.

Words Adapted from English to Spanish Words Adapted from Spanish to English
closet clóset adiós adios
shampoo champú piñata pinata

Borrowed Words vs. Cognates

While borrowed words are those we use from a different language, cognates are words with the same origin or root that have similar pronunciation, spelling, and meaning in both languages. English and Spanish share thousands of cognates. Learning to recognize cognates will help you to understand Spanish - but after this Unit - don't get caught up in the details of which is which - just use them to help you! ;)

Cognates
gorilla el gorila
helicopter el helicóptero
planet el planeta
leopard el leopardo
paper el papel