tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53942019638279485242024-03-26T03:50:19.973-07:00LAS LENGUAS INGLESA Y ESPAÑOLA de Delfín Carbonell Gramática, usos, curiosidades, fonética, estilo.Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.comBlogger1968125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-60372866646762735112024-03-26T03:34:00.000-07:002024-03-26T03:34:02.995-07:00RESISTANCE IN LANGUAGE LEARNING<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwdf0QGoKRiziAgI6u0L5tKUjXXwm52m8WUB-8uihNGwEewEyah-qfx2wuMV_CYZgMLr9V7H3w6Eg_aEf2aNvs7tsN-HghO6ecw_4nq4SnLH2RT42cLyNrDaLSNM76tFtoWbDVeYkAqrrWgEVaNQOSQsW-HgqW_-nt7inwdsJTPVDDZEaG7rO3g-6OkKy9" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1482" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwdf0QGoKRiziAgI6u0L5tKUjXXwm52m8WUB-8uihNGwEewEyah-qfx2wuMV_CYZgMLr9V7H3w6Eg_aEf2aNvs7tsN-HghO6ecw_4nq4SnLH2RT42cLyNrDaLSNM76tFtoWbDVeYkAqrrWgEVaNQOSQsW-HgqW_-nt7inwdsJTPVDDZEaG7rO3g-6OkKy9=w200-h132" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We all know the feeling of dismay, despondency, and disinterest that Steven Pressfield calls Resistance (with a capital r) when the thought that we are not getting anywhere grips us and makes us falter. I am referring to any task or endeavor we are undertaking. In our case, it is language learning. In older times we knew this as a plateau, a stage where we hesitate and believe firmly that all our efforts are worthless, that we are wasting our time, and even worse, that we are not up to the project, are not cut out for it. We think that no matter our efforts, we will never accomplish or master anything. Be assured that this happens often (I refer you to The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield) and we must redouble our efforts, say <i>vade retro, satanas</i>, and keep on going. We will learn the language and not let up, knowing that this is a life project and that we are in no hurry. At my age, I still doubt myself, but I keep on tilting at windmills and will struggle till the end. </span> </p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-31200066165512806152024-03-24T02:56:00.000-07:002024-03-24T02:56:53.015-07:00CÓMO SE EMPLEA "THE" <p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH-x8jpVgE0xpulXeFRP2geQCdwSYOrfnJtBkHwqVL_xSVQBMpsIit0uJIP9W028c_5G-bmCZdDeNL7L65SpV_A0xkwvcOpGwiRmLqSUWUUSjH4souPQTEWybdQ1FuLJgW8O99raHgrDPLFU8iUYJxo5Ru01jjkLGnXz-0xpoTJrNZ-cvPFb9Rlep6x9eF" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH-x8jpVgE0xpulXeFRP2geQCdwSYOrfnJtBkHwqVL_xSVQBMpsIit0uJIP9W028c_5G-bmCZdDeNL7L65SpV_A0xkwvcOpGwiRmLqSUWUUSjH4souPQTEWybdQ1FuLJgW8O99raHgrDPLFU8iUYJxo5Ru01jjkLGnXz-0xpoTJrNZ-cvPFb9Rlep6x9eF=w200-h113" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">El artículo THE se emplea en inglés así:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1) Cuando empleamos un sustantivo de manera general no se usa: "Teachers are underpaid" implica que todos los maestros tienen pagas deficientes. "Mexicans are short, women are right, men are wrong..."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2) Cuando nos referimos a un grupo en particular emplearemos el artículo THE: "The teachers (de los que hemos hablado) are underpaid." Y por eso nos referiremos a un grupo minoritario especial, al decir "The Mexicans (que conocimos ayer) are short, the women are right, the men are wrong." Es cierto que los llamados nativos cometen este error en ocasiones. Por ejemplo: "The teachers are not the problem. Parents are the problem." que confunde al más pintado. </span> </p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-44503451136298439692024-03-24T02:15:00.000-07:002024-03-24T02:15:20.717-07:00-ÍSIMO - SPANISH SUFFIX<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXhMeH9PWRgPdVaLhGZReap7W2LLIEUPtZOyiRg8p-RiliLvTftRGm8GSc_rDzTm0SwsLgIsN0934bqutKp4_Af5__shYimKB1gxtM_g0BJn6iTT37p9Llw3GUajpWHcXO1y99pp0qAxPhqd-jW5I98u9vPIzYjkCZ56FiQEkpKtWWVbwuJ80OjzW7gvYe" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXhMeH9PWRgPdVaLhGZReap7W2LLIEUPtZOyiRg8p-RiliLvTftRGm8GSc_rDzTm0SwsLgIsN0934bqutKp4_Af5__shYimKB1gxtM_g0BJn6iTT37p9Llw3GUajpWHcXO1y99pp0qAxPhqd-jW5I98u9vPIzYjkCZ56FiQEkpKtWWVbwuJ80OjzW7gvYe=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Languages solve the communication problems in different ways. The English language does not have a superlative suffix to express exceedingly, extremely, super: This cake is extremely good. This game is super fun. Spanish solved this way of expressing a superlative with the suffix -ísimo (-ísima, -ísimos, -ísimas). If someone is exceedingly tall, we will say "es altísimo" instead of saying "muy alto." When we find something exceedingly expensive, we say "es carísimo." This suffix is very handy and easy to use and certainly trumps "muy, súper" that even natives are prone to use. "Blanquísimo, buenísimo, facilísimo, malísimo, guapísima, riquísimo, durísimo, divertidísimo." Do not hesitate to use this convenient suffix. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-66012665788294096612024-03-23T03:40:00.000-07:002024-03-23T03:40:53.348-07:00ASCUA<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxIHHYzA7pTz9VCiQztMmb6E7Boi3Y2DdOq1RcsZ9aZNKCYuddt6rSq3O3RDFhlOZt660yNnaI9Kaexsi4JinX0vWoqxO2ViyZnJ0LFUxTY2ocS0lFV3Y1X34Wss2DzLa0ne_ppbquh2AdLRfo11RuX4s5UnpI-9rmk7FJmhvc7YA1kCe7PwIR5ZefKayQ" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxIHHYzA7pTz9VCiQztMmb6E7Boi3Y2DdOq1RcsZ9aZNKCYuddt6rSq3O3RDFhlOZt660yNnaI9Kaexsi4JinX0vWoqxO2ViyZnJ0LFUxTY2ocS0lFV3Y1X34Wss2DzLa0ne_ppbquh2AdLRfo11RuX4s5UnpI-9rmk7FJmhvc7YA1kCe7PwIR5ZefKayQ=w200-h134" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Arrimar el ascua a la sardina de uno </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Look after number one, draw water to one’s mill, feather one’s nest, one
must look out for himself<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Debemos siempre arrimar el ascua a nuestra sardina </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">We must always look after number one<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
“El taurino es un hombre que vive alrededor de los toreros, prestándoles
servicios accesorios, que apaña sus comisiones, que actúa de corifeo y que
pontifica en las discusiones, arrimando el ascua a su sardina.” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Antonio
Díaz-Cañabate, <i>Historia de una tertulia</i>, 1952. Esp.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Estar en ascuas </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">On
tenterhooks, uneasy, on the edge of one’s seat, bated breath, on pins and
needles<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Cuéntamelo
todo rápido porque estoy en ascuas </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tell me everything fast because
I’m on tenterhooks<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> “No viviría más con
aquella pesadilla encima, siempre sobre ascuas, temiendo un disparo de todo el
que en cualquier lugar se le acercara.” Daniel Chavarría, <i>El rojo en la
pluma del loro</i>, 2002. Urug.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pasar (como)
sobre ascuas <span style="font-weight: normal;">Tiptoe
over something<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">No explicó mucho y pasó como sobre ascuas del tema de la boda </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">He didn’t explain much
and he tiptoed ove the business of the wedding<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> “El titular de la
Presidencia pasó como sobre ascuas al contestar a las numerosas preguntas sobre…”
La Vanguardia, 16/09/1995. Esp.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-7652045098207494872024-03-23T03:02:00.000-07:002024-03-23T03:02:52.095-07:00PERFECTION IN LANGUAGE<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUEUfGggwA7ID_3InWhIjvtHrOcr8awayCJVpL_u099ZaRAf1bRhj7B1qJHAfh5Bn8JlxLaVl1lo5J91aT6OzMcp95JhHSR-29QyGjuAQlBg3tP7w7BuZnHR3rHeXiCYGh7ZuHe7WAhaPZ6laHg-QZHUJMY9ceMFGG5qUcsT7f3qCGiI7lcMAWF7q_lmnD" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1999" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUEUfGggwA7ID_3InWhIjvtHrOcr8awayCJVpL_u099ZaRAf1bRhj7B1qJHAfh5Bn8JlxLaVl1lo5J91aT6OzMcp95JhHSR-29QyGjuAQlBg3tP7w7BuZnHR3rHeXiCYGh7ZuHe7WAhaPZ6laHg-QZHUJMY9ceMFGG5qUcsT7f3qCGiI7lcMAWF7q_lmnD=w200-h129" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I know that perfection in language is an idle fancy, but I also have my foibles and quirks, and since early childhood, I have been collecting words and phrases and different pronunciations. I am still at it 24/7, as they say now. As far as language is concerned (or otherwise) I am no minimalist! I never have enough and I always want more. Aside from reading aloud, and moving my lips and tongue, I also close the day listening to English or Spanish in bed until grogginess overcomes me. And I have paper and pen in hand to write down whatever expression tickles me, lest I cannot recall it in the morning. Language learning is no walk in the park, at least for me, and we must toil at it constantly. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-11561619246951768152024-03-22T12:50:00.000-07:002024-03-22T12:50:02.949-07:00NABOKOV - READING MOVING YOUR LIPS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVNeF2r1c0lSH0jkAIVkluXGeX3uxqpq8geWvzEwenw8nH6GytQ7-rYNMURKHb-5MCSbQuf6zLXFRlcFsETpjAUdeDW_Z-G-XT7jf1Dq8FJ90vSBV3rNa4LenhNvPQnNkLRDDVPz985zkbvziImjlwFdQPcPUeFiimbRnrOxdoFaJiWtt4C35i8VYy1oey" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="606" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVNeF2r1c0lSH0jkAIVkluXGeX3uxqpq8geWvzEwenw8nH6GytQ7-rYNMURKHb-5MCSbQuf6zLXFRlcFsETpjAUdeDW_Z-G-XT7jf1Dq8FJ90vSBV3rNa4LenhNvPQnNkLRDDVPz985zkbvziImjlwFdQPcPUeFiimbRnrOxdoFaJiWtt4C35i8VYy1oey" width="145" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the Preface to his <b>The Defence</b>, <b>Vladimir Nabokov</b>, lashes out against book reviewers and others, saying: "... I would like to spare the time and effort of hack reviewers - and, generally persons who move their lips when reading...". As I understand it, those who read moving their lips are equated in intellectual stature to hack reviewers. I promote reading a foreign language with the lips and in a whisper. Reading in the brain does not exercise the mechanical part of the language: throat, lips, teeth, alveolar ridges, nose, air, vocal cords, and even the saliva that make language what it is. We may scoff at those who read with their lips as ignorant intellectual dwarfs but in language learning it is essential to drill out loud moving the lips, the tongue, and everything else. Perhaps Nabokov, a polyglot himself, was blinded in this instance by his dislike of book reviewers, probably rightly so. So, you should practice the language you are studying by reading aloud, in a hush, but out loud. You will thank me for it. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-37454842383836372832024-03-22T03:08:00.000-07:002024-03-22T03:08:16.751-07:00FRUIT<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNJ9lpUrsVwNpNIbJUUASfUFKfxXYsUHDpscumtczAKl2DgIYuOAXpvzdYbP6pWy-0eu4clnEMP3jBAUQfvXetH0Ikz8gkX5kK4-EBtwayz3kwYVVz5TjGwEqEajEhcHCNLDOWkAM8DwlclwLETxfwKHo634ejyBinL4g4KkvuOnslpqcwnh7AcVPkjdq4" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNJ9lpUrsVwNpNIbJUUASfUFKfxXYsUHDpscumtczAKl2DgIYuOAXpvzdYbP6pWy-0eu4clnEMP3jBAUQfvXetH0Ikz8gkX5kK4-EBtwayz3kwYVVz5TjGwEqEajEhcHCNLDOWkAM8DwlclwLETxfwKHo634ejyBinL4g4KkvuOnslpqcwnh7AcVPkjdq4=w200-h104" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Bear fruit </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Dar fruto<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">The work has borne fruit and we have more clients now </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">El trabajo ha dado fruto
y tenemos más clients ahora<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">By their fruits
you shall know them </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Por
sus frutos les conoceréis</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm; tab-stops: 63.85pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Matthew tells us, 7:19-20, by their fruits you shall
know them </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">San
Mateo, 7:19-20, nos dice que por sus frutos les conoceréis</span><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm; tab-stops: 63.85pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">He that would have
(eat) the fruit, must climb the tree </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">No
dan a quien no acude, quien algo quiere, algo le cuesta</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm; tab-stops: 63.85pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Ask
for the job; he that would have the fruit, must climb the tree </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">Pide el puesto; no dan a quien no acude<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stolen fruit (water) is sweetest <span style="font-weight: normal;">El fruto prohibido es el más apetecido</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">It is
said that stolen fruit is sweetest </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ya se
dice que el fruto prohibido es el más apetecido</span></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-73294802806158377322024-03-20T02:41:00.000-07:002024-03-20T03:04:31.792-07:00POLÍTICOS Y FRASEOLOGÍA<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjb6Q5rn1IeTFxhZKpkQMxTF12ZS1J-3c2n50-VKCRivF_stOfV5pxazMOMXezeUn2-uVejMCHRruoNBBGlvLY7sD5sdkEVKon_Dl9R5jZA71hyICmLlDr9FparjqRNMH67cArVJhGm2hzHfQz7p_5Boo2QemMMsvcf_7zBXPvxmyQRqdGR6_LNjzrmUfr" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="478" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjb6Q5rn1IeTFxhZKpkQMxTF12ZS1J-3c2n50-VKCRivF_stOfV5pxazMOMXezeUn2-uVejMCHRruoNBBGlvLY7sD5sdkEVKon_Dl9R5jZA71hyICmLlDr9FparjqRNMH67cArVJhGm2hzHfQz7p_5Boo2QemMMsvcf_7zBXPvxmyQRqdGR6_LNjzrmUfr=w199-h200" width="199" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">La política y los políticos tienen gran influencia en el lenguaje, al estar siempre expuestos a los medios de comunicación. A veces sueltan frases sin pensar, que se hacen famosas y en cualquier Diccionario de citas (el mío incluido) hallamos "pensamientos" de toda índole. Quiero recordar el "<b>Pintan bastos</b>" de <b>Manuel Fraga Iribarne</b>, ministro que fue de Información y Turismo, para describir el autoritarismo del gobierno de Franco. Y no olvidemos la pifia de <b>Federico Trillo</b> que cuando creía que el micrófono estaba apagado soltó su famosa "<b>Manda güevos</b>" que fue muy celebrada en su momento. Y la última de hoy, y la mejor, es "<b>tinta de calamar</b>" de <b>Isabel Díaz Ayuso</b>, Presidenta de la Comunidad de Madrid, España, que no encontramos en diccionarios pero sí en bases de datos y en mi<b> Diccionario fraseológico bilingüe. </b>Hay frases que se rescatan del olvido porque un político, de más o menos relevancia, la emplee en público. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-16942833899921055852024-03-19T04:27:00.000-07:002024-03-19T04:38:13.291-07:00TINTA DE CALAMAR<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg95kfEnkxUbiIOt6TGkiQDPDDRwVz0ivkXm_rcwBlcAbGcqPNeaFZMQ9QFj-K9Ap4f0Lj6f9V7fmAApktluLjHW65cO7Cj7ABtImXL7lLfRGgMPgbt6ROawKTKdAzcOXJT-jpl8oAOVXl47HWN0EtRhB0aTiaOS06eBSpdX1DX_gv-NLFkqA8Wx15q5JGX" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg95kfEnkxUbiIOt6TGkiQDPDDRwVz0ivkXm_rcwBlcAbGcqPNeaFZMQ9QFj-K9Ap4f0Lj6f9V7fmAApktluLjHW65cO7Cj7ABtImXL7lLfRGgMPgbt6ROawKTKdAzcOXJT-jpl8oAOVXl47HWN0EtRhB0aTiaOS06eBSpdX1DX_gv-NLFkqA8Wx15q5JGX=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Hoy he oído a la Presidenta de la Comunidad de Madrid, <b>Isabel Díaz Ayuso</b>, y hablando de los ataques de la oposición y del gobierno contra su persona, utilizar la expresión "<b>tinta de calamar</b>" que yo oía por primera vez. Como hago siempre, rebusco en el María Moliner, el Seco, el DRAE, el DUEAE... y nada, ninguno reseña la frase. Sin embargo existe y ha quedado reseñada en mi <b>Gran diccionario fraseológico bilingüe, español-inglés</b> al que estoy dando los últimos retoques. He aquí la entrada:</span></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1pt;">
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tinta
de calamar <span style="font-weight: normal;">Smoke
screen (cloud)<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sus ataques contra mí son tinta de calamar para ocultar sus
robos </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Their
attacks against me are smoke screens to hide their thefts <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> “Los pretextos de luna de miel en
La Alhambra y otras zarandajas son tinta de calamar.” ABC, 19/04/1986. Esp. || “…
ir al fondo del asunto, y no ocultarlo todo con tinta de calamar y cobardía.”
Eduardo Sotillos, <i>1982. El año clave</i>, 2002. Esp.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
</div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-76927698020175248442024-03-18T03:20:00.000-07:002024-03-18T03:20:57.172-07:00STATE<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoso3x4NmDdl-YuwYLGXd6zW8f0fyIdam--lCkz3cwE4YKz3U3lxHuaKwlZQ44Z7DJ9i-MaJ0t-WJCcN5r0G86FgEszr3Wmu9Wl8f7kGc6_LfnnndDenkwzaMk5UhBob3KhcV9m3wcBl-kza2P6kGlOTKlQIsU9mjfgywXtg3GMLiAaImYUy3eTBmvHxY7" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="1862" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoso3x4NmDdl-YuwYLGXd6zW8f0fyIdam--lCkz3cwE4YKz3U3lxHuaKwlZQ44Z7DJ9i-MaJ0t-WJCcN5r0G86FgEszr3Wmu9Wl8f7kGc6_LfnnndDenkwzaMk5UhBob3KhcV9m3wcBl-kza2P6kGlOTKlQIsU9mjfgywXtg3GMLiAaImYUy3eTBmvHxY7=w200-h61" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In a sorry state </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">En un
estado lamentable (deplorable)</span></span></p><p><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The
house is in a sorry state </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">La casa está en un estado lamentable</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span lang="EN-US">“It’s a sorry state of affairs
but there’s no quick fix.” Irish Mirror, 7 March, 2024. Ir. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Lie in state </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Estar de cuerpo
presente<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Dwight
is lying in state in his own home </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Dwight está de cuerpo presente en su propia casa<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span lang="EN-US">“… where Mother Teresa lay in
state for a week before her funeral.” Irish Independent, 26 June, 2023. Ir.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">State
of mind <span style="font-weight: normal;">Estado de
ánimo<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">I’m not in a state of mind to talk to you right now </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">No estoy en un estado de ánimo como
para hablar contigo en este momento<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2";"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <span lang="EN-US">“… concentrating on a healthy state of mind through positive thought…”
The Courier, August 19, 2020. Aus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-70863131157103876632024-03-15T12:52:00.000-07:002024-03-15T12:52:01.147-07:00PRONUNCIACIÓN ESPAÑOLA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuqZxVRLLoq2zZsouz0hpbULpmcpSxG_kznnnxGB3stZaDksOuFUxuhpMRPBrUZl2FnVDNHnrthzhnvk-XIMhJsY8u1QvTyN-OP3GWdKzHuOij5Sd_kzibpZU54vucA9aQbyhhyOh5jCB0u9lisBhq1hgTI6dj6KKb0Sk7DdjlvEWz9PtwXMu5ue4qPUFy" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="195" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuqZxVRLLoq2zZsouz0hpbULpmcpSxG_kznnnxGB3stZaDksOuFUxuhpMRPBrUZl2FnVDNHnrthzhnvk-XIMhJsY8u1QvTyN-OP3GWdKzHuOij5Sd_kzibpZU54vucA9aQbyhhyOh5jCB0u9lisBhq1hgTI6dj6KKb0Sk7DdjlvEWz9PtwXMu5ue4qPUFy=w151-h200" width="151" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I recommend <b>Tomás Navarro Tomás</b>, <b>Manual de pronunciación española</b>, from where I lift this quotation: "... la lengua española presenta importantes diferencias de pronunciación, no sólo entre los diversos países en que se habla, sino entre las regiones de un mismo país, y frecuentemente entre las comarcas y lugares de una misma región. Estas diferencias son entre las regiones de España más hondas y abundantes que entre las naciones hispanoamericanas... la pronunciación hispanoamericana se parece más a la andaluza que a las demás regiones españolas." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tomás Navarro also writes: "... tratándose de personas cultas, la diferencia fonética entre castellanos y andaluces o hispanoamericanos son mucho menores que entre las clases populares." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This treatise on Spànish phonetics is a must-have. It is available online. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-1193989838097721702024-03-15T04:45:00.000-07:002024-03-15T04:45:18.380-07:00SPANISH GRAMMAR CHEAT SHEET<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtTOdIG4m1gDfAUKV29tUFz5xL3ABSJsQ7IHG9SGkvR4TSCf3lSLYCkolUB-JHhmKAWbtrKWJMTMgoJ397AoOTrjqcSuGSmdkqn-XKYxYCkgX4U05aoAOKwQK0dQu9eHIhypmN-ECQL7gWSOu-O15yijH78Dny7iotBryzOVySuXUfIAgiQnm2UyLFxODK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtTOdIG4m1gDfAUKV29tUFz5xL3ABSJsQ7IHG9SGkvR4TSCf3lSLYCkolUB-JHhmKAWbtrKWJMTMgoJ397AoOTrjqcSuGSmdkqn-XKYxYCkgX4U05aoAOKwQK0dQu9eHIhypmN-ECQL7gWSOu-O15yijH78Dny7iotBryzOVySuXUfIAgiQnm2UyLFxODK" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SPANISH GRAMMAR CHEAT SHEET,</b> (Editatum, 2021) is not a run-of-the-mill Spanish grammar. It is the marrow, the quidity of Spanish grammar. There are plenty of books out there that want to teach you Spanish the runaround way. There´s no vocabulary here. You will find the foundation bricks to set your Spanish on firm ground. As the title says, it's a cheat sheet to keep handy while studying, speaking or writing the language of Cervantes. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-47926522375110634132024-03-15T03:13:00.000-07:002024-03-15T03:13:48.253-07:00SPANISH SOLECISMS TO AVOID<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpirnUF_U2BHrN3SR-XjhrziVbdwoS3CIZp8TAOzmJuR6q6-CERrKHauMffIMuNTrQPoUcmcNrIoHKkEkwCjDm8aYJv-F-rbREE25ha4zwtCpkk3SmGJ5FdBQxRPoOJUC197VN9hUIRbdosoLnScbTuuWBMWZucy-3SvSiU8pY33hpprGoizyBf3VODRPm" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpirnUF_U2BHrN3SR-XjhrziVbdwoS3CIZp8TAOzmJuR6q6-CERrKHauMffIMuNTrQPoUcmcNrIoHKkEkwCjDm8aYJv-F-rbREE25ha4zwtCpkk3SmGJ5FdBQxRPoOJUC197VN9hUIRbdosoLnScbTuuWBMWZucy-3SvSiU8pY33hpprGoizyBf3VODRPm=w200-h105" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We tend to think that what we hear a native speaker say is Bible truth. Not always, and we must be on the alert lest we repeat their nonstandard or ungrammatical daily usage. Be wary of what you hear from a native´s lips: they are not always correct. For example:<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">"Yo de ti" is incorrect for "yo de tú". <i>Yo de tú no me casaría con Petra.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Después que" is incorrect for "después de que". <i>Después de que me besase, se echó a llorar.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Delante mío" is incorrect for "delante de mí". <i>Estaba delante de mí, mirándome con asco.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Andé" is incorrect for "anduve". <i>Anduve dos kilómetros hasta el pueblo.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Antes que" is incorrect for "antes de que". <i>Antes de que te vayas, limpia el baño.</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">You will find more tips in my <i>Hablar y escribir con corrección</i>, Editatum, 2018.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-20662166469793425192024-03-14T09:13:00.000-07:002024-03-14T09:13:28.323-07:00STRUNK & WHITE ON WRITING<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The Elements of Style</i></b> by <b>Strunk</b> and <b>White</b>, is a little book I recommend, not only to would-be writers but also to would-be learners of English. In 100 pages, the authors condense all there is to know about writing and speaking. We are exposed to simple facts that most students are not aware of. For example: "The colloquial <b>have got </b> for <b>have</b> should not be used in writing." <i>He has not got any sense</i> should be <i>He has no sense</i>. You <i>have got a problem </i>should be you<i> have a problem.</i> We are told about the usage of <b>people</b> and <b>person</b>: "If of six people, five went away, how many people would be left? Answer: one people." (one person, of course.) Many Spàniards begin by saying: "La verdad es que..." and Strunk and White tell us: "<b>The truth is</b>..., a bad beginning for a sentence. If you feel you are possessed of the truth, simply state it. Do not give it advance billing." And ditto for <b>the fact </b>is <i>el caso es</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-47028676082710452762024-03-13T02:46:00.000-07:002024-03-14T08:17:05.724-07:00STEPHEN KING - ON WRITING<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinBrOLS-OvYvC--SBllcTM6iQdHIvD7bA28hPpN91PqkSjDfcgrGj5cYoAQzEwv4n1SiOE64HlVjKbcOI1cWkgTUQJVjLKHjt-4nMcJIeq2WsA9LRgLOsK3cQW3tLcHyFt_MFbIP3JrsPB7WXJrD5zajRFjmLtyfQW1T7VrFUk0NzorPwwESjgeZtKlpQ7" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinBrOLS-OvYvC--SBllcTM6iQdHIvD7bA28hPpN91PqkSjDfcgrGj5cYoAQzEwv4n1SiOE64HlVjKbcOI1cWkgTUQJVjLKHjt-4nMcJIeq2WsA9LRgLOsK3cQW3tLcHyFt_MFbIP3JrsPB7WXJrD5zajRFjmLtyfQW1T7VrFUk0NzorPwwESjgeZtKlpQ7=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Muddy prose is the result of muddy thinking. Clear, easy-to-understand writing is a joy forever. I mention this because, of late, I have been reading and rereading prose that made no sense, even after going over sentences several times. Why this? I take it personally and think that poorly written prose is an insult to the reader. The writer does not give a hoot whether his muddy writing makes sense or not and puts the effort to decipher the hastily written piece squarely upon our shoulders. Most people who put their fingertips to the keyboard do not know their craft and scoff at grammar. "Grammar is not just a pain in the ass; -says Stephen King- it is the pole you grab to get your thoughts up on their feet and walking." Further: "Simple sentences provide the path you can follow when you fear getting lost in the tangles of rhetoric." And how about vocabulary? "One of the really bad things you can do to your writing is to dress up the vocabulary, looking for long words because you are maybe a little bit ashamed of your short ones." Most of what Mr. King writes about can be applied to any language. Stephen King, <i>On Writing</i>, 2000. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-41145391697441898702024-03-02T05:20:00.000-08:002024-03-02T05:20:21.732-08:00THE SECRET TO LANGUAGE ACQUISITION<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXiWpRYXIZH170MLMdsc-j19XOqXdy7S-Lqq7LLJuLLw3jGX0r2vHbgnSNnFK93Z20qeIW40Iy79GTR8SgwZRSmFEM8kHxi0G0kD_-w4ZofgGw4kV5EBUIFgeBiRRAmGa-kl5QdQ7hYL4XS5f9Iv9Yfdivoo8apAhM1uyrOw5tTgJ7th5cn2p3spc7QNko" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="320" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXiWpRYXIZH170MLMdsc-j19XOqXdy7S-Lqq7LLJuLLw3jGX0r2vHbgnSNnFK93Z20qeIW40Iy79GTR8SgwZRSmFEM8kHxi0G0kD_-w4ZofgGw4kV5EBUIFgeBiRRAmGa-kl5QdQ7hYL4XS5f9Iv9Yfdivoo8apAhM1uyrOw5tTgJ7th5cn2p3spc7QNko=w200-h152" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have found the secret to language learning. Self-appointed language experts, eager to cater to humanity´s leanings toward sloth, holler from rooftops (Facebook, Instagram, Tic-Toc) that the best method is to speak and scoff at grammar and memory. Heed them not. Language-acquisition methodologies come and go but the rock-bottom foundation stays which is memory. Memorize, memorize, and memorize vocabulary, patterns, and phraseology. The human brain's memory capacity is still unknown and probably the same in everyone. Fear it not, and I urge you to join me in this crusade to bring memorization back and restore its importance, especially in language learning. It is also a keen way to keep the brain active and alive till old age. </span> </p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-9211443208883243082024-02-29T05:35:00.000-08:002024-02-29T05:35:58.962-08:00MUCHA TECNOLOGÍA Y POCA URBANIDAD<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_GzjmAyT2dIJLtq2VNsxx6Dc-gvW8feC6JiUD8jIl7yVPdNYL9ijr8cuT5VS-1Fi4u5Qexe1fFVlFfB14m1EPXir2Gq1d-9kDeYWhxxdiR8Ep_MTcrelcV4UDbW-vKSFyJXKfQul4j4ARYe9HQ2D8HvBF1fc0Y_nqtEZi0-woS7uQ31lW1_XL-oUCDFE" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="397" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_GzjmAyT2dIJLtq2VNsxx6Dc-gvW8feC6JiUD8jIl7yVPdNYL9ijr8cuT5VS-1Fi4u5Qexe1fFVlFfB14m1EPXir2Gq1d-9kDeYWhxxdiR8Ep_MTcrelcV4UDbW-vKSFyJXKfQul4j4ARYe9HQ2D8HvBF1fc0Y_nqtEZi0-woS7uQ31lW1_XL-oUCDFE=w200-h64" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ya saben ustedes que soy forofo, aficionado incondicional, de la tecnología y todo lo que ella conlleva. Sin embargo, y esto no es culpa de la tecnología, he notado que es más complicado contactar con personas o entidades desde que utilizamos correos electrónicos y páginas Web. Todo tipo de identidades, empresas, ministerios, comunidades autónomas, tienen páginas web para ofrecer información sobre sus servicios, sean de la índole que sean. Pues bien, sorprendentemente, la mayoría no ofrece dirección alguna de contacto, y si lo tiene, es infructuoso (mejor: pérdida de tiempo) enviar correo alguno. Simplemente no contestan. Mucha editoriales dan direcciones de correo postal, que en la actualidad hace la comunicación más complicada: tener recado de escribir (papel, sobre) y tener que ir a Correos. Fundaciones, Comunidades Autónomas en España, bancos, y demás, simplemente no contestan o envían un acuse de recibo para decir que escribirán. Pero no lo hacen. Creo que tiran piedras sobre su propio tejado. Hace un mes contacté con la Fundación BBVA y sigo esperando respuesta. Es un ejemplo de los muchos que pudiera aportar. Ganamos en tecnología, en rapidez, y perdemos en Urbanidad, que el diccionario de Seco (publicado en Internet por la FBBVA) define como: buena educación o buenos modales. En fin, tendré que echar mano de la ya muy manida frase latina: <i>O tempora, o mores</i>.</span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-71142381970771371362024-02-23T11:11:00.000-08:002024-02-23T11:12:23.498-08:00WHAT LANGUAGE DO I DREAM IN? A MEMOIR - A FLOP<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Elena Lappin´s memoir <b>What Language Do I Dream In</b>, and John Gallagher´s review of it in <b>The Guardian</b>, are both disappointing. I have read the book because of my interest in languages and bilingualism only to find an autobiography of a person and her family who have had a thirst for travel. From Russia to Czechoslovakia, then to Germany and Israel, to continue to Canada, the US, and finally, to the UK. We are told about grandparents, parents, and relatives, with side escapades to odd people of many nationalities. In passing, Ms Lappin mentions the languages she has been exposed to in her wondering, in her world-trotting. All of us can write an autobiography. Lappin´s experiences might be of interest to her family and offspring but to nobody else. Her insights into languages show that although she speaks several languages, she´s no linguist. She says: "</span><span>To this day, my brother owes his perfect Russian accent to his extended stay in Moscow at the age of almost two." Really? At age two? I could write a similar account of my family and our different languages. I won´t. The worlds full of people who have gone from language to language and from country to country. Nothing to write home about. </span></span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-61111245775003740402024-02-21T01:26:00.000-08:002024-02-21T01:26:30.977-08:00UN PAÍS PARA LEERLO<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizkxe7yshsgmHNN-3vJ5mBgfLcp3K4i-dsMG9q_DxGqfd7ieJCtwvS6Nt5Bew16S_xs2iJdJvPLvBAKMU9FBQt3ULjmTtnNVaQGdWPmhDN0Xy6sB7GVcy_7LMK3gJSDyVw6SmbGRzpiI4PhZ3yISFMmLTE3Z0r71jzhceK1AiZF1fFD0wRERVCoRUcceSl" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="512" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizkxe7yshsgmHNN-3vJ5mBgfLcp3K4i-dsMG9q_DxGqfd7ieJCtwvS6Nt5Bew16S_xs2iJdJvPLvBAKMU9FBQt3ULjmTtnNVaQGdWPmhDN0Xy6sB7GVcy_7LMK3gJSDyVw6SmbGRzpiI4PhZ3yISFMmLTE3Z0r71jzhceK1AiZF1fFD0wRERVCoRUcceSl=w200-h73" width="200" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For those interested in Hispanic Language, Culture, and Literature, I recommend the RTVE2 educational program <b>Un país para leerlo</b>, which is piloted by the poet <b>Raquel Lanseras</b>. Every week, Raquel visits a different Spanish city, shows its sights, and interviews local authors and bookstores. Locals recommend books they are reading, and authors read excerpts from their publications while booksellers explain about their patrons and the titles they have. You can hear about the Spanish cultural scene straight from the horse´s mouth while admiring the beauty of Zamora, Málaga, Cuenca, or whatever city <b>Raquel Lanseras</b> is visiting this particular week. The slow, well-thought-out, and fluent Spanish will give you new insights into Spain´s contemporary literature. I watch <b>Un país para leerlo</b> every week and find it a joy. Again, to practice listening to good Spanish and watch eye-opening views of the cities of Spain, give the program a try. I am certain you will thank me for it.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-92019110795130419712024-02-19T11:37:00.000-08:002024-02-19T11:37:27.794-08:00AN IMPORTANT PHRASE IN TWO LANGUAGES<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnfgYNIxjtB5iHOYl9DWM6LMEFezrh8tJEKIo2isTXwODU6-lHsfHkrq7wyQOANnv6IlCq4pkttapmUbAdLNdG-_EREzFh_gX6H_pGlyP9onNrpzCASKZXOh22WX8nGMi9GMhaabfaKJnc5bjnnJxXjLGdYhOnPYr-iyO2AmdOygEIWkMLJsDEY-kKhFEh" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="630" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnfgYNIxjtB5iHOYl9DWM6LMEFezrh8tJEKIo2isTXwODU6-lHsfHkrq7wyQOANnv6IlCq4pkttapmUbAdLNdG-_EREzFh_gX6H_pGlyP9onNrpzCASKZXOh22WX8nGMi9GMhaabfaKJnc5bjnnJxXjLGdYhOnPYr-iyO2AmdOygEIWkMLJsDEY-kKhFEh=w200-h133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 193.4pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any
port in a storm <span style="font-weight: normal;">La
necesidad obliga,</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">en tiempos de guerra, cualquier
hoyo es trinchera (y cualquier palo es fusil)<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 193.4pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">I do not like this way of getting out of the situation but
any port in a storm </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">No
me gusta esta manera de salir de la situación, pero en tiempos de guerra,
cualquier hoyo es trinchera<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 193.4pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;">“Said when
one is in difficulty and some not particularly good way out offers itself; a
last resource.” Ebenezer Brewer, <i>Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable</i>,
2001. US. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm 184.3pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">La necesidad obliga <span style="font-weight: normal;">Any port in a storm</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">En realidad, no quería un préstamo de él, pero la necesidad
obliga </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">I didn´t
really want a loan from him, but any port in a storm<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="border: none; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 4.0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “¡Qué remedio! La necesidad
obliga, hijo.” Antonio Martínez Ballesteros, <i>Pisito clandestino</i>, 1990.
Esp.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
</div></div>
</div>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-72729514202275725382024-02-17T07:19:00.000-08:002024-02-17T07:20:41.667-08:00SOY LEXICÓPATA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIEKTsiCFi4uJVfpXmd-dHaPo9GQvo9X9EGjtB6pHCebwNaJpvrDCNqRLLgm8T-pB9a-9ODP36K7-nZaKSzkiNlTjVOhTy9aI62W_Ku-g_g2gOY14kivhgKG4G5yPpXKs51dVLLd52TeqCqM6DPDzqTbRnnTloBskDvqyCsVPLN2l3rEkKJhYAz1Ew7TNT" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIEKTsiCFi4uJVfpXmd-dHaPo9GQvo9X9EGjtB6pHCebwNaJpvrDCNqRLLgm8T-pB9a-9ODP36K7-nZaKSzkiNlTjVOhTy9aI62W_Ku-g_g2gOY14kivhgKG4G5yPpXKs51dVLLd52TeqCqM6DPDzqTbRnnTloBskDvqyCsVPLN2l3rEkKJhYAz1Ew7TNT=w200-h112" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p> <span style="font-size: large;">Siempre me vanaglorio ante todos de estar libre de patologías adictivas: no bebo, no fumo, no ingiero drogas... ¡hasta hoy! Me he dado cuenta de que soy <b>lexicópata</b>. He buscado la palabra <b>lexicopatía</b> en diccionarios y no está reseñada. Defino esta patología como "el afán desmedido de coleccionar, clasificar y analizar palabras y frases de uno o varios idiomas." El que está enganchado a la<b> lexicografía</b>, el <b>lexicópata</b>, emplea mucho tiempo añadiendo a su colección, habla constantemente de sus últimas adquisiciones, está alerta cuando oye conversaciones, pregunta sobre significados y consulta diccionarios constantemente. Al escribir estas líneas me ruborizo y sudo de pudor al admitir que soy un enfermo mental. Sufro de <b>lexicopatía</b>. Con frecuencia me digo que voy a pasar unos días sin trabajar en el diccionario, pero no me es posible apartarme de él. No salgo, no duermo, apenas como. Si estoy unas horas sin buscar o comprobar frases, me tiemblan las manos, se me corta la respiración, me suda la frente. ¿Qué puedo hacer? ¿A quién pedir socorro?</span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-76264714968853049532024-02-16T04:51:00.000-08:002024-02-16T04:51:25.149-08:00A QUOTATION FROM THOREAU<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaNK5EgmqJtMa3QrW6japp-ExmB9ZAv1W7I1ASaxYGsorLhZhKPhQthxPLcMWXQCnv1F2e9YYJ2zJpXMkfwv1BFE-1d5yHeJHIlVPpJRPv6GIpjyIbvtbGwe2C1qcK8zi54gYLD4T1OjqY5NdGxGwKUia5cTggpqd218S5FS5PVr4_kjjvzcw_-_szaOVW" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaNK5EgmqJtMa3QrW6japp-ExmB9ZAv1W7I1ASaxYGsorLhZhKPhQthxPLcMWXQCnv1F2e9YYJ2zJpXMkfwv1BFE-1d5yHeJHIlVPpJRPv6GIpjyIbvtbGwe2C1qcK8zi54gYLD4T1OjqY5NdGxGwKUia5cTggpqd218S5FS5PVr4_kjjvzcw_-_szaOVW=w185-h200" width="185" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>"<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;">But men labor under a mistake. The better part of the man is soon plowed into the soil for compost. By a seeming fate, commonly called necessity, they are employed, as it says in an old book, laying up treasures which moth and rust will corrupt and thieves break through and steal. It is a fool’s life, as they will find when they get to the end of it, if not before." </span></span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-15243960617542016082024-02-11T07:41:00.000-08:002024-02-11T07:41:17.619-08:00DUBBING SIGOURNEY WEAVER INTO SPANISH<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMbkPQpLgINTrfAIholAPZty9uEnOvkHVfiEFgGo_SVoLxEObgix4YmkGHWMpmDnmSIKn16eHP0iLRQDIu-0t06wbwfOLnTWtIDXzXoU-Vsyuc3lNwLSiMMDw4KIMuuXvF5iFLEG8KoEyHuYHmkqNlsPqszuwe2H-V0a2OYeuSKH4IhDwyAymxZfXwYph6" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMbkPQpLgINTrfAIholAPZty9uEnOvkHVfiEFgGo_SVoLxEObgix4YmkGHWMpmDnmSIKn16eHP0iLRQDIu-0t06wbwfOLnTWtIDXzXoU-Vsyuc3lNwLSiMMDw4KIMuuXvF5iFLEG8KoEyHuYHmkqNlsPqszuwe2H-V0a2OYeuSKH4IhDwyAymxZfXwYph6=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Spaniards talk and wonder about American actors and actresses they admire. <b>Leonardo DiCaprio</b>, <b>Richard Gere</b>, <b>Julia Roberts</b>, and... <b>Sigourney Weaver</b> who yesterday was awarded an International Award in Valladolid for her acting career. All foreign films are dubbed into Spanish and it is difficult to have access to original versions. Ms. Weaver was very thankful for the presentation and very kindly mentioned the Spanish actress who has been dubbing her into Spanish for 40 years, the voice Spanish movie-goers associate with the American actress. She mentioned 85-year-old <b>María Luisa Solá</b>, a dubbing actress since 1959 who has said that Weaver´s words have spotlighted her profession at long last. Moviegoers who applaud <b>Sigourney Weaver</b> as an actress forget that the voice they hear is not the actress´s but someone else's. Further, they forget that <b>María Luisa Solá</b> is mouthing the Spanish text translators have poured into Spanish. So, in the end, the actresses or actors Spanish audiences admire and love are people who only move back and forth in the film, and whose words and voices are not theirs at all. I am glad that Ms. Weaver has seen it fit to recognize the role of dubbing actors. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-30397324092217567172024-02-11T01:46:00.000-08:002024-02-11T01:46:15.045-08:00SPELL CHECKERS, CORRECTORS AND AI<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXPcVUePgSLmRRtM34SFukcpSekAj121SVlF6lj92cifvQyRIiVxuM3XzcGvbirUjdKg3qPqC-hb_pmm-Xma8NAuuKBdwco9IA3HdmbQPjrb1TTQWu2CiRinkYeSHmuowZYZjhO4DcHps84DwMb43MIer8X5Reo51xFxw_M-29YGuCH-xKhDzF7mAo5MG-" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="750" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXPcVUePgSLmRRtM34SFukcpSekAj121SVlF6lj92cifvQyRIiVxuM3XzcGvbirUjdKg3qPqC-hb_pmm-Xma8NAuuKBdwco9IA3HdmbQPjrb1TTQWu2CiRinkYeSHmuowZYZjhO4DcHps84DwMb43MIer8X5Reo51xFxw_M-29YGuCH-xKhDzF7mAo5MG-=w200-h93" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Spellcheckers, correctors, AI, are cracked to be the ultimate writers' aids. Being the cranky grouch I am, I find them very disappointing. A few minutes ago I was texting on X (Twitter) in Spanish "es más adecuado decir..." and the clever corrector shot back: "unknown word adecuado." Unknown word? Whatever. Better take those "aids" with a grain of salt, <i>cum grano salis</i>. I normally ignore their comments and suggestions. </span> </p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5394201963827948524.post-84747415996973357282024-02-09T07:08:00.000-08:002024-02-09T07:08:24.665-08:00SLEEP, DREAMS, AND LANGUAGES<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu-t97t1Ybg_bz6bf9bYRx5j101W8XDBMxe5WkKMKb5FXFKZTeyqNwQMlSMp4a98zoT6T15Sf0FhXXgZc_0C3oxDocErZgoU1Fo29W77GeO-qmgfVmnXwpO8Y_wfSWskTpBbt8Z3WVN_GiFtKxAZrganXCShJVeVLAle18K2ynzHr6pfktZe5IKtE-7ECY" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu-t97t1Ybg_bz6bf9bYRx5j101W8XDBMxe5WkKMKb5FXFKZTeyqNwQMlSMp4a98zoT6T15Sf0FhXXgZc_0C3oxDocErZgoU1Fo29W77GeO-qmgfVmnXwpO8Y_wfSWskTpBbt8Z3WVN_GiFtKxAZrganXCShJVeVLAle18K2ynzHr6pfktZe5IKtE-7ECY=w133-h200" width="133" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I own <b>Freud</b>´s <b>Interpretation of Dreams</b> but never read it. I never try to interpret my wild, crazy, wacky dreams. However, of late I have been dreaming and holding conversations in different languages. Last night, for instance, I was trying to convince somebody of something in Valenciano. I have not used the language since my mother died about 5 years ago. You have no idea how very well I was expressing myself! A week ago I was delivering a lecture about the nature of language in GERMAN! I was so pleased with myself! While I was discoursing in the Teutonic language I was thinking, in my dream, how proud Dr. Reinkraut, my teacher at Duquesne, would have been. Is my subconscious trying to say something to me? Dream-chatting in either English or Spanish is normal, but German and Valenciano? Is my brain going berzerk? What is the meaning of all this? And why can we speak languages fluently in dreams but not in wakeful life? I will read <b>Elena Lappin</b>, <b><i>What Language Do I Dream In? A Memoir</i></b>, which I have just bought from Amazon. </span></p>Delfin Carbonellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002216571586722881noreply@blogger.com0