Tex mex, south american spanish

[lagunasun]

are tex mex, and south american (mainly mexican spanish) incorpored in this site, generally speaking? thank you kindly.

[Rusty]

There are some words in Spanish that are not universally accepted. Each of the countries where Spanish is spoken can have some variations. These variations are known as regional differences. They can be discussed here, and it's certainly acceptable to do so, but the majority of the Spanish represented in the forums is universally understood. When differences exist, this is usually brought up in the discussion.

Generally speaking, very few members are from Texas, so there aren't many discussions about the vocabulary differences found there. If someone wanted to know how something is said in Texas, you're more than welcome to chime in. As they say, when in Rome ...

Insisting that one country uses a better 'forma de hablar' than another will usually get you nowhere. Learning the standard Spanish first and then the non-standard (and/or colloquial) form later is what I would recommend. What's colloquial in one place may not be understood in another. Caveat utilitor.

[JPablo]

Mmm...
Caveat Utilitor is a Latin term which means let the user beware. The user is responsible for checking whether the goods suit his or her need.

Is this something one uses often in English... or is it a bit "highbrow"?

I guess, learning a bit of Latin is always good for learning any language...

By the by, welcome to the forums, lagunasun...!

[Rusty]

The Latin phrase isn't used in everyday English at all, but I thought it fitting.
The user of Texan Spanish should check whether its use suits the need. If not, "let the user beware."

[JPablo]

Ah, thank you, Rusty!

[lagunasun]

thanks, i am glad to have found this site.
caveat emptor, reminds of probably the only latin i know... caveat emptor "let the buyer beware"!
thx again

[Rusty]

That's three Latin words under your belt.

What was the reason behind your question (post #1)?

[lagunasun]

i live in texas and there are lots of word that don't translate 'normally' and i was just curious about the overall nature of the board.
i have studied castillon in college, tex mex at work, as well as puerto rican, and several south american countries. (via chatting also)
a person can get by with castillion spanish using some word or other.
it is hard to eavesdrop on people though. haha

[Elaina]

Texas "spanglish" is special....it is not learned in a book nor can you translate it....

It is in the same category as "slang" although Texas Spanglish is not slang, per se......it is unique and in its own class.

You learn it by hanging around the "natives". It is also a totally misunderstood language.

Good luck!