Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Teaching & Learning > Culture


Vocabulary/etymology differences between English and Spanish

 

Questions about culture and cultural differences between countries and languages.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 07, 2016, 01:38 AM
kimma kimma is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 15
Native Language: Australian English
kimma is on a distinguished road
Vocabulary/etymology differences between English and Spanish

As I'm learning Spanish, I'm loving how many of the words have the same word roots as English words. Often though it's a fancy English word because the commonly used English word has come from a different language.

So I've been wondering if the 'fancy' word in Spanish is the common word, what are the actual fancy words? I have read that Spanish does absorb words from other languages but that like most languages the old ones get replaced. Is that true?

If there isn't another layer (or two) like there is in English, are they made up for with phrases and compound words? I am sure that Spanish has all the same nuances and breath of ideas that English does, but I'm only in the early stages of learning at the moment and the vocab is pretty basic.

I love etymology, if you can't tell. :)
Thanks!
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old February 07, 2016, 01:46 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
I don't think it's the etymology what makes one word in Spanish sound fancier than other, but I'm unable to say what actually determines that a word is fancy or not. One just doesn't hear such a word very often, either because it's archaic or because it "belongs" to the realm of educated writing.

Of course, the words derived from Greek or Latin are more unusual in English, whose foundations come from different places, but those are the basic etymologies of most Spanish words.
When I write or speak in English, I tend to use the direct translation of many words that are very common in Spanish, and English native speakers take them for fancy words; only then I learn they're not as common in English and that I may even not be understood because of that.
In any case, it's just by learning and practicing the language that one gets to know what words will be closer to your listener or your reader.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old February 07, 2016, 02:27 PM
kimma kimma is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 15
Native Language: Australian English
kimma is on a distinguished road
I was thinking about science in Spanish too. It must be easier on one hand because a lot of everyday words have the same word roots as the scientific terms since they all come from latin. But I also see how confused people get in English when an everyday word happens to be the same as a scientific word and they assume they mean the same thing exactly even though the everyday word has drifted and is less specific.

Last edited by kimma; February 07, 2016 at 02:29 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
etymology

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Etymology of spanish words Muammar Culture 3 January 03, 2015 05:48 PM
Test to determine the size of your Spanish (or English) vocabulary Tomisimo Teaching and Learning Techniques 16 October 20, 2014 06:10 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:59 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X