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Language Lines, October 2008
 From the Editor
Welcome to the October edition of Language Lines!
For this month's theme we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month!
In this issue of Language Lines we cover: Hispanic Heritage Month Underway, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Where Spanish is Spoken, Common Words with Spanish Origins
For more frequent updates about language services and their importance in the global marketplace, consider subscribing to one of our blogs: Language Translation Blog or Language Links Blog.
Adriana Nevin | Corporate Sales Manager | anevin@languagetranslation.com
Featured Articles
Hispanic Hertiage Month Underway
From September 15 to October 15 2008, US citizens are called upon to recognize the many Americans of Hispanic descent who have made outstanding contributions to our country.
In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration which starts on September the 15th every year.
During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
According to the US Census Bureau, 64% of Hispanic-origin people in the United States are of Mexican background. Another 9 percent are of Puerto Rican background, with 3.4 percent Cuban, 3.1 percent Salvadoran and 2.8 percent Dominican. The remainder represents other Central American, South American or other Hispanic or Latino origins.
Language Translation Inc. carries out a large number of language translations from and to Spanish, and is pleased to participate in Hispanic Heritage Month by posting a weekly blog entry about the Spanish language and the importance of the Hispanic population in the US business world.
/ Betty Carlson
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
 The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous peoples such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican, Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2500-3000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.
The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. The festivities were dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of the Dead," corresponding to the modern Catrina.
In most regions of Mexico, November 1st honors deceased children and infants where as deceased adults are honored on November 2nd. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1st mainly as "Día de los Inocentes" (Day of the Innocents) but also as "Día de los Angelitos" (Day of the Little Angels) and November 2nd as "Día de los Muertos" or "Día de los Difuntos" (Day of the Dead).
Observance of a Mexican-style Day of the Dead has spread to Europe as well. In Prague, Czech Republic, for example, local citizens celebrate the Day of the Dead with masks, candles, and sugar skulls.[11] Mexican-style Day of the Dead celebrations can also be found in Wellington, New Zealand, complete with altars celebrating the deceased with flowers and gifts.
[source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead ]
Facts & Tidbits
Where Spanish is Spoken 
(# of speakers)
- Mexico 86,211,000
- Colombia 34,000,000
- Argentina 33,000,000
- Spain 28,173,600
- United States 22,400,000
- Venezuela 21,480,000
- Peru 20,000,000
- Chile 13,800,000
- Cuba 10,000,000
- Ecuador 9,500,000
- Dominican Republic 6,886,000
- El Salvador 5,900,000
- Honduras 5,800,000
- Guatemala 4,673,000
- Nicaragua 4,347,000
- Bolivia 3,483,700
- Costa Rica 3,300,000
- Uruguay 3,000,000
- Puerto Rico 2,690,000
- Panama 2,100,000
- Paraguay 110,000
Quick US Stats
45.5 million - The estimated Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2007, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or race minority. Hispanics constituted 15 percent of the nation's total population. In addition, there are approximately 3.9 million residents of Puerto Rico.
132.8 million - The projected Hispanic population of the United States on July 1, 2050. According to this projection, Hispanics will constitute 30 percent of the nation's population by that date.
48% - The percentage of the Hispanic-origin population that lives in California or Texas. California is home to 13.2 million Hispanics, and Texas is home to 8.6 million.
$222 billion - Revenue generated by Hispanic-owned businesses in 2002, up 19 percent from 1997.
34 million - The number of U.S. residents 5 and older who speak Spanish at home. Spanish speakers constitute 12 percent of U.S. residents.
[source http://www.census.gov ]
Common Words with Spanish Origins
- Alligator - el lagarto, the lizard
- Booby - bobo, silly or selfish, from the Latin for stammering, balbus
- Bronco - meaning wild or rough
- Cafeteria - cafeteria, a coffee shop
- Cargo - cargar, to load
- Cigar, Cigarette - cigarro
- Comrade - camarada, old Spanish for barracks company or roommate
- Guerrilla - a small raiding party or fighting force
- Hoosegow - from juzgado, a tribunal or courtroom, past participle of juzgar, to judge
- Mustang - mestengo or mesteno, a stray animal
- Patio - courtyard in Spanish
- Peccadillo - a form of pecado, to sin
- Renegade - renegado, deserter or outlaw
- Savvy - saber, to know
- Tornado - tornar, to turn, tronada, thunderstorm
- Vamoose - vamos, let's go.
Words with the same meaning in both languages include aficionado, armada, barracuda, mosquito, tobacco, and vanilla.
[source http://www.teachervision.fen.com/spanish-language/bilingual-education/6828.html ]
Just for Fun
Quick Mexican Salasa Recipe:
- 4 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (up to 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper (bell pepper)
- 1/4 cup oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped green chiles
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp mustard seed
- 1 tsp cilantro (coriander) seed, crushed (or fresh cilantro leaves)
- 1 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill, stirring occasionally. Serve with corn chips.
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