Spanish Answers

As an English speaker, one of the trickiest things to learn is when to use the Spanish verbs estar and ser. They both mean "to be," but are both used in very distinct ways. So we'll do a three-part series to dive deep into how to use these verbs correctly! And we will begin our cultural tip mini-series on Bolivia! ¡Vámanos!

Just a quick note - if you would like more resources to help you with Ser vs. Estar and other Spanish grammar, check out the links in today's Show Notes! Full disclosure, some of them are Amazon affiliate links (For more information, see my Disclosure Policy), and I have clearly marked which ones. But they were invaluable in preparing for this episode series!
Also, there may be a little bit of an odd sound from about the 1:45 to 7:44 min. marks. My A/C came on in the middle of recording and I messed up on editing it out. Sorry about that! I fixed it a little, but couldn't completely fix it. I have learned what NOT to do in the future. :D

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

©2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 77

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• "Using 'Se' with Spanish Verbs To Express the English Passive Voice" by Gerald Erichsen for ThoughtCo on August 28, 2020 
• "Using the Passive Voice in Spanish" by Gerald Erichsen for ThoughtCo on August 26, 2020
• "How to use impersonal expressions with el verbo SER" by EasyEspañol.org
• "Impersonal Expressions with the Subjunctive" by SpanishDict.com 
• "Gramática para la composición (Spanish Edition) Segunda Edición" by M. Stanley Whitley and Luis González, August 6, 2007 (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• "The Everything Spanish Grammar Book" by Julie Gutin, March 1, 2005 (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• "The Ultimate Spanish Review and Practice, First Edition" by Ronni Gordon and David Stillman, September 1, 1999 (Note: There is now a Fourth Edition out, as of June 24, 2019)
• "Manual de referencia: reglas y estructuras esenciales de la lengua española" por Olga M. Muñiz, Ph.D. and Kevin E. Teegarden, Ph.D., 2009 (These were made by my professors at college, so I don't know if you can actually buy them anywhere)

Cultural Tip

• "Bolivia - The World Factbook" by the CIA, last updated August 30, 2022
• "Country Summary: Bolivia" by the CIA, last updated May 11, 2022

I know, I know, this episode didn't come out on Monday. But doesn't it seem more fitting that it come a day later, after the Labor Day Holiday, and on the particular day that we want to talk about? After all, today's episode focuses solely on Elcano Day, which is celebrated today, September 6, 2022, by Spanish-speaking Basque! So let's dig into what this holiday is and why it's so important!

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

©2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 76

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• "National Read A Book Day 2022: Things You Should Know" from NationalDaysToday.com
• "Basque Country Location and Provinces in Europe Map" by Gabriel Trisca, uploaded and modified on Wikimedia Commons May 23, 2014
• "Basque" by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, for Encyclopedia Britannica, on February 19,  2021. Accessed 5 September 2022.
• "What is the Basque Country?" by Euskal Kazeta
• "What is the Basque Country?" by admin for The Land Of The Basques website on August 22, 2019 
• "Basque language" by Rijk, Rudolf P.G. de and Michelena, Luis for Encyclopedia Britannica, on September 2, 2022. Accessed 5 September 2022.
• Esther Ciganda's Website: Learn Basque & Listen To The Podcast The Immigrant All Around- Basque In Languages
• "Ferdinand Magellan" by Mitchell, Mairin and Domingues, Francisco Contente for Encyclopedia Britannica, on May 21, 2022. Accessed 6 September 2022.
• "Ferdinand Magellan" by History.com Editors for History.com, last updated October 22, 2021. Accessed September 5, 2022
• "Elcano Day in the Basque Country / September 6, 2022" from AnyDayGuide.com 
• "Magallanes- Elcano" by Fatima Azmani for SevillaInfo.es on September 5, 2022
• "Juan Sebastián de Elcano - Explorer and Ship" uploaded to YouTube on April 8, 2022, by The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered
• "How Magellan circumnavigated the globe - Ewandro Magalhaes" uploaded to YouTube by TED-Ed on March 30, 2017
• "Magellan faces mutiny on the high seas" by Look and Learn on May 16, 2011 

Cultural Tip

• None

Hello, hello, and hello! It is SO good to finally be back! In today's episode, I'll give you a quick life update as to why I've been gone for so long, then we'll discuss pet vocabulary in Spanish, and then finalize this long-overdue episode with our final Cultural Tip on Ecuador with three unique customs and traditions!

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

©2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 75

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• Wordreference.com 

Cultural Tip

• "Ecuador: queman el "año viejo" para recibir al Nuevo Año" uploaded to YouTube by teleSUR tv on December 28, 2018
• "Ecuadorian Superstitions and Traditions" by Life in Ecuador
• "7 Unique Traditions in Ecuador" by Allie D'Almo for Big 7 Travel, posted in 2022
• "10 of our most important Ecuador traditions" by Sandra for Wanderbus Ecuador on January 30, 2020
• "8 Holiday Traditions to Embrace in Ecuador" by Betsy Maria D. for Ecua Traveling
• "Bolon de verde or Ecuadorian green plantain dumplings" by Layla Pujol for Laylita's Recipes Blog
• Same Recipe, but in Spanish 
• "Ecuadorian Food: 11 Traditional Dishes You Must Try" by Rainforest Cruises, posted on June 8, 2021

Have you ever wondered why Spanish has both the letters "B" and V", when they both make the same sound? Well, in today's episode, we'll answer that very question! And then, for our Cultural Tip, we'll talk about the national holidays of Ecuador!

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

©2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 74

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• "International Phonetic Alphabet" by InternationalPhoneticAlphabet.org 
• "The International Phonetic Alphabet" by the International Phonetic Association, last revised 2015
• "International Phonetic Alphabet for American English" by EasyPronunciation.com
• "Pronouncing the Spanish B and V" by Gerald Erichsen for ThoughtCo.com on April 11, 2019
• "¿Por qué se pronuncian igual B y V en español? Historia de la confusión" by DelCastellano.com
• "¿Por qué pronuncio así la B y la V? | ¿Qué es correcto?" by Linguriosa, uploaded to YouTube on February 21, 2021
• "Romance languages" by Sala, Marius and Posner, Rebecca for Encyclopedia Britannica, July 26, 2021. Accessed 27 June 2022.
• "Golden Age" by Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia, for Encyclopedia Britannica, February 2, 2022. Accessed 27 June 2022.
• Real Academia Española (rae.es)
• Episodio 73: Diferencias Ortográficas entre el Inglés Americano, Canadiense y Británico (en Inglés)

Cultural Tip

• "National Holidays in Ecuador in 2022" by OfficeHolidays.com. See the individual holiday links for more information.  

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the words tan and tanto? Look no further, because today's episode will finally give you answers! And then, for our Cultural Tip, we'll begin looking at Ecuador!

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

©2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 73

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• "TAN vs TANTO | Finally understand the differences between 'tan' and 'tanto' in Spanish ✨" uploaded to YouTube by Spanish Gitana | Spanish Teacher on November 22, 2020
• "‘Tan’ vs. ‘Tanto’ in Spanish" by Gerald Erichsen for ThoughtCo on January 6, 2019
• "Tan vs Tanto in Spanish - Meanings & Uses" by Daniela Sanchez for Tell Me In Spanish
• "The Spanish Tan vs. Tanto: Master Comparisons of Equality Like a Poet" by Francisco J. Vare for FluentU, last updated January 17, 2022
• "Tan vs Tanto - How to Compare, Conclude & Approximate" for RealFastSpanish.com

Cultural Tip

• "Ecuador - The World Factbook" by the CIA, last updated June 7, 2022
• "Country Summary: Ecuador" by the CIA, last updated October 2021

What are Neuter Demonstratives? How do you use them? I promised you back in Episode 53 that we would eventually get to these, and now here we are! :) So let's dive in, and afterwards we'll talk about the three unique traditions of Guatemala.

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

© 2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 72

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• Episode 55: Acá vs. Aquí, Los Adverbios Demostrativos
• Episode 53: This, That, These, and Those in Spanish
• Episode 56: What's the deal with "Lo"? Part 1 
• Episode 57: What's up with "Lo"? Part 2
• From thread from the CVC Foros, the Centro Virtual Cervantes' Archivo del Foro del español, the Cervantes Institute (Instituto Cervantes), quote came on November 14, 2019
• "The Neuter Demonstrative Pronouns “Eso,” “Esto,” and “Aquello"" from SpanishDict
• "The Neuter Gender in Spanish" by Gerald Erichsen for ThoughtCo.com, updated on May 19, 2018
• "Demonstrative Pronouns of Spanish" by Gerald Erichsen for ThoughtCo.com, updated on March 09, 2019
• "How to Use Spanish Demonstrative Adjectives, Pronouns & Neutral Gender" by Real Fast Spanish

Cultural Tip

• "25 Guatemalan Festivals and Celebrations for Your Bucket List" by Michele Peterson for A Taste for Travel, posted February 20, 2020, updated April 25, 2022 
• "11 Guatemalan Traditions and Customs Only Locals Will Understand" by Jack Guy for TheCultureTrip.com, January 10, 2018
• "Why Do Guatemalans Build Giant Kites to Celebrate All Saints Day?" by Jack Guy for TheCultureTrip.com, January 31, 2018
• Fiambre Image by julio ariel from Pixabay
• "Receta Guatemalteca de Fiambre por Chef Mirciny Moliviatis" uploaded to YouTube by Mirciny Moliviatis on October 26, 2015
• "Giant Kites Festival, Day of the Dead | Sumpango, Guatemala 2018" uploaded to YouTube by Slowly Anywhere on November 7, 2018
• "Chichicastenango, Guatemala" uploaded to YouTube by CS pacifico on February 5, 2016
• "PALO VOLADOR, CHICHICASTENANGO" uploaded to YouTube by Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo/INGUAT/ on January 31, 2018

Have you ever laughed at the fact that, in English, there are so many words that contradict themselves? For instance, if Paul rents a room, is he the one paying the landlord, or is he himself the landlord? Or how you can have clothes that will wear for a long time, but then eventually the wear on them begins to show? Or one of my current favorites, how you can be cheerfully sanguine (confidently optimistic) while your neighbor is a sanguine (bloodthirsty) lunatic? These types of words are called contronyms, and of course Spanish has them, too! So let's dive in, and afterwards we'll talk about the official holidays of Guatemala.

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

© 2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 71

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• "19 autoantónimos: palabras que significan una cosa y la contraria" by Jaime Rubio Hancock for El País on August 28, 2016
• "Autoantónimos: palabras que significan una cosa y la contraria" by Translation-Traducción.com on October 13, 2016
• "8 palabras en español que son sus propios opuestos" by Greelane.com on June 4, 2019
• "75 Contronyms (Words with Contradictory Meanings)" by Mark Nichol for Daily Writing Tips
• “Contronym.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster. Accessed 5 May. 2022.
• I also used the RAE's online dictionary, wordreference.com, and Ingles.com's online dictionary to double-check words and structures. 
• Blog image by Yakup Ipek from Pixabay

Cultural Tip

• "National Holidays in Guatemala in 2022" by OfficeHolidays.com. See the individual holiday links for more information.  
• "Federal Republic Of Central America" by John Misachi for World Atlas on June 30, 2020
• Episode 67: Spanish's Diacritical Marks

Welcome to our first Special episode of 22: La Fiesta de San Isidro! This fun holiday takes place in Madrid every May 8th - 15th and honors Saint Isidore, the city's patron saint, and María Torribia, his wife. I wanted to do this episode before the actual holiday begins so that, should you so desire, you could join in the festivities wherever you are by making rosquillas or even cocido madrileño! (Remember, since today's episode is a Special, we won't have a Cultural Tip this week.)

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

© 2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 70

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• "San Isidro" by ESMadrid.com, Madrid's official tourist website, last updated April 29, 2022
• "Ermita de San Isidro" by ESMadrid.com, Madrid's official tourist website, last updated March 30, 2022
• "San Isidro Madrid - Comparsa de GIGANTES Y CABEZUDOS DE MADRID - 2016" uploaded to YouTube by Cicerone TV, Viajes, cultura y buenos restaurantes, on May 18, 2016
• "La Pradera de San Isidro in Madrid Spain" uploaded to YouTube by Samuel Garza on May 21, 2019
• "San Isidro Festival 2022" by Rove.Me, last updated April 5, 2021
• "Feast of Saint Isidore in Madrid" from AnyDayGuide.com 
• "San Isidro Festival" by Spanish Fiestas
• "Feast of St. Isidro (in lieu) in Madrid in 2022" from OfficeHolidays.com 
• "Intrepid's Ultimate Guide to Fiesta de San Isidro" from IntrepidTravel.com 
• "Clase para aprender a bailar el chotis como un auténtico castizo" uploaded to YouTube by El HuffPost on May 14, 2015
• "Chotis Madrid, Madrid, Madrid" uploaded to YouTube by Doriroga on May 16, 2018

La Comida

• "San Isidro 2020: Receta de entresijos y gallinejas" by Gemma Meca for OK Diario on May 15, 2020
• "Gallinejas and Entresijos: The Melancholic Mesentery of Madrid" from Vittles, piece written by Abbas Asaria and posted September 13, 2021
• "Cocido Madrileño: The Stew That Has Sustained Madrid for 600 Years" by Lidia Molina Whyte
  for CultureTrip.com on January 17, 2020
• "Cómo hacer un cocido madrileño de manera tradicional y fácil" by Alfonso López from Recetas de Recupetes
• "COCIDO MADRILEÑO" from Spain Recipes
• "Cocido Madrileno" by Luis Luna on AllRecipes.com 
• "How To Make Barquillos" uploaded to YouTube by Savor Easy on March 26, 2019
• "Barquillos: Spain's unique street food roulette" by Jessica Vincent for the BBC on October 22, 2020
• "Limonada madrileña" by Angela CM for Conocer Madrid on March 2, 2013
• "Rosquillas" by Renards Gourmets for 196 Flavors
• "Rosquillas Santa Clara" by Mabel Mendez on Pasteles de Colores
• "Rosquillas de San Isidro" by Blue Jellybeans on May 18, 2011

Cultural Tip

• None

Today's episode will be a bit longer than normal, but it covers a topic I've really wanted to talk about for a long time. We all know how to use the conjunction but in English, but Spanish actually differentiates between the different nuances of but with the words sino and pero. This can be tricky for English-speakers, so today we'll do a deep dive into what these words mean and how to correctly use them! And for our Cultural Tip, we'll begin looking at Guatemala. :)

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

© 2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 69

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• Wordreference.com 
• "Pero" from REAL ACADEMIA ESPAÑOLA: Diccionario de la lengua española, 23.ª ed., [versión 23.5 en línea]. Accessed April 15, 2022
• "Sino" from REAL ACADEMIA ESPAÑOLA: Diccionario de la lengua española, 23.ª ed., [versión 23.5 en línea]. Accessed April 15, 2022
• "Cuál es la diferencia entre ‘pero’ y ‘sino’" by Cata for Practiquemos on July 14, 2020
• "Pero vs Sino – How to Avoid Mistakes with “But” in Spanish" by Andrew Barre for Real Fast Spanish
• "Pero vs. Sino" from SpanishDict.com by Curiosity Media Inc., accessed April 15, 2022
• "What’s the Difference Between Pero and Sino?" by Daniela Sanchez for ¡Tell me in Spanish!

Cultural Tip

• "Guatemala" from the CIA's World Factbook, last updated March 30, 2022
• "One Page Summary: Guatemala" from the CIA's World Factbook, last updated October 2021
• "A History of Guatemala" by Tim Lambert for Local Histories, last revised 2020
• "History of Guatemala" by CentralAmerica.com

Ready to go over some more false friends in Spanish? Here are 7 more words to help you avoid any embarrassing blunders or miscommunications. :) And in our cultural tip, we'll highlight three unique festivals in Chile!

I'm sorry this episode is so late! I had planned to get everything done before we had guests visit, but then my poor daughter got sick and those plans went out the window! Thankfully, she is feeling much better now and we were able to have a blessed time with family. My next episode should be on-time, Lord willing! :D Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Remember, learning a language is a lifelong journey.
¡Aprovéchalo, Disfrútalo y Compártelo!

SHOW NOTES:

© 2022 by Language Answers, LLC
Blog for Episode 68

Intro and Closing Music by Master_Service from Fiverr

Cultural Tip Transition Music edited from song by JuliusH from Pixabay

Resource Links

Episode Content 

• Episode 45: False Friends
• Wordreference.com 
• "20 Surprising Spanish-English False Friends Everyone Falls For" by Lisa for FluentU
• "15 Spanish False Friends about Emotion" by Real Fast Spanish
• "Falsos amigos" by Lawless Spanish
• "Lista de falsos amigos en inglés" by  Adriana Jiménez for Babel on January 29, 2020
• "Los 11 falsos amigos más comunes entre el inglés y el español" by Ana Sánchez for Verbling on November 25, 2015

Cultural Tip

• "Chilean Traditional Festivals" by Marca Chile on March 7, 2019
• "The History and Dances of the Chilean Festival: Fiesta de la Tirana" by Michelle Margaret Fajkus for Spanish Academy on June 20, 2021
• "Virgin of La Tirana Festival" by Carnivaland
• "Fiesta de la Tirana" by Teleclases Chile, uploaded to YouTube on February 5, 2021
• "SERNATUR Tarapacá / La Tirana" by Sernatur Tarapacá, uploaded to YouTube on July 21, 2017
• "Wine grape harvest festival (Curicó valley, Chile)" by Alfredo de La Viñita, uploaded to YouTube on April 5, 2018
• "Fiesta de la Vendimia Curicó 2019" by TVCentro, uploaded to YouTube on March 25, 2019
• "What to do in Chile: Tapati Rapa Nui" by Chile Travel, uploaded to YouTube on May 14, 2018
• "Resumen Tapati Rapa Nui 2021" by Mana Tv Rapa Nui, uploaded to YouTube on February 23, 2021
• "3 Most Popular Festivals of Chile" by Donald Devil for Prix Constantin, October 17, 2020
• "Tapati Rapa Nui festival" by Easter Island Travel