Peruvian Regional Spanish Series

[Joseph]

Peruvian Regional Spanish Series

En este ciclo de habla regional peruana, les daremos a conocer aspectos del habla popular así como de la culta.

(In this Peruvian Regional Series, we'll introduce you to aspects of popular as well as refined speech.)

De modo que les mostraremos la amplia diversidad de expresión hablada en Lima, la capital peruana, pues en ella habita casi la tercera parte de la población.

(So, we'll show you the wide diversity of spoken expression in Lima, the Peruvian capital, for almost one third of the population inhabits it.)

Si bien el español como idioma está normado por la Academia de la Lengua, y su aplicación se circunscribe a los ámbitos formales, nosotros nos enfocaremos en las manifestaciones populares del habla, ricas en matices.

(Even though Spanish as a language is governed by the Academia de la Lengua, and its application is circumscribed in formal spheres, we will focus on the popular manifestations, rich in nuances.)

Lima no está habitada sólo por limeños. Como ocurre actualmente en muchas urbes, y teniendo en cuenta el fenómeno peruano de “centralización”, en Lima hallamos una amplia gama de personajes procedentes de todo el país y de muchos países extranjeros.

(Lima is not only inhabited by Limeñans. As is currently happening in many large cities, and keeping in mind the Peruvian phenomenon of "centralization", in Lima we find a wide range of people coming from all over the country and from many foreign countries.)

La Lima de hasta la primera mitad del siglo XX, conservadora y aristocrática ha cambiado bajo el influjo de la migración y la industrialización. Esto ha originado el incremento de la población limeña, ahora en su mayoría integrada por migrantes en busca de mejores condiciones de vida.

(The Lima from up to the first hald of the twentieth century, conservative and aristocratic, has changed under the influence of migration and industrialization. This has given rise to the increase in Limeñan population, now mostly made up of migrants in search of better living conditions.)

El fenómeno migratorio se intensificó en la década de los 80 por causa del terrorismo que asoló los pueblos de la sierra. Mucha gente no encontró mejor opción que asentarse en Lima.

(The migratory phenomenon was intensified in the 1980's by the terrorism that ravaged highland towns. Many people didn't find a better option than to settle in Lima.)

Así pues, en Lima no solo hay limeños. Moran en ella habitantes de todo el Perú que la hacen un mosaico de manifestaciones culturales. Han traído sus costumbres, sus valores, sus creencias, su comida, sus atuendos y también su habla.

(So it is, in Lima there aren't only Limeñans. Inhabitants from all over Peru reside there, who make a mosaic of cultural manifestations. They've brought their customs, their values, their beliefs, their food, their attire and also their speech.)

La lengua es parte de nuestra imagen, nos refleja íntegramente y vive, a su modo, en cada uno de los hablantes.

(Language is part of our image: it reflects us entirely and lives, in its own way, within each of its speakers.)

We hope that you enjoy this series and that it sheds like on the diversity of the Spanish language.

Beatriz and Joseph

[quique]

Hi!

Just in case some students are getting confused about all these spanish "variants" , probably you've already advised them but I'll like to say that: It's not important what particular "variant" of spanish you learn . For example: It's ok if you learn spanish used in Mexico and then you have the opportunity to travel to Perú. I guarantee that people will undestand you. But of course, you must read these regional series because ... well , they're very funny and there's nothing better than having fun learning a language, just keep in mind that it's ok if you don't fully undestand them or you don't know how or when you can or can't use them ... no problem at all.

Now, on the other hand ... if you do memorize all these peruvian slang : please, please don't try to use all of them in the same conversation unless you're talking to a very close friend. It's safe if you use one or two in any casual conversation.

Ok, back to the fun part: (I'm following the comments at
http://www.spanishpod101.com/2008/01/12 ... -peruvian/)

I would like to add more "reversed syllables" (Vesre) , it seems that this practice comes from Argentina :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesre
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesre
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesre_peruano

(Wikipedia is great isn't it? )

"Ponja" for "Japón" but we use it instead of "japonés" (japanese)
"Telo" for "Hotel" but you don't use it to refer to your suite at the Marriot , most of the time it refers to a "Short-time hotel" where people don't need full night's accommodation. You guess why.
"Fercho" for "Chofer" (driver as in taxi driver)
"Mionca" for "Camión" (truck)
"Jonca" for "Cajón" (box? can't get a good translation ).
"Lonpa" for "Pantalón" (pants / slacks)
"Lleca" for "Calle" (street)
"Lopo" for "Polo" (T-shirt)
"Llopo" for "Pollo" (chicken)
"Choborra" for "Borracho" (drunk)
"Tegen" for "Gente" (people)
"Grone" for "Negro" (black) but this is used only to refer to the followers of "Alianza Lima" soccer team (of course, to the soccer team members too).
"Jerma" for "Mujer" (woman)


There must be some more for sure

Regards
Quique