Archive for October 3rd, 2009

Spanish: Síncope

Author: Johns Smith

Spanish:Síncope

Pronunciation:Seen-koh-pay

Translation:Syncope

Function:Usage

You can make your writing and talk sound more “Hispanic” by joining the typical (and correct) English short sentences with a conjunction, preposition or, like in the example below, with a mere replacement of a period with a comma.

Ritmo con síncopes’ [syncopated rhythm] is the formal description of English writing, where short sentences are not the exception but the rule. Spanish way is just the opposite around: as long as sentences have something in common. On the other side, Spanish is called “a language with runaway paragraphs” by foreigners.
Example:Cuando lo necesite, tome la bolsa entre sus manos y rómpala, la piel entrará en contacto con la crema y así obtendrá el agua que necesita.

Translation:When in need you can take the bag with your hands and break it. The skin will make contact with the cream and will get the water it needs.

Spanish Salutation:Querida

Author: Johns Smith

Spanish Salutation:Querida

Pronunciation:Keh-ree-dah

Translation:Dear (female), mistress

Function:Salutation

Querida has several connotations, some of them very different from one another: it is used frequently as an introduction in personal letters written to female members of the family, i.e. ‘Querida madre’ [Dear mother], but when used as a noun, it means “mistress”.

Querida’ (or masculine Querido) can also be used in the middle of the sentence, just as any other adjective: ‘Es una muy querida amiga’ [She is a very dear friend] “Siempre fue un hijo muy querido” [He was always a very beloved son]

Example:Querida doña Olga Ruiz

Translation:Dear Mrs. Olga Ruiz