Category: Language

Jeb Celebrates Hispanic Heritage with Spanish-Language Ad Featuring ‘Abuelas’, Anchor Babies

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Hispanic Heritage Month campaign ad features -- what else?-- an abuela.
Jeb Bush’ Hispanic Heritage Month campaign ad features — what else?– an abuela.

While a bunch of prominent Latinos are getting ready to sing about their Mexicanness — in English — a prominent self-appointed Latino, Jeb Bush, is affirming his Americanness with a one-minute campaign advertisement in an almost spotless Spanish.

In a brand new spot — released just in time for Hispandering Heritage Month — Spanish-speaking Jeb! says “we” (apparently meaning Americans and Mexicans) all have the same interests and share the same feelings, and he also takes the opportunity to share some pretty pics of his anchor Mexican-American children.

Todos somos americanos also features a rare appearance from his wife of 41 years, Columba, not Columbia, nor Colombia, who is from Mexico.

Shakira, Wisin, Wyclef Jean: ‘We are all Mexican and we’re Here to Save you from El Trumpo’

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shakMex

I couldn’t make this stuff up if I wanted.

In yet another sign of the circus that the political/entertainment “Hispanic” environment has become, a group of “prominent” Latino musicians (i.e. Emilio Estefan et al) will be getting together to record We’re all Mexican, which according to Billboard magazine:

…. is a celebration of Hispanics and our accomplishments.

I think this basically means the celebration of the accomplishments of Estefan et al but we’ll see.

The track, set to be released later in September, will also include reggaeton singer Wisin, Wyclef Jean and even a Spanish-American chef.

Will somebody please shoot me now?

Nonsensical Trend of Putting an ‘Ñ’ where it Doesn’t Belong Extends to Marketing World

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Excuse-me?
Transformative, Visionary & ‘Pioñeering’

Remember the “Latiñas” in Media New York Conference?

How about Spaiñ?

Well, it looks like the foolish trend of putting accents and eñes where they don’t belong is making its way to the media world.

According to NBC News, a group of “prominent Latinos” (is there any other kind?) has come together to found Ingeñuity a “content and experiential event firm that aims to connect clients with diverse audiences, with a focus on the Latino community.”

I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think they meant to say it’s a conteñt and experieñtial eveñt firm to coññect Latiño clieñts.

Ay, carambiña!

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Trump Sends Ramos Back to Univision; Ramos not Helping Make America Great Again

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trumpRamos

Donald Trump (aka Mexico’s favorite piñata) this evening decided to kick Jorge Ramos out of a press conference, because Ramos wouldn’t sit down nor shut up, which basically means he’s not helping make America great again.

¡Pinche Ramos, pues!

Here’s a Vine from the great Gabe Ortiz

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Yeah, Hispanic Scholarships Sound like a Swell Idea, but Right Now We Need a ‘Delibrero’

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delibrero

Attention, New York Hispanics!

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is offering help to “prepare, plan and pay for your children’s university,” which is, like, great, but let’s be honest: Chances are you’re going to end up in debt anyhow, and your children, cleaning toilets for Donald Trump.

But don’t despair. You might want to call the number above and get yourself a steady job as a “delibrero,” which I can assure you is an activity in high demand — at least in Hispanic Harlem.

Now, if being a “delibrero” is not your thing, you might want to consider this awesome sandwich opportunity, also in Harlem and — naturally — well paid. (NOTE: little to no English required. Yay!)

But hurry! the American Dream might not wait for you forever.

Photo: Laura Martínez, Harlem, August 2015

French Café Google Translates Menu. Hilarity Ensues

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MenusFranciaThe owners of the Café Cordial in Paris’ Opera District are very nice people. Not only do they make sure to mumble some English words for the crowds of American visitors who show up there everyday without speaking a word of French; but they even go out of their way to translate their menu not in one but in two languages.

While some of the English translations in their menu is OK (I just said “OK,”) it is clear that they got lost in the [Google] Spanish translation.

Here are some hilarious examples.

BLOGGER’S NOTE: Apologies to the monolingual crowd; this is funny only if you understand both English and Spanish.

1. Croissant = The thing that grows

There’s the translation for croissant as “1 que crece” (literally: one thing that grows) and toast as “brindis,” as in the toast to happiness….

1quecrece

2. Smoked Salmon = The salmon who had too much to smoke

SalmonFumado

3. The Horny Goat that is served over a salutation

CabraCalor

There are several more yet to be highlighted… Be my guest and find them yourselves, will you? I’m too busy dealing with the country’s Happy Hours.

Photos: Laura Martínez, Paris 2015

‘Le Burrito’ at this French Joint Will Give you ‘Le Diarrhée’

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CuisineMexicaine

Fresh Burritos, a “fine” establishment in the heart of Lille, France, promises (in French) to serve you 100% Fresh Burritos (in English) and will prepare everything in front of your eyes! (yes, with an exclamation point!)

I was tempted for a minute, but then I realized Le menu looks suspiciously similar to any bad Mexican faire á l’américaine: I’m afraid the 4.90 euro combo of La boisson, les patatas, le cookie and le mini burrito will properly give me Le diarrhée.

… And don’t get me started on the non-descript orange sauce-like thing in the background.

So… merci, but non merci!

LeMenu1Photo: Laura Martínez, Lille, France 2015

 

Jeb Bush Can Tell if Someone Hails from Colombia, Not Columbia; Has Wife Named Columba

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Jeb Bush with [tiny] Mexican wife, Columba
Jeb Bush with [tiny] Mexican wife, Columba
It is not a huge secret that Jeb Bush has a pretty decent command of the Spanish language. And now, thanks to the New York Times, we also know he’s also good at guessing the Latin American country where a person is from based on his/her accent.

Per an a March 29, 2015 article:

HUDSON, N.H. — As Jeb Bush mingled with Hispanic workers on a company tour a few weeks ago on his first trip here as an all-but-declared candidate for president, he was able to guess the region in Colombia where one woman was born just from hearing her accent.

He should know better.

While many politicians — and pretty much most “regular Americans”– insist on confusing Colombia with Columbia –and viceversa — something like that would simply be an unforgivable and goofy mistake for a man whose Mexican wife goes by the name of –what else?– Columba.

Editor’s Note: Depending on the success -or not- of Jeb Bush’s campaign for 2016, this blogger will be launching a new category: #ItsColumbaNotColumbia 

Netflix Adds Univision, and that Means One thing…

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…. Soraya is BAAAAAAAACK!

lisiada

Per a Univision press release:

Netflix will now offer many hours of some of the most beloved and highly-rated shows from the Univision classics such as Teresa, Maria la del Barrio, Lo Que La Vida Me Robó, Por Ella Soy Eva, La Viuda Negra and Rosa de Guadalupe. The lineup also features some of the Top 20 novelas of all time including La Fea Mas Bella, Cuidado con el Angel and Rubi.

Yeah.. I know what you’re thinking

Mayor De Blasio Appoints Dora the Explorer Ambassador to NYC… Because Nueva York

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¡Bienvenidos a Nueva York!
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has appointed a cartoon character as the city’s official ’embajadora

Remember when Dora the Explorer was on her way to become Dora the Stripper?

Well, worry no more. The adorable bilingual heroine Dora the Explorer has been appointed New York City’s “family ambassador,” as part of a new tourism campaign in both English and Spanish. (I guess she’ll be keeping her innocent looks for a while longer. No cleavage and miniskirts, OK, Dora?)

Per an agreement between NYC & Company and Nickelodeon, families will be encouraged by Dora the Explorer to travel around the city’s family-friendly attractions. And this is how Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the whole thing:

“From the Staten Island Ferry and Times Square to the amazing diversity of Queens, the views from the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the wonderful Bronx Zoo, it’s no surprise New York City has become a favorite family destination […] I’m very excited to have Dora as our official embajadora to show families from across the globe the countless recreational and cultural riches of the five boroughs.”

I hope Dora’s Spanish will be a little better than that of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.

TBN Launches Hispanic TV Network Called -What Else?- Salsa

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TBN Salsa is 'geared toward next generation Hispanics who may not be fluent in Spanish but apparently love salsa.

Religious broadcaster Trinity Broadcasting Network on June will launch an English-language channel targeting what it called “next-generation” Latinos, which apparently are religious, prefer to speak English and — of course — love to dance and eat salsa.

Per a company press release:

TBN Salsa is ‘geared toward next generation Hispanics who may not be fluent in Spanish. […] It will initially debut in 38 major broadcast markets across America, including Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Seattle, and Phoenix.

And that’s just awesome because everybody knows that Hispanics, regardless their religion and language preference, simply love salsa: This one… and this one too!

No, Google, Kermit the Frog is not ‘Kermit la Rana’ in Spanish

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OK, Google. Let's try this again
OK, Google. Let’s try this again

Kermit the Frog, the friendly frog that became so famous in TV shows such as The Muppets and Sesame Street is actually called “René” in Mexico and “Gustavo” in Spain. But I guess that’s just too much for an automated voice-recognition, translation program.

During a brief demonstration today of its voice search app, Google’s Senior Vicepresident Sundar Pachai, reached for his smartphone to ask Google — using his voice — on Google’s search app — “How do you say Kermit the Frog in Spanish?.

Google’s response “Kermit la Rana.”

Wait. What?!

As anybody who was not born in the United States, Kermit came to be known as René in Mexico and pretty much all Latin America, and Gustavo in Spain. And as far as this blogger can tell you, nobody in the Spanish-speaking world knows him (or her?) as Kermit.

Yet, I’ve found video footage of the poor thing (René/Hermit/Gustavo) trying to explain his identity problem.

WATCH

via: CNET en Español

New .LAT Domain Will Instill ‘Latin Identity’ to Your Website

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Soy Latino punto Soy punto LAT... what?
Soy Latino punto Soy punto LAT… what?

Remember .SOY?

Google’s Latino-specific domain, crafted specifically with us — “The Latin people” — in mind will soon have (Latin) company.

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) has partnered with eCOM-LAC to launch yet another Latino-specific domain: .LAT, which according to its creators, is going to instill LATIN IDENTITY (yes, with bold and capital letters) to your Latino website targeting Latino people in this Latino world.

Keep in mind, though, that you must be a pretty wealthy LATINO, since the initial registration fee for a .LAT domain starts in “only” $75,000.

¡Ay caramba!

Hat tip: @Don_Marquito