When It’s Not Working: Out of Order, Useless—or Both?
In Mexico there are two ways of letting people know that something isn't working properly; they are interchangeable, with some exceptions
Discover Mexico Lifestyle
Discover lifestyles in Mexico and why so many people are choosing Mexico as a place to live and retire
Discover lifestyles in Mexico and why so many people are choosing Mexico as a place to live and retire
Lazarillo de Tormes
Foreign Native shares a practical suggestion for readers of literature wishing to avoid having their literary choices blindsided by a disparaging comment
But Which One? No Se Diga Mas, Sino Pero
Spanish has three different words for "but," and learning how to apply each one in different situations gives you additional flexibility in your conversations
Getting Through Traffic with an Oasis on the Frequency Band
Amid the relentless noise broadcast over the airwaves, lies an oasis of frequency modulation for radio listeners in their cars, and online
It’s Urgent that You Wait
Mexican Spanish is versatile when it comes to questions of time and punctuality through use of the diminutive term, "ahorita"
That’s what False (Cognate) Friends are for
There are many pairs of words in English-Spanish that look and sound similar but have very different meanings, known as 'false cognates'
Public Rótulos and their Dubious Ortografía
Hand-painted signs and sales boards can provide artistic flair and sometimes amusement, but spelling is not one of the sign-writers' fortés
Noise Pollution vs Noise as a Status Symbol
Noise pollution in Mexico City continues to carry on — long after city planners took measures to reduce air contamination in the capital
Comprehension: ¿Me Entiendes, o Me Explico?
A brief summary of two phrases in Spanish that, on the surface, intend to verify understanding but may come across as fake humility
Driving Tip: Read the Signs, then Ask for Directions
Even today with many modern roads and bridges putting a first-world stamp on major cities, Mexico still has some notorious sign posting
Variation on a Theme: the Spanish Verb Poder
The Spanish verb "poder" —to be able— can get tricky for Spanish language students as well as be a cause of headaches for Spanish speakers learning English
Animal Names in Spanish: Crowing About Nomenclature
One of the most rewarding, and frequently neglected, parts of learning another language is finding out the names of the different animals
