Category Archives: Language
The Search For Salvadoran Characters
In response to the New York Times article regarding the lack of Latino authors and books for children, Latina bloggers have launched the “Latinas for Latino Literature” campaign which works to identify the problems in today’s publishing world that contribute to this lack of diversity so that we can provide ideas for changing the situation to the benefit of not only Latino readers and writers, but to the benefit of the industry itself as they tap into this growing demographic. Look out for forthcoming Google hangouts, Twitter parties, and follow-up posts as this coordinated effort to bring quality books to an emerging group of readers continues.
I kneeled on the coarse, crimson carpet at the library, the third library I had visited that week, trying to find something, anything, on the shelves about El Salvador – the native country of my new husband. I often left libraries and bookstores defeated, with a stack of novels about Mexico, Mexicans, migrant workers – stories that I ended up loving, and still love – but what I really wanted was a book with Salvadoran characters, and I couldn’t find any. Any book I did manage to find about El Salvador would be non-fiction, and usually about the civil war.
When I became a mother of two boys, two Salvadoran-American boys, I wanted desperately to buy them books and read them stories with characters they could relate to. Again, visits to the library and bookstore turned up books featuring Mexican and Mexican-American characters, when we were lucky.
These days, the library selection has gotten better, and the online selection is a dream come true compared to what I faced when my boys were younger. I’ve read books about Cubans and Puerto Ricans, Argentinians, Venezuelans, Guatemalans and Paraguayans, and thanks to Sandra Benitez, an amazing book called “Bitter Grounds” with a diverse Salvadoran cast. I stayed up late turning the pages, almost not believing that after so many years, I was finally reading a book with Salvadoran characters.
Why am I writing this? – Because I want the publishing industry to know that I am here – an avid reader, hungry for these books for myself, for my husband, for our boys, and for the children out there whose parents won’t go to the trouble I’ve gone to – the children who are at the mercy of whatever their school librarian decides to put on the shelves.
I want it to be known that I hunger for even more diversity, for Latin American characters and characters of Latin American descent from all walks of life. Don’t stop telling the story of the migrant worker, the immigrant, of Mexicans – but let us hear other voices too. We want to hear from characters who are rich, who are poor, and everything in between. We want characters who are white collar workers, and blue collar workers. We want characters who are beautiful, ugly, inspirational, relatable, flawed, ordinary, outrageous, wise, hilarious, serious, complex – in other words, we want all the diversity of voices that are available in the general market. Please, keep seeking out fresh authors and publishing their stories – We are here waiting for them, (and in some cases, some of us are here writing them, too.)
A few of my favorite books for children. Click the image for more.
These are some of my favorite Middle Grade and YA books. Click the image for more.
These are some of my favorite books for adults. Click the image to check out more.
Do you feel there’s enough diversity in the books commonly available in bookstores and libraries? Which Latino/a author or book most influenced you and why?
Chécalo: Other “Latinas for Latino Literature“
Mixing Traditions for a Bicultural Christmas
(Free Gift Tag! Go ahead and print this image to attach to gifts for familia y amigos!)
Most of you know that I write for several websites each month. I usually share those links on the Latinaish Facebook Page, but I wanted to link this one up here for those who might not be on Facebook since this particular post is so relevant to my usual content on Latinaish. I also took the opportunity to make a bicultural/bilingual gift tag for your Christmas gifts (see above!) Feel free to print it out and use it!
Now for the post:
Mixing Traditions for a Bicultural Christmas
Fifteen years ago I married Carlos, a Salvadoran immigrant who spoke little English. Because we were young, pregnant, and poor at the time—instead of moving to our own place—I moved Carlos into my parents’ house where I was still living. From the outside it didn’t seem like the most ideal situation, but living with my English-speaking Anglo parents turned out to be a unique opportunity for Carlos to get a crash course in English and American culture.
Of course, living in such a situation made our diverse backgrounds that much more apparent—especially during holidays, and especially during Christmas…[READ MORE HERE]
Sonus – Bilingual Boy Band
Check out these clever, clever boys. Alex, Marcelo, and Andres are three brothers and together they are the band, Sonus.
All three boys were born in California but live in Argentina and I’m predicting right now, (thanks in part to their smart bilingual marketing and strong social media presence), that they are going to be the NEXT BIG THING in the United States. (The music is catchy too!)
Chécalo!
Spanish-language song – Vecina
English version – Save Me Tonight
(Hat tip to WetPaint.com)
Lista de Deseos
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. Scroll down for English translation!
Image source: Matt & Megan
Esta semana yo estaba ocupadísima y todavia me quedan cosas en mi “to-do list” (“lista de cosas por hacer” – Me gusta que en español “to-do list” parece a “todo list”, porque tiene todo lo que tengo que hacer.)
Una cosa en mi “to-do list” es escribir mi blog post de Spanish Friday, también escribir mi “wishlist” (cosas que quiero por Navidad), para Carlos. Dejame explicar que no soy el tipo de persona que anda dando mi “wishlist” a todos, esperando que me compren algo – pero Carlos me lo pidió porque tiene miedo de comprarme algo que no me gusta, (como las flores fibra ópticas que me compró por nuestra primera Navidad.)
Entonces, voy a matar dos pájaros de un sólo tiro – Aquí está mi blog post de Spanish Friday, y también unas ideas para Carlos cuando ande buscando mi regalito de Navidad.
Mi Lista de Deseos
(Bueno, Mi Lista de Deseos que podemos comprar con el dinero en nuestro presupuesto y los deseos que son apropiados por publicar.)
#1. Pijamas de franela de cuadros
#2. Una camiseta de Chicharito (si no te gusta lo de México aunque me gusta mucho el jersey negro, está bien una de Manchester United.)
#3. Un certificado de regalos para la tienda Books-a-Million
#4. Cilantro acondicionador para el cabello de MALIN+GOETZ
#5. Una camiseta de La Selecta Playera de El Salvador (marca mitre, nombre: Agustín Ruíz)
#6. Global Warming por Pitbull, (CD, versión explícita)
#7. Una pelota “Ludo” (pero todavia no está disponible)
#8. “S” Shakira Eau Florale, (el perfume de la botella rosada que me compraste el año pasado)
#9. Una visita al Museo Nacional de Historia Americana en Washington, D.C., y despues a comer pupusas.
#10. Traerme una pizza (hongos y aceitunas negras), una caja de trufas de chocolate, y mirar la película “The King & I”, “French Kiss” o ” Ever After: A Cinderella Story” conmigo.
Y tú? Qué tienes en tu lista de deseos?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
This week I was very busy and I still have things on my “to-do list” (I like that in Spanish “to-do list” looks like “todo [everything] list” because it has everything I need to do on it.)
One thing on my “to-do list” is to write my blog post for Spanish Friday, and another is to write my “wishlist” (things I want for Christmas) for Carlos. Let me explain that I am not the type of person who goes around giving my wishlist to everyone expecting them to buy me something – but Carlos asked me for a list because he’s afraid of buying something I won’t like, (like the fiber optic flowers he bought for our first Christmas.)
So, I’ll kill two birds with one stone – Here’s my blog post for Spanish Friday, and also some ideas for Carlos when he goes looking for my Christmas gift.
My Wishlist
(Well, My Wishlist of things we can afford on our budget and that are appropriate for sharing here.)
#1. Plaid flannel pajamas
#2. A Chicharito jersey (if you don’t like the Mexican jersey, although I love the black one, Manchester United is fine.)
#3. A gift certificate for the store Books-A-Million
#4. Cilantro hair conditioner from MALIN+GOETZ
#5. A La Selecta T-shirt for the El Salvador Beach team – (brand mitre, name: Agustín Ruíz)
#6. Global Warming by Pitbull (CD, explicit version)
#7. A “Ludo” ball (not yet available.)
#8. “S” Shakira Eau Florale, (the pink bottle of perfume that you bought me last year.)
#9. A visit to the National Museum of American History in Washington DC, and then to eat pupusas.
#10. Bring me a pizza (mushrooms and black olives), a box of chocolate truffles, and watch the movie “The King & I”, “French Kiss” or “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” with me.
How about you? What’s on your wishlist?
Carlos y Su Camión Grande
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. Scroll down for English translation!
Hace cuatro meses Carlos cambió su trabajo. Fue una decisión grande y un gran riesgo. ¿Quedarse con lo cierto o tomar un chance? Carlos decidió ir por ello y, gracias a Dios, ha sido tan feliz. Conduce un camión en una cantera, moviendo rocas. Le encanta conducir el camión grande. Es el sueño de todos los niños chiquitos que alguna vez jugaban con un camión de juguete en una caja de arena!
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
Four months ago Carlos changed jobs. It was a big decision and a big risk. Stay with the sure thing, or take a chance? Carlos decided to go for it, and thank God, he’s been really happy. He drives a truck at a quarry, moving rocks. He loves driving the big truck. It’s the dream of every little boy who once played with a toy truck in a sand box!
Dog Naming in El Salvador
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. Scroll down for English translation!
Como dije la semana pasada, nosotros adaptamos a un perro y le pusimos el nombre “Chico.” El otro día Carlos habló a un amigo en El Salvador y le contó sobre nuestro nuevo miembro de la familia.
Carlos: “Le pusimos el nombre Chico.”
El amigo: “Y es el nombre de alguien con quien no te llevas bien?”
Carlos: “No, ¿por qué?”
El amigo: “Porque así hacemos a veces en El Salvador. Un vecino ya pusó mi nombre a su perro.”
Después de la llamada, Carlos me contó que dijo su amigo.
“Qué interesante,” dije, “Pero ¿no crees que ‘suegra’ es un nombre extraño para un perro?”
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
As I said last week, we adopted a dog and named him “Chico.” The other day Carlos called a friend in El Salvador and told him about the new member of our family.
Carlos: “We named him Chico.”
The friend: “And is that the name of someone you don’t get along with?”
Carlos: “No, why?”
The friend: “Because that’s what we do sometimes in El Salvador. The neighbor already named his dog after me.”
After the phone call, Carlos told me what his friend had said.
“How interesting,” I said, “But don’t you think that ‘mother-in-law’ is a strange name for a dog?”
Bilingual Parenting Takes Commitment… and Re-commitment
Sometimes I think I have the bilingual parenting thing down. We get into a groove and I’m speaking Spanish to my kids and they, more and more, are responding to me in Spanish – but it’s inevitable that just when we’ve hit our stride and are on the road to fluency, we will have a setback.
One big problem for me is that I don’t speak Spanish when I’m stressed or tired or very busy. The other day I woke up and realized, “My God, I’ve been stressed and tired and very busy the past few weeks! I’ve had so much on my mind and so many deadlines. I’ve barely spoken Spanish to my kids at all!”
This is when I kick myself in the nalgas and promise to start all over again.
Yesterday morning before my younger son left for school, I warned him not to run to the bus as he usually does, because a slick layer of frost covered the ground.
“Cuando venga el bus, no vayas corriendo, okay? El suelo está bien liso, entiendes?”
My son tilted his head not unlike a dog when you speak to it. I could almost see the words enter his ear, twist themselves inside his brain and translate one-by-one into English. He spoke aloud as he decoded the message.
“When the bus comes… don’t run… because…the ground is slippery?”
He still understands me, but there is more lag time. Then when he speaks, he doesn’t even realize he’s mixing English and Spanish in ways I’ve never even heard before.
After school he asked me what day we’re going to his grandmother’s house for Thanksgiving.
“El viente dos,” I said.
“Oh, el twenty dos,” he answered.
There’s no point in lamenting wasted time and stalled progress. I’m human, I was tired, I spent weeks speaking very little Spanish to my kids who I desperately want to be fully bilingual. It happens. Seguimos adelante.
____
Related: SpanglishBaby: Raising a Bilingual Child is Always a Work in Progress
Mi Perro Bilingüe
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is in italics!
Hay un nuevo miembro de nuestra familia! – Es un perrito que adoptamos. Pusimos el nombre “Chico” y ya está aprendiendo a ser bilingüe. Chécalo!
There’s a new member of our family! – It’s a puppy that we adopted. We named him “Chico” and he’s already learning to be bilingual. Check it out!
Atol de Elote
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
“Tenemos Atol de Elote!” dijo el cajero salvadoreño en el mercado latino. Él sonrió y tocó un gran recipiente de metal que parecía un pequeño barril.
“Atol de Elote?” dije, tratando de ganar tiempo.
“Sí, bien rico!” dijo el cajero.
Yo no quería ser desagradable pero Atol de Elote nunca me tentó. Que quiero decir, es una bebida hecha de maíz. Si tú dices “bebida de maíz” a la mayoría de los gringos, se sentirán disgustados.
De todos modos, acepté una taza de Atol de Elote y tomé un sorbo. Yo estaba dispuesta a regalar una sonrisa y decir que estaba delicioso sólo para estar agradable pero me sorprendió. Realmente era delicioso! Atol de Elote es perfecto para el clima frío, también – mejor que el Chocolate Caliente porque te llena.
Decidí tratar de hacer mi propio Atol de Elote pero en los Estados Unidos no podemos comprar mazorcas de maíz en el invierno. Esta receta utiliza maíz congelado. También usé leche de 1% por lo que es un poco más delgado que lo que traté en el mercado latino. Si quieres tu Atol de Elote más espesado, creo que usando leche entera iba a funcionar. Dale una prueba la receta y déjeme saber lo que piensas! … Acabo de hacer una olla y Carlos bebió una taza grande. Cálido y lleno, se quedó dormido en el sofá.
Atol de Elote
Necesitas:
5 tazas granos de maíz amarillo enteros congelados
6 tazas de leche
6 tazas de agua
1 1/4 tazas de azúcar
1/2 cucharadita de sal
3 rajas de canela
1 cucharadita de extracto de vainilla
Instrucciones:
1. Deja una taza de maíz a un lado.
2. En una licuadora, agregue 4 tazas de maíz y 4 tazas de agua. Mezcle 1 minuto.
3. Vierta el líquido de maíz en una olla grande con 2 tazas más de agua, la taza de maíz, palitos de canela y azúcar.
4. Revuelva constantemente a fuego medio por 5 a 10 minutos.
5. Agregue la leche. Revuelva constantemente por 15 minutos.
6. Retire del fuego. Añade la sal y el extracto de vainilla. Mezcle para combinar.
7. Sirva caliente en tazas.
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
“We have Atol de Elote!” the Salvadoran cashier said at the Latino market. He smiled and touched a large metal container that looked like a small barrel.
“Atol de Elote?” I said, trying to buy time.
“Yeah, it’s good!” said the cashier.
I didn’t want to be rude but Atol de Elote has never tempted me. I mean, it’s a drink made from corn. If you say “corn drink” to most Americans, they will feel disgusted.
Regardless, I accepted a cup of Atol de Elote and took a sip. I was prepared to give a polite smile and say it was delicious but I was surprised. It really was delicious! Atol de Elote is perfect for cold weather, too – better than hot chocolate because it fills you up.
I decided to try to make my own Atol de Elote but in the United States we can’t buy corn on the cob in the winter. This recipe uses frozen corn. I also used 1% milk so it is a bit thinner than what I tried at the Latino market. If you want your Atol de Elote thicker, I think using whole milk would work. Give the recipe a try and let me know what you think! … I just made a pot of it and Carlos drank a large cup. Warm and full he fell asleep on the sofa.
Atol de Elote
You Need:
5 cups frozen whole kernels of yellow corn
6 cups milk
6 cups water
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Set a cup of corn aside.
2. In a blender, add 4 cups of corn and 4 cups water. Blend 1 minute.
3. Pour the liquid corn mixture into a large pot with 2 cups of water, the cup of corn, sugar and cinnamon sticks.
4. Stir constantly over medium heat for 5-10 minutes.
5. Add the milk. Stir constantly for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from heat. Add the salt and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
7. Serve hot in mugs.
Celebrating Día de los Difuntos
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Este año no pensé que ibamos a tener una ofrenda por Día de los Muertos. Dos años pasados, sin realizar que los salvadoreños no celebran Día de los Muertos igual que los mexicanos, hice una ofrenda para el papá de Carlos. Carlos agradeció el gesto pero ponía algo triste y esto no fue mi intención. El problema fue que Carlos no estaba acostumbrado tener una ofrenda porque en El Salvador no se hace eso.
Mientras que los mexicanos llaman el día “Día de los Muertos” y celebran la muerte, abrazan la muerte, aún se ríen de ella – los salvadoreños llaman el día “Día de los Difuntos” y lo consideran un día de recordar sus queridos fallecidos en una manera mucho más sombría.
El año pasado, no queriendo repetir mi error, no tenía previsto hacer una ofrenda, pero mis hijos me dijeron que les gustó la tradición y querian tener una. Entonces, hicimos una ofrenda por nuestro perro que se murió.
Este año no tenía planes por hacer una ofrenda otra vez, pero Carlos me dijo que ya se siente comodo en tener una ofrenda con sus queridos fallecidos. Entonces, nuestra ofrenda incluye el papá de Carlos, la abuela de Carlos, el abuelo de Carlos, (que se murió sólo una mes atrás), mi abuelo y dos perros.
Hay demasiados detalles en la ofrenda por explicar, pero les voy a explicar un poco. Tal vez ustedes pueden buscar los artículos en la foto que menciono.
El papá de Carlos, (“Don Max”) le gustó mucho el casamiento – un plato hecho de arroz y frijoles. Por eso, hay arroz y frijoles. También tuvo un camión pick-up, y estaba muy orgulloso de él. El papá de Carlos era un entrenador de fútbol y le gustaba echar chile en su comida, (algo raro por un salvadoreño, pero algo que le gusta a Carlos también.) Don Max no era muy religoso pero era super dedicado a San Antonio.
Mi abuelo tampoco era muy religoso, pero identificó como judío. Le gustó la música “Big Band” y se comió Corn Flakes cada mañana.
Hay una historia sobre el abuelo de Carlos. “Papá Milo” era muy bueno por nadar y a veces cruzó el Río Lempa nadando para traer grandes bolsas de maíz para su familia. El abuelo de Carlos también fue el alcalde de un pueblo de Chalatenango, y casi siempre andaba con sombrero de vaquero.
La abuela de Carlos se llamaba “Mamá Juana” y era una mujer muy dulce. Ella tuvo diez hijos, y le encantaban las flores. Yo recuerdo que a veces Mamá Juana, en la manera de muchas salvadoreñas del pueblo, usaba un delantal encima de su vestido, aunque no estaba cocinando.
¿Hiciste una ofrenda tú? Quién estás recordando?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
This year I didn’t think we’d have an altar for Day of the Dead. Two years ago, without realizing that Salvadorans don’t celebrate Day of the Dead the same way Mexicans do, I made an altar for Carlos’s father. Carlos appreciated the gesture but it made him kind of sad, which was not my intention. The problem was that Carlos wasn’t used to having an altar because Salvadorans don’t make them.
While Mexicans call the day “Día de los Muertos” and celebrate death, embrace death, and even laugh at death – Salvadorans call the day “Día de los Difuntos” and consider it a day to remember your passed loved ones in a much more somber way.
Last year, not wanting to repeat my mistake, I didn’t have plans to make an altar, but my boys told me they liked the tradition and wanted to have one. So, we made an altar to one of our dogs which had died.
This year, again I didn’t have plans to make an altar, but Carlos told me he feels more comfortable now to have an altar with his passed loved ones. So, this year we have an altar which includes Carlos’s father, Carlos’s grandmother, Carlos’s grandfather, (who died only a month ago), my grandfather, and two dogs.
There are too many details to explain them all, but I will explain the altar to you a little. Maybe you can find the items I’ll mention in the photo.
The father of Carlos, (“Don Max”) really liked casamiento – a dish made from rice and beans. For that reason, there are rice and beans. He also had a pick-up truck which he was very proud of. Carlos’s father was a football coach and he liked to put chile pepper on his food, (kind of rare for a Salvadoran, but something Carlos also likes to do.) Don Max wasn’t very religious but he was super dedicated to Saint Anthony.
My grandfather wasn’t very religious either, but he identified as Jewish. He liked Big Band music and ate Corn Flakes every morning.
There’s a story about Carlos’s grandfather. “Papá Milo” was really good at swimming and sometimes he would swim across the Lempa River to bring big bags of corn to his family. Carlos’s grandfather was also the mayor of a town in Chalatenango and almost always wore a cowboy hat.
Carlos’s grandmother was called “Mamá Juana” and was a really sweet woman. She had ten children and she loved flowers. I remember that sometimes Mamá Juana, in the way of many Salvadoran women from the countryside, used to wear an apron over her dress, even though she wasn’t cooking.
