Visual Link Spanish Newsletter (V:1; I:14)

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Learn Spanish Culture ----- Gringo

As promised last week, today I'm going to talk about the term "Gringo". Some Americans (and people from other countries) get offended when a Spanish speaker calls them "Gringo." This is only because they don't understand what the term "Gringo" really means. Those of you learning Spanish who haven't heard it should also continue reading because you never know!

According to my upper division Spanish professors, back when I was in college, there was a war years ago in which the United States and Mexico were involved; there were many American soldiers in Mexico. The soldiers were dressed in their military-green uniforms and the Mexicans didn't want them in Mexico anymore. In an effort to get the soldiers to leave, some of the Mexicans knew enough English to create a verbal message for the Americans. They said "Green, Go!!" talking to the soldiers in the "green" uniforms. The phrase caught on quickly and within a few years any foreigner, especially with lighter hair, became known as a "Gringo."

When you travel to a Spanish-speaking country and they call you "Gringo", don't get upset or offended. They are just saying that you are a foreigner. When I was living in Latin America, I can't tell you how many times people called me "Gringo". I became accostumed to hearing it and now consider it a privelege to be a "Gringo". Even though I may not sound like a "Gringo" when I talk, with dark blond hair, I definitely look like a "Gringo".

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¡Hasta luego! (I hope everything goes well for you!)


David S. Clark -- President
U.S. Institute of Languages
dave@spanishprograms.com
http://www.spanishprograms.com