Visual Link Spanish Newsletter (V:2; I:11)

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Spanish Culture ----- Latin American's are Serious about their #1 Pastime

Like many parts of the mundo (world), soccer is the "número uno" pastime in Latin America. Latin Americans are very serious about their soccer, and the fans are fanatical about their teams.

In Spanish, the word for soccer is "fútbol". It looks and sounds similar to the English word "football". However, if you are referring to U.S.-style "football", you say "fútbol americano" instead of "fútbol" which, as I mentioned, means "soccer" in español.

As I mentioned, Latin Americans are very serious about their "fútbol". Sometimes after a partidos (games), the fans meet each other afuera (outside). The fans from one equipo (team) are pitted against the fans from the other equipo and they will get into a physical pelea (fight). I guess it isn't enough for the partido to be decided by the final score; the fans want to really show who won by getting in a pelea after the partidos. Sometimes people actually mueren (die) in the fights!

In the country of Brazil, they don't speak español, but they are very integrated into the Latin American culture since they are surrounded on most sides by countries that speak español. Anyway, a few years ago, the equipo nacional (national team) of Brazil was in competición for the world title and their goal keeper missed a key stop. Some fans were so enojados (angry) when the team returned to Brazil that they found the goal keeper and lo mataron (they killed him). As I mencioné, they are very serious about their fútbol.

Professional deportes in the United States usually don't get serious enough that fans fight and kill each other or the atletas. If it is that way in other parts of the mundo, please e-mail and let me know.

Latinos here in the U.S. also are very serious about their fútbol. If the games aren't on their home televisión they will pay dinero to watch partidos on a big screen televisión at a local restaurant or casa of a friend.

Moral of the historia: If you are in Latin America, close to an estadio (stadium), just after a game, take cover fast or be sure to wear a bullet-proof vest. Or -- just stay away from the area altogether. Also, if you are friends with Latin people, it is good to be aware of how serious they are about their "fútbol". You many want to ask them about their equipo favorito (favorite team), or how the copa mundial (world cup) is going.

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Sneak peek at next week: Personal visit to someone in Latin America.

¡Hasta la próxima semana! (Until Next Week!)


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

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