An example of everyday Spanish in action

Question

Hola amigos, thought I'd drop back by to share an example of everyday Spanish in action, in the form of a Christmas greeting from a Peruvian friend in Lima, a vet that I worked with on a project in the Amazon. I'm always very interested to see how native speakers actually use the language, and I'm no longer surprised to see that my literal perspective on translation is so very far from how the language is really used. Anyway, here's the message I received. I learned a lot in analyzing it.

Feliz Navidad!!!

..A mis amigos inolvidables! los que andan lejos y los de cerquita, los que celebraron hace poquito y los que esperamos para las 12, los animaleros, los que aman los bosques, los mares y el cielo, los soñadores, amigos de infancia, del cole, la facu, del monte, de viajes, de días interminables, historias, madrugadas, y cafecitos con chocolate!!!.. ...a todos ustedes que son las luces de mi arbolito..

Gracias por su amistad y por compartir tantos momentos, recuerdos, deseos y esperanzas!!!

mucha felicidad en estas fiestas y muchas sonrisas también!!!

Un fuerte abrazo!

Gracias y feliz Navidad Brett! - Nicole-B, Dec 25, 2009

They don't teach it that way, unfournately - BellaMargarita, Dec 25, 2009

Answer 1

Interesting to see the use of abbreviations... del cole, la facu.

I was stunned by how simply stated and easily understood it was. Usually I can't read anything that a native writes because of the idioms, slang, etc., but this note must have been written with less than fluent readers of Spanish in mind (hope that didn't include you). Thank you for returning to share it.

Answer 2

An attempt at translating (with heavy help from the double-click feature of this site )

Merry Christmas,

..To my unforgettable friends! Those that are far away and those that are near by, those that celebrate just a little and those that celebrate all 12 days, the veterinarians, those that love the forests, the oceans, and the sky, the dreamers, those that are friends from childhood, from the school, the faculty, from the mount, from travels, from endless days, stories, dawns, and cups of hot chocolate!!!...to all of you that are the lights on my little tree..

Thank you all for your friendship and for sharing so many moments, memories, desires and hopes!!!

Much happiness in your celebrations and many smiles as well!!!

A great big hug to all!!!

Corrections are welcome!

ah, por favor...digame que es el "double-click feature" (or do you mean the "traducir" button at the top? gracias! - tobyo, Dec 25, 2009

You can double-click on any word at this site and see the definition...you can even click on the quick definition and get the full dictionary entry. - webdunce, Dec 25, 2009

Answer 3

Brett - Que tarjeta mas linda! Muchisimas gracias, amigo, y que tengas una Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano! Cuidate mucho, y de vez en cuando escribenos unas cuatro palabras corriendo desde el otro lado del mundo...

Answer 4

Thanks for sharing this. Could you translate for those not-so-skilled learners?

I understood all but a couple words: el cole, la facu.

Muchas gracias y Prospero Año.

el colegio and la facultad.. the school = colegio and facultdad is either facutly or a specialized university, focusing on one major area of study - 003487d6, Dec 25, 2009

Answer 5

Good to see you, Brett! Thanks for sharing.

Answer 6

¡Qué bello!

Gracias por compartirlo con nosotros. ¡Y Feliz Navidad, por supuesto!

Answer 7

Thanks for posting this.

Your friend creates poetry out of shared experience.

This is charming and inspirational.

I'm headed off to compose a similar greeting to great friends far away in southern Mexico.

Answer 8

Agreed. I knew everything but cole and facu.