Wr¡t¡ng Span¡sh L¡ke a Drama Queen

Question

I searched through old Q&A's but couldn't find and answer to this, in particular. It's probably there, but not in the title of the question (whistles innocently). When I write in English, I often put two or three question marks or exclamation marks at the end when I'm excited/ thrilled/happy about whatever I'm writing (which is often! ).

So, do I put the same amount of ¡¡¡'s at the beginning of the sentence as on the end?

¡¡¡Este es uno perro feliz!!! This is one happy dog!!!

Would that be correct, or is only one "¡" needed at the beginning?

I think chileno is advising you to do the same in Spanish because he says "...if you want to do the opposite in Spanish.... I think you want to do the same in Spanish. Make sense? - Jubilado, Aug 8, 2013

Un perro feliz, jejeje? - annierats, Aug 8, 2013

Answer 1

You're only supposed to use one at the beginning. There's a Spanish celeb news show that I watch and they only use one when they title their videos. Examples:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhHcewvhGFY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uww5EOpX2x0
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqwVWLo-q8M

Muchas gracias, Liz! Also, those were easier to understand than the TV shows I've been attempting to watch. :) - Findy, Aug 8, 2013

Correct, but take into account that that's spanglish!!!!!!!!!!! lol - chileno, Aug 9, 2013

Yes, it's also much easier for me to understand too :) - lizarey, Aug 12, 2013

Answer 2

In theory, you should, but it would look weird at first, it was weird to see that in the beginning, in English, but people took it well.

I would leave it just like in English, because the adoption of doing that was to save the writing of extra words to express exhilaration etc. So now, if you want to do the opposite in Spanish it would defeat the whole purpose if expressing the same sentiment by adding extra characters instead of less.

Thanks, Chileno. So, you're saying just one "¡" at the beginning is ok? :) - Findy, Aug 8, 2013

Yes, which is the correct way. It wouldn't be any good to text ¡bueno!!!!!!! :-D sí? - chileno, Aug 8, 2013

hehe Thanks! :D - Findy, Aug 8, 2013

By the way, I was asking for post writing like for here, not text speak. :) I wouldn't put !!!'s in say, a business correspondence. Of course at the rate I'm going, it'll be some time before I'm ready for that! - Findy, Aug 8, 2013

Of course not... I understood, I said text because usually is where it is given, some people do not like to write badly in these type of forums (educational) ;) - chileno, Aug 9, 2013

Answer 3

Creo que los españoles escriben : jeje.

For what it's worth:

We don't ever write haha to strangers, but I have noticed that the Spanish put ''jeje '' when I might have put a double exclamation mark in English.

:D I think of "!!" as different to jeje or haha. - Findy, Aug 8, 2013

More like Wow! ?? :) - ian-hill, Aug 8, 2013

Yes. :D - Findy, Aug 16, 2013