Español Estadounidense

Question

Yo tengo mucho interés en el Español Estadounidense, especialmente aquel hablado en las calles de Miami y Los Ángeles. Quiero que ustedes me cuenten sobre jergas, expresiones, verbos, etcétera, que sean "exclusivas" o originadas en E.E. U.U. Por favor, que ustedes me puedan darme ejemplos.

Answer 1

Not to be a wet towel, but I would avoid the streets in Los Angeles. There are dangerous neighborhoods controlled by gangs etc. I'm sure you have that in Brazil too, Most places are safe, but not all, especially at night.

I think you will be ok with normal Spanish. Tio cañero was a good example of terms that can have unintended meanings. I would not try to use any pre-learned slang. Wait until you hear how it is actually used in conversation first, so you won't sound like a dork or retard.

I think BigMike said it well. Spanish speakers go back and forth between English and Spanish constantly so the two languages get mixed together a lot. If I'm talking to a stranger it will be in one language, but with a good friend that is bilingual we will mix it up. Little English, little Spanish, back and forth, it's a blast to talk that way.

Even amongst Spanish only speakers they will generally not speak pure Spanish. For example the popular fast food restaurant Taco Bell. No one would say "vamos a Taco Campaña" lol, you get the drift I'm sure.

So if you want to speak proper Spanish in the USA, better know some English : )))

I intentionally used some English slang so let me know if something sounds whacked.

Lol@Taco Campaña. - Helado_eclectico, Jan 9, 2014

Spanglish, ok, I just wanted examples of things that are used commonly by the Spanish-speaking popullation of the United States. - samrodrigue_z, Jan 9, 2014

Honestly I haven't heard much of it. Basically Slug - to hit, "te boy a sluggar, mis homies te sluggan tambien vato. ##!!*!. - dennywells, Jan 9, 2014

Make any English verb a Spanish verb by adding the Spanish ending; watch becomes watcho, or add an o or an a to any noun. If you hear it spoken, probably means you should go elsewhere. - dennywells, Jan 9, 2014

Gracias Amigos - samrodrigue_z, Jan 10, 2014

Answer 2

Quizás no sea siempre así, pero en mi experiencia, la mayoría de las jergas españoles que solamente se usan en los estadosunidos vienen de palabras de ingles. Algunos dirán que es español sucia, pero para mí, es así en todos los paises de los americas, los cuales han adaptado palabras de los habitantes originales de la región, entonces es de esperar que lo hayan hecho en los estados unidos también.