Malinche - an insult

Question

I just heard this word on a TV program. The dictionary says: mistress of Cortez. Does it have a strong meaning like the the "W" word?

Answer 1

La Malinche, whose name was Doña Marina, is kind of a polarizing figure in Mexican history, so it depends on who you ask. She was an Aztec, but had been sold to the Mayans. She helped translate for Cortez because she spoke Nahuatl and Maya, and later Spanish. So by some she is seen as a traitor to her people (personally I don't blame her that much, I mean, I wouldn't have too much loyalty to the people who sold me as a slave either). But yes, I would be a little careful when saying it.

Thank you. So more like traitor than whore. Not a word I would ever use as a non-native speaker but wanted to understand the meaning. Definitely an insult. - gringojrf, Feb 5, 2015

When I was reading La Malinche by Laura Esquivel it never occured to me to think of her as an evil scheming person or a traitor. But then I acknowledge that it was probably the author's intent to portray her as a leaf caught in the whirlpool of larger... - Manity, Feb 5, 2015

... events she couldn't control. A sensitive issue for sure. - Manity, Feb 5, 2015

I think she had akey role, absolutley amazing, really, a woman in those days, who got by by speaking languages...and more, of course. - annierats, Feb 5, 2015

Indeed a talented gifted woman, ans a brave one! - LuisCache, Feb 5, 2015

I think so too! - annierats, Feb 5, 2015

Answer 2

I think we would say ' a Quisling'..

Answer 3

Most mexicans also use "malinchista" and "malinchismo" as an insult, meaning that the person is behaving in a non patriotic way.

For instance if somene is not supporting the national soccer team in the world cup, would be considered as "malinchista".

But as BigMike stated, Malinche, Malintzin, o Doña Marina, was indeed a great woman, and we should be very proud of her!

Hernán Cortés and La Malinche meet mexica emperor Moctezuma II in Tenochtitlan, November 8, 1519. Facsimile (c. 1890) of Lienzo de Tlaxcala.

Thanks for the additioal variaions on the word. - gringojrf, Feb 5, 2015

Answer 4

whats the w word

Read my first comment under BigMike's answer. - gringojrf, Feb 6, 2015